St. Paul police officer who dressed as Muslim woman has apologized. More at 6:00 on @kare11.
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Julie Nelson (@JulieNelsonKARE) February 05, 2013Saint Paul, Minn., Police Chief Tom Smith today issued a statement to appease critics offended by a photo of an off-duty police officer wearing a hijab costume. The photo, posted to Instagram several weeks ago but recently discovered, offended some Muslims who launched a #CultureNotCostume hashtag in protest.
St. Paul Police (@sppdPIO) says it's investigating an alleged policeman dressed as a Somali woman. #CultureNotCostume http://t.co/PEftUNUV—
Mukhtar Ibrahim (@mukhtaryare) February 04, 2013
Sometimes people genuinely don't realize they're being racist. But once called out, please have the courage to apologize. #CultureNOTCostume—
Sarah Dar (@sarah_dar) February 04, 2013
It is never funny, nor appropriate to mock someone's cultural identity. Solidarity! #CultureNOTCostume—
KHob (@khobson651) February 04, 2013
We need to consider the consequences of reducing entire communities to a set of props & qualities #CultureNOTCostume #misrepresentation—
Ramla Bile (@ramlabile) February 05, 2013
Glad this is getting the attention it needs, we don't find this funny and won't except it!
twincities.com/crime/ci_22515…
#CultureNOTCostume—
Ilhan (@ilhan_omar) February 05, 2013
Would've loved to see coverage on why this is offensive since many don't seem to get it. There's an info gap #prevtweet #CultureNOTCostume—
Ramla Bile (@ramlabile) February 05, 2013
Saint Paul Police Chief Smith reacts to Officer Buth's apology: #culturenotcostume tinyurl.com/bcedlpb—
St. Paul Police PIO (@sppdPIO) February 05, 2013
Smith wrote:
I respect Officer Buth’s efforts to apologize to those who may have been offended by the recently publicized photo of him. I believe his apology is sincere and that he will work to correct any negative perceptions brought about by the image.
In his 13-year career with the Saint Paul Police Department, Officer Buth has been recognized by our communities for his service. We expect that he will once again draw upon those experiences as he works to rebuild their trust.
Officer Buth’s apology also signifies an understanding that as a Saint Paul police officer, we are responsible for our actions both while on-duty and off-duty.