![]() ![]() Clergy here in Philadelphia and across the nation are continuing their vigilance in opposing the sale of this game until it is removed from the Internet. "While they took it off the shelves, they did not take it off the Internet. Ghettoopoly Ghettopoly Ghetto Monopoly Highly Collectible Monopoly GameSome thought the game was tasteless and offensive due to its racial overtones. Ghettoopoly Ghettopoly Ghetto Monopoly Highly Collectible Monopoly Game Amazon: Ghettoopoly Ghettopoly Ghetto Monopoly Highly Some thought the game was 'tasteless' and 'offensive' due to its racial overtones. Chang told The Associated Press that he intends to fight the lawsuit.Īccording to Shine, he and others have attempted to contact and meet with Chang, but Chang has not agreed to do so.Ĭhang's Web site also advertises new games "coming soon," including "Hoodopoly," "Hiphopoly," "Thugopoly" and "Redneckopoly."Īnd although the company agreed to remove the game from its shelves, its opponents say they will continue to lobby against it. Specifically, he noted that it employed "characterizations of African Americans," including women, that presented them in a "denigrating manner" and a "demeaning way."ĭespite controversy over the board game, its creator states on its Web site that "Ghettopoly is controversial because it's both fun and real life."Ĭhang is currently facing a lawsuit filed by Hasbro, Inc., the company that produces Monopoly. ![]() "We are offended," he said, explaining that the game "expressed a racist mentality." Robert Shine Sr., president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, described the situation as sparking "a firestorm of opposition against the game across the nation." Many protesters were most offended by figures labeled "Malcum X" and "Martin Luthor King Jr." The names were intentionally misspelled by the game's creator, David Chang, who lives in Pennsylvania. Florida chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also called for the company to stop selling the game. In Chicago, members of the black clergy called for a boycott of Urban Outfitters. The protest was organized by the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, the Father's Day Rally Committee and Men United for a Better Philadelphia. Members of Philadelphia's black community protested outside Urban Outfitters' headquarters at 16th and Walnut streets on Oct. "He does not endorse or approve of the product." "Sam was pleased that did the right thing in pulling the game off shelves," Raab said. The game incorporates stereotypes of blacks as well as other minority groups, including Jews and Asians.Ĭontroversy over the game has even extended as far as Philadelphia politics, since the owner of Urban Outfitters is a contributor to the campaign of Sam Katz, the Republican candidate for mayor, according to his spokesman, Nate Raab. Squares on the Ghettopoly board are labeled Smitty's XXX Peep Show, Weinstein's Gold and Platinum and Tyron's Gun Shop. "Playas" buy crack houses and properties including Westside Liquor, Harlem, The Bronx and Long Beach City. The controversial spin-off of Monopoly can still be purchased from its Web site, however, at Ghettopoly game pieces include a marijuana leaf and a machine gun in place of the traditional Monopoly top hat and car. Under pressure, the national chain finally pulled the game from its stores.ĭescription "Stolen Property Fencing Game from Inc " Monopoly-like game with board, paper money and cards, plastic and metal pieces, and dice.An employee at the Urban Outfitter's location on campus, at 36th and Walnut streets, who did not want her name published, said she could not comment on the game, but confirmed that it had been removed from the store's shelves, as well as those at other locations. Ghettopoly - based on a traditional Monopoly family board game - became an instant hit when it went on sale on the internet and in shops across America and in Europe earlier this year. Kweisi Mfume, President of the NAACP, condemned the game as "a racist and bigoted product attempting to hide behind the cloak of entertainment." Protestors, including Yale students and members of the local NAACP, gathered in front of Urban Outfitters stores, where games were flying off the shelves. Though intended as humorous rather than degrading, the game provoked outrage in many circles. In place of Boardwalk and Park Place are properties such as Ray Ray's Chicken and Ribs and Smitty's XXX Peep Show. from Taiwan at age eight, Ghettopoly reinterprets Monopoly for the inner city, with "playas" seeking to acquire enough crack houses so they can create a "project" on their property. Developed by David Chang, a 28-year-old who came to the U.S. In October 2003, the New York Times reported on heated opposition to the new game "Ghettopoly," which was being sold at Urban Outfitters stores throughout the region. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |