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Is Banning the Vuvuzela Racist?
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 20, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 20, 2010
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Now that there's an app for that, City Councilman Charles Barron (running for Governor because all the other candidates are white) told the Daily News he thinks any attempt to ban the vuvuzela is racist. Even if he has no idea what they are.
It's clear from the video that Barron has never heard of a vuvuzela before. The reporter behind the video camera has to explain that they are "traditional horns that are played during the South African World Cup matches that has this droning, one note sound." The reporter told Barron he doesn't know if the trend originated in South Africa, but when informed that it is popular in the country, Barron says, "Absolutely that is racist, because if that's something that comes out of our culture, it's in our country, South Africa, then we have a right and you have to adopt to the culture and the traditions of the country that's hosting the games." Actually, it apparently originated in Mexico, though ties to Zulu history have been debated.
According to Esquire, a full stadium of vuvuzelas can produce a B flat drone up to 127 decibels, just under the noise produced by a handgun shot. Anything over 125 dB can cause physical pain, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration says 15 minutes of exposure to 110 dB is "incredibly dangerous." If that's the case, watch out for Vuvuzela Guy.
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