New in PJ Media:
The New York Times, that intrepid warrior for anything and everything that the Left is hysterical about, on Friday published a lengthy piece about a source of systemic racism that no one has ever noticed before: It seems that equestrian helmets are racist because they don’t accommodate the dreadlocks that some black horse riders wear. One black rider’s mother lamented: “Mostly everything in this sport isn’t designed for us.” Well, that’s got to change, and these Jackie Robinsons of the Coiffure, with the Times’ generous help, are leading the way to the Equestrian Helmet Justice that our society so desperately needs.
Chanel Robbins, the Times tells us solemnly, “has been riding horses most of her life, ever since her grandmother traded a cow from their family’s farm in Ontario for a pony when she was 7.” Horse riding “offered an escape from thoughts that weighed on her,” which included the fact that “she was the only Black girl in the neighborhood.” But when she grew dreadlocks, her helmet didn’t fit anymore, and that, as you must know by now, is racist.
Fighting back tears (really, the Times actually said she was), Robbins said: “I finally freaking feel like myself, and now society is asking me to change. I just want to be able to ride.” How dare Whitey do this! Is there nothing to which he will not stoop? Poor Chanel Robbins can only find relief on the back of a horse from the systemic racism that confronts her every hour in Amerikkka, but now Whitey has taken even that away!
The Times generously ascribes this not to malice, but to callous indifference: “Black equestrians have long felt virtually invisible in a sport that remains overwhelmingly white. For those with natural hair, which for many is a declaration of pride and Black identity, finding a helmet that fits properly can be nearly impossible, creating yet another barrier to full inclusion.” Big Helmet (ah, but not big enough) is just as indifferent to their plight as Whitey in general: “Some are now lobbying for change, mindful that horseback riding is among the leading causes of sports-related traumatic brain injury. The helmet companies say there isn’t a simple fix.”
Well, yeah. What are the helmet companies going to do, make the helmets three feet wide? This most first-world of all first-world problems brings Oscar Gamble to mind. Baseball fans of a certain age will remember Mr. Gamble, who played major league baseball in the 1970s while sporting an Afro of truly awe-inspiring proportions. In my neighborhood, baseball cards featuring Oscar Gamble with his baseball cap stuck on the massive thing, making his head and hair look like three planets of roughly similar size orbiting in close proximity to one another, were a coveted commodity.
There is more. Read the rest here.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
No, it’s not the most ridiculous story. The most ridiculous story is that of highways being racist, or babies being racist: nothing beats that one as yet
Dan says
Having spent some 40 years ranching, riding horses ever since I can remember, not ONCE did I, or any other cowboy I knew, even when competing in rodeo, wear a helmet.
Take the dang thing off ya wimp.
Keith O says
Gotta agree Dan, we have had Aboriginal stockmen here for over a 100 years and the most I’ve ever seen them wear in protective gear is a pair of sunglasses.
Bunch of whinging, sooks.
Brigitte from Germany says
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/ukraine_stolen_children_loc/?slideshow
Can you sign and share this important petition please?
Thanks a lot.
Phil Copson says
Anyone who thinks that an over-sized, loose-fitting helmet will actually offer any protection – is too stupid to be in charge of a horse.
mobuyus says
May even snap their necks.
Comacine says
So, what about beards and respirators? Piercings and hearing protection? Work gloves vs dress gloves? The list of racist conundrums is endless.
alexreid says
In UK here, they’re even trying to make the Countryside Racist!! how can trees, bushes, rivers & streams be Racist? I’d like to these dudes get up at 4.00A.M. to milk cows & start other Farming chores! Missing out on discos & City Life etc. What a bunch of moronic D*ckheads!!
What really gets my goat is the MSM et are trying to make this utter bilge into a justified grievance.
I’d like to see a dreadlocked USMC Recruit arriving at Parris Island & telling the DI Staff, “Hey man, gotta keep the dreadlocks, man. It’s part of my culture, my identity, man.”
OLD GUY says
Drop down and give me fifty shit head.
Brenrod says
looks like they should take the opportunities of capitalism and manufacture the helmets themselves. Surely they will make a fortune supplying all the dreadlocks riders with the special hats.