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Hopeford · May 27, 2017

I'm pleasantly surprised about my hobby right now. For some quick background, Scott Harkey is the co-owner of Sword Masters, who are(well, were) the "Official Repair Center/Armorer of USA Fencing."

He posted this:

Followed by doubling down on it once called out, refusing to apologize and being generally...quite confrontational with people, to put it mildly. I'll skip the details, but basically imagine someone doubling down on the above picture with its logical conclusion. It's not the first time he has posted racist things.

Fencers started a petition regarding Sword Masters and to my surprise, USAF actually took it very seriously and immediately severed the contract. Like, I never expect petitions to be successful.

Here's the petition:

On May 24th, 2017, the co-owner of Sword Masters, Scott Harkey, publicly posted to his Facebook account the following status:

"Isn't it nice to have a first lady that's fluent in five languages and not just two... By 2 I mean English and Ebonics."

The intent of this petition has nothing to do with Mr. Harkey's political affiliation; the intent of this petition is rooted in a desire to protect athletes of all ages from the blatant racism Mr. Harkey has displayed.

As we stood together and proudly showed support for our first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing in the Olympics, we must also stand together against allowing anyone who holds racist beliefs to profit from our athletes.

We, the members of the US Fencing Assocation, request the following:

1. That the contract with Sword Masters as the "Official Repair Center/Armorer of USA Fencing" be immediately terminated.

2. That Sword Masters issue a formal and public apology to all POC fencers in the community.

3. In the event that an apology is not forthcoming from Sword Masters, that Sword Masters be immediately and indefinitely banned from vending at any and all USFA sanctioned events.

As the first-ever 2015 recipient of the USOC's "Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Ward", we trust that USA Fencing will act swiftly and sternly to let it be known that racism will not be tolerated at any level.

https://www.change.org/p/a-call-for...ing-and-sword-masters?source_location=minibar

And here's the USAF response:

Effective immediately, Sword Masters LLC is no longer the Official Weapon Repair provider for USA Fencing and will not be serving in that capacity at the USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge or in advertisements or other media.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be made available in the coming weeks to fencing equipment companies who are interested in forming a partnership with USA Fencing beginning with the 2017-18 season.

http://www.usfencing.org/news_article/show/797046?referrer_id=2272806

When this first happened I was actually kind of down that this would happen in the fencing community. Black friend of mine who fences in the US was even more depressed because...yeeeeah. But now I'm just happy that the petition gathered a ridiculous amount of steam and actually led to USAF immediately taking action to keep the sport inclusive happened and like, that's awesome.

I don't know if GAF will care about this since it's about a niche sport, but I'm very pleased with how this was handled and basically needed to talk about it haha.

Poppy · May 27, 2017

EDIT: WRONG TYPE OF FENCING

uh, screw that guy. yep

Slayven · May 27, 2017

Damn, what can you say

Kard8p3 · May 27, 2017

Oh man did the guy say anything after the contract got cut? Would love to see that.

Hopeford · May 27, 2017

Poppy said:
EDIT: WRONG TYPE OF FENCING

uh, screw that guy. yep

Haha, you should've kept your original post, it was pretty funny and I thought it was intentional!

Kard8p3 said:
Oh man did the guy say anything after the contract got cut? Would love to see that.

Couple before this was announced he gave a "I'm sorry you're offended" apology, though I don't know if he knew he had been fired yet. He was cut at 1 AM today, so there's a chance he didn't even know around that time -- USAF basically worked around the clock to react as quickly as possible to set a precedent.

Darth Pinche · May 27, 2017

The organization's swift response actually makes me want to try fencing. Good job!

Poppy · May 27, 2017

Hopeford said:
Haha, you should've kept your original post, it was pretty funny and I thought it was intentional!

it was my one shot at first post fame and i blew it, im gonna go hide in the shame hut for a week

UnemployedVillain · May 27, 2017

Tagyhag · May 27, 2017

Lol I first thought of wall fences too.

Very cool of the organization to step up and take that petition seriously. That dude is a dumbass.

xxracerxx · May 27, 2017

Fucking hell at that comment.

Vincent Alexander · May 27, 2017

When you say immediate...how fast we talking? The page keeps loading to white for me.

akira28 · May 27, 2017

I'm impressed. Fencing should become the new tap lessons.

AlexFlame116 · May 27, 2017

That WAS quick! Good on them! I'm glad that it was an actual punishment instead of a slap on the wrist.

Please tell me the guy responded to the termination!

Hopeford · May 27, 2017

Vincent Alexander said:
When you say immediate...how fast we talking? The page keeps loading to white for me.

It was less than 48 hours from comment to firing. I can get a more exact timer later, have to look up when exactly that was posted.

wandering · May 27, 2017

Hopeford said:
It was less than 48 hours from comment to firing. I can get a more exact timer later, have to look up when exactly that was posted.

Well, fencing has always been about quick reaction times.

GoldenEye 007 · May 27, 2017

Vincent Alexander said:
When you say immediate...how fast we talking? The page keeps loading to white for me.

The page announcing firing the company and requesting RFPs loaded fine for me. It's definitely up there.

Vital Tundra · May 27, 2017

Got damn! Get fucked!

Vincent Alexander · May 27, 2017

Hopeford said:
It was less than 48 hours from comment to firing. I can get a more exact timer later, have to look up when exactly that was posted.

Wow, that is quick.

GoldenEye 007 said:
The page announcing firing the company and requesting RFPs loaded fine for me. It's definitely up there.

Well....that isn't a good sign for my phone.

BlazinSkatinAxel · May 27, 2017

Poppy said:
EDIT: WRONG TYPE OF FENCING

uh, screw that guy. yep

You must've thought it was this type of fencing...

http://hypebeast.com/image/2016/09/fences-trailer-denzel-washington-0.jpg

mike6467 · May 27, 2017

I've seen FB posts to this effect and it blows my mind. Glad to see they didn't give him a leg to stand on, you've got to be pretty dense to think posting that is a good idea. Jesus.

Darth Pinche · May 27, 2017

AlexFlame116 said:
That WAS quick! Good on them! I'm glad that it was an actual punishment instead of a slap on the wrist.

Please tell me the guy responded to the termination!

Yes the dude posted this on his facebook:

"I would like to apologize to those of you who have been offended by my comment on facebook. I do accept full responsibility for my comment and ask for you to all forgive me as try to be a better person."

ha ha, enjoy your business going to shit now! Dat backpedal.

blackflag · May 27, 2017

USA fencing is awesome

Also saw this on facebook

"The co-owner of Swordmaster, a fencing equipment distributor has done it again. He made anti-semetic comments to my face once upon a time. And, now racist comments against our former first Lady. When he was insulting to me, I was not in a position to do much. But, now we have public proof of his racism.

USFA needs to terminate his contract as armorer. Because of his behavior to me in the past, I have been loath to have my students buy from him or have him help them.

He does NOT represent the values of USFA who supports people like Ibti Mohammad, the first US citizen to wear a hajib into competition!

USFA members, over the age of 18, please consider signing this petition!"

Gordon Shumway · May 27, 2017

Fuck em..

Averon · May 27, 2017

I still don't get why people still think they can say whatever dumb, offensive shit that crosses their mind on social media (usually Twitter) and not think they will soon be jobless.

I cannot count the number of stories over the past several years of idiots showing their asses for all to see and then getting fired.

BlazinSkatinAxel · May 27, 2017

Kard8p3 said:
Oh man did the guy say anything after the contract got cut? Would love to see that.

Here's his response...

https://www.facebook.com/scott.harkey.12/posts/10213152225866205

I would like to apologize to those of you who have been offended by my comment on facebook. I do accept full responsibility for my comment and ask for you to all forgive me as try to be a better person.

Every bigot is a bad mfer until they get punched in the pockets.

GoldenEye 007 · May 27, 2017

blackflag said:
USA fencing is awesome

Also saw this on facebook

"The co-owner of Swordmaster, a fencing equipment distributor has done it again. He made anti-semetic comments to my face once upon a time. And, now racist comments against our former first Lady. When he was insulting to me, I was not in a position to do much. But, now we have public proof of his racism.

USFA needs to terminate his contract as armorer. Because of his behavior to me in the past, I have been loath to have my students buy from him or have him help them.

He does NOT represent the values of USFA who supports people like Ibti Mohammad, the first US citizen to wear a hajib into competition!

USFA members, over the age of 18, please consider signing this petition!"

They've already fired them and are actively asking for RFPs.

Dude Abides · May 27, 2017

Lol at trophy wife model Melania being smarter than Princeton and Harvard educated Michelle.

RinsFury · May 27, 2017

Good. Fuck that racist piece of shit, hope his company goes out of business and he ends up bankrupt.

PyroPaperPlanes · May 27, 2017

Poppy said:
it was my one shot at first post fame and i blew it, im gonna go hide in the shame hut for a week

For what it's worth, your posts are still entertaining.

ArkkAngel007 · May 27, 2017

Not the type of fencing combat I engage in (SCA), but I'm all the same happy to hear of this given how every day that type of dialogue seems more and more acceptable in this country.

Shame for any employees there that don't share those views, but hopefully they'll get new and better positions elsewhere when Sword Masters LLC goes rightfully under.

Edit: Or he and his ilk leave the company.

Vicetrailia · May 27, 2017

Excellent. Fuck of racist.

Hopeford · May 27, 2017

RinsFury said:
Good. Fuck that racist piece of shit, hope his company goes out of business and he ends up bankrupt.

I don't necessarily want the company to go out of business because there's some good people working there too who suffer from his views more than anybody else. What I do wish is that he'd leave the company.

border · May 27, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/scott.harkey.12

"I would like to apologize to those of you who have been offended by my comment on facebook. I do accept full responsibility for my comment and ask for you to all forgive me as try to be a better person."

Other highlights from his Facebook:

Fake news story about Seth Rich from Washex.am
Picture of giant gun with caption "Bad Guys Don't Ring Doorbells"
"Shouldn't people on welfare have to remain drug free to keep their benefits?"

water_wendi · May 27, 2017

Cant wait for him to get a million dollars in donations so he can retire early.

jrush64 · May 27, 2017

Is he really comparing Princeton and Harvard graduate Michelle Obama to Melania?

Melkezadek · May 27, 2017

border said:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.harkey.12

"I would like to apologize to those of you who have been offended by my comment on facebook. I do accept full responsibility for my comment and ask for you to all forgive me as try to be a better person."

Other highlights from his Facebook:

Fake news story about Seth Rich from Washex.am
Picture of giant gun with caption "Bad Guys Don't Ring Doorbells"
"Shouldn't people on welfare have to remain drug free to keep their benefits?"

Lol they really all think and act the same. So typical.

Hopeford · May 27, 2017

And yeah he deleted his original post so it's hard to get an exact timer on post-firing. It was definitely within 48 hours though. My best guess is around just over a day to be honest.

Poppy said:
it was my one shot at first post fame and i blew it, im gonna go hide in the shame hut for a week

There's still time! We can all agree to pretend it was never edited!

blackflag · May 27, 2017

GoldenEye 007 said:
They've already fired them and are actively asking for RFPs.

I know, I just posted to show that apparently he's done it before to people's faces.

Majine · May 27, 2017

I wonder if the amount of racist posts and following repercussions have increased since Trump came to power.

Slayven · May 27, 2017

border said:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.harkey.12

"I would like to apologize to those of you who have been offended by my comment on facebook. I do accept full responsibility for my comment and ask for you to all forgive me as try to be a better person."

Other highlights from his Facebook:

Fake news story about Seth Rich from Washex.am
Picture of giant gun with caption "Bad Guys Don't Ring Doorbells"
"Shouldn't people on welfare have to remain drug free to keep their benefits?"

You forgot "civil war wasn't about slavery"

Johndoey · May 27, 2017

Congrats to the dumbass on wrecking his own livelihood.

norm9 · May 27, 2017

Lol. Real Americans don't apologize. They double down until the end.

tuxfool · May 27, 2017

Why would somebody that provides equipment for a niche sport be so fucking dumb as to spout his nonsense in public?

Especially stupid if he is supplying an official organization that represents a wide variety of people in the sport.

Aselith · May 27, 2017

Just jokes guys lol

shame.jpg

Emperor_Uriel · May 27, 2017

It's like these people think "My life is going too smoothly, how can I completely destroy my image in a very public and easily documented manner?"

LizardKing · May 27, 2017

dallow_bg · May 27, 2017

Slayven said:
You forgot "civil war wasn't about slavery"

Yeah, my eyes couldn't roll hard enough. Holy crap.

TetraGenesis · May 27, 2017

Majine said:
I wonder if the amount of racist posts and following repercussions have increased since Trump came to power.

They absolutely have.

I say 'bring it'. Expose yourself, racists, bigots, xenophobes, misogynists, hate-mongers. Let us make sure you regret it.

Claude Augario · May 27, 2017

But punishing racists will only make them more...oh, wait. That worked? Huh.

Hopeford · May 27, 2017

I'm honestly still just shocked that something was done about this. Like, pleasantly shocked, but shocked nonetheless.

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