Racial tensions

[ljen]

Is blackface ever okay?

Consider the sorority girls who put on blackface to look like the Cosby family for a party or similar Halloween costumes, which don't seem to have an ill or derogatory intent.

Comments

[wood_elf]

No, it's uncomfortable - whether or not they'd intend it as overt racism/mockery, putting on blackface comes with a lot of historical baggage.

[leeneh]

I'm not a guilt-ridden white American, thankfully, so I see no problem with it.

ETA:

To clarify: I see no problem with it the same way I see no problem with non-gay actors playing gay people on stage or in film, or with men enjoying dressing up in what's traditionally seen as women's clothing, or with middle-aged people desperately trying to look like they're teenagers (okay, maybe that last - it's pathetic. Besides, teenagers as a group can hardly be put in the same box as blacks, gays, or women) - something Americans don't have problems with, either. I'd be more offended by any exaggerated political correctness were it me.

Oh, and your icon, too.

[dylogger]

This.

[tabular_rasa]

I don't feel qualified to answer if it's ever okay, as I'm not part of the demographic it was historically used to mock. I'd certainly avoid partaking it in myself, though. Just because something has innocent intent doesn't mean it still can't hurt someone.

[laura_seabrook]

When I was young my mother used to watch a British show called The Black & White Minstrel show and that was all in Blackface. That was the late 70s mind you, and it was neither made in the USA nor were we watching it in the USA (In Australia).

Whiteface on the other hand seems to be something entirely different:

Those days are gone and even Mr Golliwog from Noddy went the way of all things.

And really, good job as well. Whether or not any of that has merit or not, it's all just pretty offensive and evidence of majority privilege.

[kimberlyl1992]

Is dressing up as a Nazi, for the sake of a party, okay? It falls into that inappropriate category, in my opinion. Out of all of the Halloween costumes to pick from, why pick one with a history of racism?