In Norfolk, Nebraska, a Fourth of July parade float that featured an outhouse labeled the “Obama Presidential Library” has become a hot item on social media.
The float sat atop a flatbed trailer behind a blue pickup truck. A figure wearing overalls whose hands and head were painted green, with its hands pressed to its head, stood in front of the outhouse. The float was sprinkled with American flags.
According to the World-Herald, Norfolk resident Glory Kathurima emailed Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman, the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, the Norfolk Daily News, and the Norfolk Odd Fellows Lodge, which coordinated the parade and gave final approval to the floats, to complain. The World-Herald reported that, “as a black woman living in Norfolk,” she found the float offensive.
A few others emailed the World-Herald to complain; the Nebraska Democratic Party predictably stated the float was one of the “worst shows of racism and disrespect for the office of the presidency that Nebraska has ever seen.” Norfolk City Councilman Dick Pfeil said, “The City of Norfolk doesn’t condone that,” but added that the Odd Fellows Lodge was responsible for approving the floats.
Parade committee member Rick Konopasek told the Lincoln Journal-Star that the float was simply a political cartoon and added that the float was the most popular float in the parade. It won an honorable mention award from three judges.
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