Mayor Kenney addresses Mummers Parade controversy

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Thursday, January 7, 2016
VIDEO: Mayor Kenney addresses Mummers controversy
Mayor Jim Kenney addresses the Mummers Parade controversy.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has once again addressed the controversy over the Mummers Parade.

The show on New Year's Day sparked new calls for change after some comics strutted in brown face and others performed a skit about Caitlyn Jenner.

Sensitivity training and prescreening for the performances are just some of the proposals under consideration by Kenney's administration.

"It's all about education and it's all about explaining to people who might not understand that sometimes you do things that are offensive to people, whether you meant to or whether you didn't, you still offended them. The Mummers Parade is a celebration of family, it's competition, it's a celebration of the new year. It's steeped in great tradition. Making people feel bad about who they are is not part of the mummers tradition," Kenney said.

Kenney made these comments Wednesday following an interfaith prayer service in the Wissahickon section of Philadelphia.

During the ceremony, religious leaders blessed the city under Kenney's new leadership.

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