On this date in 2003, protesters gathered outside an Urban Outfitters store in Philadelphia, PA., to protest a racist board game being sold at the store.
The racial issue centered on the 'Ghettopoly' board game that had many in the Black community outraged. Players act like pimps in the game, and game cards read, “You got yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack. Collect $50.” Properties in the game include West Side Liquor, Harlem, The Bronx, and Long Beach City. A local NAACP and Black clergy called the game offensively racist.
The game's creator, David Chang, from St. Marys, Pa., said, "It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter. . . . If we can't laugh at ourselves... we'll continue to live in blame and bitterness."
Chang created more games, such as Hoodopoly, Hiphopopoly, Thugopoly, and Redneckopoly, but all of the games are now banned thanks to a lawsuit by Hasbro Company, the maker of Monopoly. Chang's website has been removed.
