Elite Montreal Business School Hautes Études Commerciales Apologizes for Blackface Mockery of Usain Bolt

Students at elite Montreal business school, Hautes Études Commerciales, under fire for blackface mockery of Jamaicans, including Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

A group of students at elite Hautes Études Commerciales, the Université de Montréal’s business school, have engaged in racist behavior after they painted themselves in blackface and chanted in mock Jamaican accents at a back-to-school event and even mocking Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. The university has issued a statement expressing its regret. Um, you would think that someone who is a student at an elite business school would have some COMMON SENSE.

The frosh-week stunt was organized by a student sports committee at the Hautes Études Commerciales, the Université de Montréal’s business school. Participants were encouraged to dress in Olympic-themed costumes, with one group choosing to portray Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

Along with donning the colours of the Jamaican flag, several students also covered their face, arms and legs in black paint. The colourful attire included at least one Rastafarian hat, one green underwear patterned with monkey faces, and a stuffed animal that students carried around.

One witness, who is of Jamaican descent, said he felt uncomfortable and was shocked to hear some students chanting, “Smoke more weed.” At one point the students also repeatedly chanted, “Ya man!” Source: The Star

This was deeply offensive and disturbing on so many levels. As someone who was born in Jamaica, I find it racist and degrading not only because Jamaica has made a significant contribution to the world of sports and music, but because it is just plain wrong and insensitive. Usain Bolt, or any black person for that matter, should not be denigrated and reduced to a mockery.