Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteTiger
I guess my general problem with this is that when I hear "Blackface" I bring to mind pictures and images of the 'old' days in the theatre, with white people in pitchblack face paint with white lips or eyes. I look at something like what Hough did, and see that her dressing up as a specific person, not a race.
But then, I don't have problems with people painting themselves all blue and calling themselves Smurfs or Na'vi, either. Or all green and going as an "Orion Slave Girl" from Star Trek. I understand it's a costume, and generally of something that the person dressing up as them really likes.
I don't see dressing up as Justin Timberlake a problem (I laughed), or Jay Z (though it's not really like he's got any sort of recognizable style, that one's iffy) or Houghs costume (Suzanne Warren) as any problem. Hell, I didn't even recognize her AS Houghs until it was pointed out and I saw a bit of white at the top of her forehead. To me, there's a world of difference between that, and the intentional idiocy represented by the 'original' style of Blackface.
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Exactly. I understand the historical context and the reason it can be perceived as racist and offensive, enough that I wouldn't do it, but I think context is important. Going as a walking stereotype of a race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion etc. is obviously offensive. Going for an accurate costume isn't.
If a 12 year old kid wanted to dress up as his favourite hockey player who he idolizes, no big deal right? Well if that child is white and the player in question is Iginla, it somehow magically becomes offensive? Disagree heavily. Again I understand the reason it could be perceived as offensive but it shouldn't be. And I'd argue that it's not even a case of "reverse racism" but plain and simple racism on the part of those who do see it as offensive. By suggesting that this child shouldn't dress up as his idol because of their respective skin colours the message they are sending is that a white child couldn't actually truly idolize a black person and therefore dressing up as one is a mockery rather than flattery. They are overlooking the very simple fact that the child actually could idolize someone regardless of race therefore making themselves the racists.