Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
Unpack that. Why isn’t there any parallel to you?
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As I understand, “Blackface” can trace its origins to minstrel shows where blacks were not allowed to perform. When Ellington et al were first performing to white audiences, the shows were themed toward the jungle/savage/stereotypical African roots of the music/dancers/ performers because they were dark skinned if nothing else. Blackface was used as a disgusting caricature in white-only clubs to parallel the racial profile thrust upon the blacks at the time. While whites flocked to see African performers who were only allowed to perform while conforming to savage exoticness of a jungle dweller that whites found intriguing, many more flocked to see the same style performances performed by whites absurdly mimicking this presentation. The stereotypical presentation was degrading on its on, let alone at a time when blacks could not even attend the establishments they could very well be performing in. It was absolutely a display of racial stereotyping, racial bigotry and segregation. The very act of painting whites black so audiences could get their fill of exoticness is disturbing enough, let alone the fact they were portrayed in such a obscene way.
*full disclaimer, my awareness of ‘blackface’ is limited to this history. It probably has roots further back, and probably substantially more sinister.
In this instance, group of people were imitating another group of people. There was no more stereotype presented, nor malice, than “Howie Mandel”’s character baldness. Was the person portraying the darker skin toned person perverting the real life character by acting in a manner more ‘ethnic’ than in reality? Was the makeup put on to make a mockery of the real-life person? Was the makeup due to a segregation of races? To emphasize a racial stereotype?
Or was it just because the entire thing was to reenact a silly reality TV show, right down to the famous, obviously well regarded cast?
That is why there is no parallel to me. One thing is deeply rooted in stereotype and segregation towards a group portrayed as lesser developed, lesser ‘human’ and more primitively savage, using exaggerated physical features to promote the narrative. The other was an act of idolizing a group of people, by others doing their best to portray them. Howie Mandel doesn’t need to be bald, but it sure looks a lot more like him if you have a shaved head a stupid tuff of hair.
*sexond disclosure: savage and primitive are not my terms.