Community Corner
Mummers Wear Blackface, Get Disqualified From Competition
The Froggy Carr mummers group was disqualified after two members were wearing blackface during the parade Wednesday.
PHILADELPHIA — A pair of mummers in the parade Wednesday were in black face, and that got their group disqualified from the competition.
The Froggy Carr group was booted from the competition at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Wednesday night after at least two members were wearing black face in the parade.
In addition to being kicked out of the competition, the blackface drew criticism from Mayor Jim Kenney, calling it abhorrent and saying the group could face further repercussion.
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The use of blackface by someone affiliated with Froggy Carr today was abhorrent and unacceptable. This selfish, hateful behavior has no place in the Mummers, or the city itself. We must be better than this. The group was disqualified and we will be exploring additional penalties.
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) January 1, 2020
According to CBS Philadelphia, two men in blackface were Mike Tomaszwski and Kevin Kinkel, both of whom said the paint was not racist as the group's theme was Gritty, with members wearing orange and black.
Blackface and Trump signs spotted at the #Mummers parade! pic.twitter.com/tuMK251zsX
— Joshua Albert (@jpegjoshua) January 1, 2020
Action News reports while the group has only 120 actual members, more than 500 participated in the parade so controlling what everyone wears is difficult.
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According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the city has required racial-sensitivity training for some Mummers and have reviewed parade plans.
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