“Originality,” redefined

I guess if you work for the DHS, a black man in prison stripes not in jail is original:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The employee who wore what some said was a racially insensitive Halloween costume to a party hosted by a top immigration official is being directed by the Homeland Security Department Secretary to take administrative leave.

Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, called the man’s costume “offensive.” The employee’s leave will continue while a Department inquiry is conducted, according to Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The employee wore a striped prison outfit, dreadlocks and darkened skin make-up to the party hosted by Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Myers was on a three-judge panel that originally praised the prisoner costume for “originality.”

After some employees complained, Myers apologized for “a few of the costumes,” calling them “inappropriate and offensive.” She said she and other senior managers “deeply regret that this happened.” A department photographer took a picture of Myers with the man, but the photograph or photographs, originally posted online, were deleted after it was determined the costume was offensive, ICE spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said.

How long before those photos get circulated?

Nantel said one employee, whom she declined to identify, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison outfit, dreadlocks and a skin “bronzer” intended “to make him look African-American.” But, she said, it was not immediately apparent that he was wearing the make-up.

“Most people in the room didn’t realize he was wearing make-up at all,” she said.

In a November 2 email to ICE employees, Myers said, “It is now clear that, however unintended, a few of the costumes were inappropriate and offensive. While we were all thrilled to be a part of the CFC fund-raising effort, I and the senior management at ICE deeply regret that this happened.”

She reminded all employees to be compliant with the department’s diversity training requirement.

… so next time, add some diversity to your prisoner outfits.

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