Mell Kuhn was a contestant in the Men in Tights fundraiser for CASA last night. It's a cross-dressing beauty pagent that is a big hoot. I participated in 2006.
I give credit to anybody who has the courage to do this, and being goofy and off the wall is part of the fun. But ....
Kuhn's female persona was ... Smellishous Puhn. At one point, according to our reporter there, he told the crowd to see him perform later at Lizard Lounge with his band, the Puhntangs.
And on top off all that. He came as a black woman. Painting his face black.
I wasn't there so I don't know how it came off, but just the decision to use that name and come as a black woman has me shaking my head. CASA reminds participants to keep it family oriented and avoid vulgar or X-rated behavior. I'm surprised they let the name go. Apparently he was the judges favorite????
Mell has earned a reputation as outspoken and a populist, but also as boarish and impulsive. Personally I find him interesting to talk to. He doesn't seem to take criticism personally and he is candid, to say the least.
But for crying out loud ...
A novice's take on the local, state and national political scenes
Me
David Allen
- Politics 101
- All politics is local -Tip O'Neil
Best sites
Blog Archive
-
▼
2008
(200)
-
▼
September
(24)
- Smellishis ...
- Betts slams Tiahrt
- Tiahrt opposes bailout
- Our Mayor
- Tiahrt/McCain
- Betts on offense
- Rumors, religiousity, etc..
- Palin protection
- Kansas presidential race
- Betts in town
- Slattery sliding
- Bluegrass voters
- Trickle down?
- Why both?
- County taxes
- McTruth
- Sex ed
- Burr knocking
- Bias
- Rush to judgement?
- More on Palin's religious views
- The irony
- Wingnut or God's agent?
- Counter-intuitive
-
▼
September
(24)
17 comments:
Maybe someone will post a video of it to youtube and we will get Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in town with the NAACP in tow. That would be a nice economy booster.
That is atrocious, and he should be recalled for conduct unbecoming a person in his position!!!
Actually, I think the very first post on this topic speaks volumes. Say what you want, the dignity of a race and especially the female population of the race is still as open season as pheasant hunting in western Kansas.
some years ago in Ark City a, then, police chief responded to the report of a young black kid being run down on an Ark City street by a white male vehicle motorist who, just prior to the act yelled out the window of his car, "Hey, you f#@$ing ni****"
That chief's comment? I didn't do anything because I didn't think he was hurt that bad." Since then we see a military man - (had his name been McCain he would have been on track to become president in the future) return home only to be beaten and shot by police officers when he was clearly complying with every request. We asked if he perhaps was reaching for a gun even though there was no gun to be found then or later. Just a black service man returning home from defending our nation from the terrorists.
A black male victim in the progressive state of Texas is chained and dragged to his death behind a pickup and we debate if we have all the facts. "Was the more to the story that may have justified the murder?" some pondered.
So, I can see where it is fitting that, in our community, someone would make a trite comment about NAACP or Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton.
At least when you criticize and attempt to belittle those two men or the NAACP organization, they have a name that you can use. And it aint "Anonymous".
In a nation where we hail ourselves as the bastion for protecting human dignity, we should have outgrown mockery of race or even gender. I think the cross dressing spoof has outlived its usefulness also.
I disagree, however with the second anonymous comment about recall. I am a avid believer that we should honor our choices of elected officials.
We have simple majority rule system. Simple majority is what got him the mayor seat and only another election should be the reason for his being replaced. (Unless he commits a felony or fails to conduct the duties of the office) To my knowledge, no has stormed City Hall with arms and soldiers in some fashion of coup.
Unpopular or even politically incorrect behavior has no merit towards recall.
"So, I can see where it is fitting that, in our community, someone would make a trite comment about NAACP or Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton."
What makes you think they were being trite? Maybe they were serious. I think that you are looking so hard for perceived slights to you and your race that you see them where they don't exist.
I'm sure the mayor did intend for anything to be racially motivated...although I don't know for sure as I did not ask him. I think it's all a matter of perception as to rather someone believes it is or isn't. If it is that is really sad. If it's not kudos for him to get out and do something in the community where you look like an idiot and raise money for a good cause.
He could have looked like just as big an idiot, and raised just as much money, using his natural skin color instead of dressing as a black woman, and then calling her an offensive, vulgar, name.
I just don't see any way for him to justify that. Bad decision on his part.
I'm embarrassed, by the mayor's actions "and" the response of the people.
It is NOT acceptable.
Can we just call it over the top and leave it at that? The question is, was the audience laughing? What was the spirit of the delivery? I'm not saying that laughing makes it right but it's a lot like the comic from Seinfeld who got booed and hissed out of the nightclub for his comments. They were totally inappropriate and uncalled for and the audience rightly censured him on the spot.
I understand and mostly agree with Charles' comments about appropriate levity. At the same time it is after all M. Kuhn. He could have dressed up as any woman and brought enormous laughter. It would have been far better if he'd have been Rosie Odonnel. He didn't need the rancid name or the dark make-up. This is the spoilsome part. All in all I'm sure it was all meant in good jest.
Sharpton really is a buffoon. He might have done some good things for the cause in the past but that was a LONG time ago. I've heard both of them (Jessee and Al) referred to as race baiting poverty pimps. This seems pretty accurate. It is a different brand of venom than Farakan's but not much more seemly. I think blacks in America would be way better off without any of them. If only they were as reasonable as Charles or Bill Cosby.
No.
The point is: Mayor or No Mayor,
it is unnacceptable.
But this is the problem our country faces... it's funny- laugh!
It doesn't matter who it hurts or why they hurt.
If they laughed, they probably thought it was an honorable ordeal.
Again, shame on Mel Kuhn... and shame on those who would stoop so low as to defend him.
Doesn't Commissioner McDonald post any more?
"Anonymous said...
I think that you are looking so hard for perceived slights to you and your race that you see them where they don't exist."
The fact that this is what you think I think does not validate it s what I think. I apologize to you if I did not or do not by your standard articulate what I think.
However, I prefer to state my own thoughts and not to have others restate them.
As for the relevance or veracity of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or any other of those provocateurs who dare to challenge status quo and are unafraid to endure criticism, mockery or scorn, I still offer that their contribution to society as a whole is more meritorious than one who snipes from the veil of anonymity.
What makes an opinion of any worth is that the opinion has an owner.
"I think blacks in America would be way better off without any of them."
I always wondered why they put the "Rev." in front of their name.
What a horrible way for a person in the public eye, who represents our city, to conduct himself.
SHAME ON YOU MAYOR!
I'm not interested in political correctness ad nauseam, but there is no other way to phrase this except this was a really, Bad idea...
What makes you think they were being trite? Maybe they were serious. I think that you are looking so hard for perceived slights to you and your race that you see them where they don't exist.
Sharpton really is a buffoon. He might have done some good things for the cause in the past but that was a LONG time ago. I've heard both of them (Jesse and Al) referred to as race baiting poverty pimps.
I like Charles He Has ba##s. He puts his name out there for what he believes, but what is his race and does everyone here no him, but are afraid to let him know who is backstabbing him cause you want him to think you are his friend, if you do call him your friend then let him know who is responding to his comments a real friend would speak straight and let him know how you really feel when not in his presence.
Now to the 91% of you who does not have a real good friend of the other 8% of Ark Citizens go out and talk to them and see how they feel about this type of joke today!!
Jesse and Al are sort of like the police but better for minorities they get the news after the fact but they try very very hard to find the right solution for the country/ I do not understand how you can race bate if you only respond to a crisis. Bating requires you put some thing in the water first. I am sure they did not say hook him to a truck a drag him to death or out an illegal hangman’s loop on a tree to discourage blacks so we can come make us popular in AMERICA (RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT i THINK SO)
jus' wonderin' said...
I always wondered why they put the "Rev." in front of their name.
September 29, 2008 9:19 PM
You jus keep on wonderin and wonderin and keep plentyof band aids handy for your head while you wonderin BLAH and listen for sounds of small marbles in the water too!! You gotta be kidding, these guy's do work in other place that public behaves (behalf)
Oh my god,sit back and just read what you all are writing. Then think about it. I know this may be out of the norm "THINK" for Ark City but it looks to me, just the normal Ark City whining. But I am sure that you would all be lined up to write your atrocious coments if a black woman dressed up as a white man. If you knew what the slang word meant, How did you know? Maybe your morals could be questioned, think about it, It should bring you back down to earth huh. Did ayone really get hurt? maybe sore ribs from laughing too hard.
Post a Comment