University of Washington The University of Washington is facing some backlash for an infographic it posted on Tuesday giving advice for those interested in their cheerleader tryouts.
Give me an OOPS!
The University of Washington gave its students tone-deaf tips on what to do during its cheerleading tryouts on Tuesday.
On the graphic's do's and don't's, it encouraged prospective cheerleaders to come in with a bronze, beachy glow, a natural tan or a spray tan, with a physically fit, athletic physique.
Any cheerleaders that had jewelry, visible tattoos, or ponytails fell under the "DON'T" category.
The graphic wasn't any help for anything beyond physical appearance — which also encouraged women to put on false lashes and a "girl about town" lipstick.
The picture has since been removed from the University of Washington Cheerleading's Facebook page, but not before the social media backlash unfolded.
"An advertisement such as this completely objectifies women and creates barriers that only perpetuates the inaccessibility of opportunities that should be open for every student on this campus," the Associated Students of the University of Washington[1] wrote in a Facebook post.
"They've since taken it down, but I'm sharing it again to ensure that the University of Washington addresses the overt racism," Clay Thompson, a Seattle resident, wrote on his Facebook page.[2]
Collegiate Images/Collegiate Images/Getty Images The University of Washington's athletics department removed the picture shortly after it was posted, but not before the social media backlash.
"I can't believe someone thought this was acceptable to create, let alone actually post," one commenter wrote on the reposted image.
Others in the comments were confused at what "girl about town" lipstick was, and frustrated that the graphic reduced cheerleading to just a person's looks.
"When I was a cheerleader we worked so hard to be considered a sport. This infographic goes against what we fought for," Leslie Martinka replied on the post.
The graphic was originally posted in response to a high demand of questions from students preparing for the tryouts, Carter Henderson, a University of Washington's athletics department spokesman, said in a statement.
"The graphic was immediately removed, after a UW athletic department official saw it and determined that some of the details and descriptions provided were inconsistent with the values of the UW spirit program and department of athletics," the statement read.
University officials declined to comment further on the controversial infographic.
References
- ^ the Associated Students of the University of Washington (www.facebook.com)
- ^ wrote on his Facebook page. (www.facebook.com)
- ^ ang@nydailynews.com< small> (www.nydailynews.com)
- ^ discrimination (www.nydailynews.com)
- ^ washington (www.nydailynews.com)
