Blackface Halloween ?

[Russic]

Audience would be key (and that includes people you might pass on the way to the party). I have a few black friends who wouldn't care, but one in particular is very conscious of the slavery in his family, so he'd take it much differently.

[The Goon]

Related - one of my sensitive Facebook friends posted this article which explains some of the opposition to blackface and other cultural costumes.

http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/..._words_of.html

My personal thought is that if you're going as Mr.T and not "Hey, I'm a black dude", it's okay, but it seems like that's a tough line to draw these days.

[taco.vidal]

Actress Julianne Hough has offered an apology after being snapped in blackface on the way to a Los Angeles Halloween party on Friday.

Hough was part of an ensemble appearing as characters from the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black.

She was dressed as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, who falls for former smuggler Piper Chapman while they are inmates.

"I am a huge fan of the show Orange is the New black, actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created," Hough wrote on her Twitter account Saturday.

TV Boss @BB15HOH
oh Lawd! someone needs to inform this young generation about whats offensive, Julienne Hough went out in "blackface" for a halloween costume

[Oling_Roachinen]

Is going as later years Michael Jackson blackface if you have to whiten your face?

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Why not just go as a white Mr. T? If you reverse it, how often do you see black people dressing up in white face to complete a halloween costume? You could have some fun with it and make it an albino Mr. T costume, there are a lot of other options out there then deliberately choosing a costume that would likely offend some people

A friend of mine did it one year. Dyed his hair blonde and everything. Went as "Rich White Guy" and had a scarf wrapped around his neck and a tennis racket and the whole nine. Was absolutely hilarious. Everyone loved it.

At the end of the day you have to know the audience. If you're going to a party with a bunch of friends who you know won't be offended then there probably isn't an issue. If you're going to a party with a lot of random people then probably avoid the black face.

[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.

I hear "Blackface", and this is what I'm thinking

Spoiler for poss. offensive image:

Spoiler!

The pics shown in this thread don't even come close.

[Oling_Roachinen]

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.

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.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Black guy here. I honestly don't care.

[nik-]

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.

I hear "Blackface", and this is what I'm thinking

Spoiler for poss. offensive image:

Spoiler!

The pics shown in this thread don't even come close.

In all likelihood it probably doesn't really matter what you think though. If a significant portion of the population finds it offensive because of its historical context (a context that doesn't exist with green alien girls and blue Navi, rendering those irrelevant) then it's offensive. Just because it isn't the same picture as the Blackface article in a Britannica Encyclopedia, doesn't mean it's kosher.

[Shaggin Wagon]

A friend and I went as Julius and Vincent Vega from pulp fiction. I was Jules, I did not put on blackface and the costume was still effective. If you are white going as a black character, just do a white version of that character. A white Mr T could be an effective costume.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by nik-

In all likelihood it probably doesn't really matter what you think though. If a significant portion of the population finds it offensive because of its historical context (a context that doesn't exist with green alien girls and blue Navi, rendering those irrelevant) then it's offensive. Just because it isn't the same picture as the Blackface article in a Britannica Encyclopedia, doesn't mean it's kosher.

Yeah, I understand that too. I've heard that repeated ad nauseum. I feel that it's barking up the wrong tree, personally, but then I'm a middle class, middle aged white guy, what do I know. I look at the Blackface of days past, and I can completely understand why it's offensive. I look at something like the 'celebrity' costumes these days, and think that the fact that there are white folks who think so highly of a black celebrity they want to dress up as that person as a huge step forward in race relations.

But me, I find I'll stick to the fantastical when I get into costume. Less hassle, more fun that way.

[Street Pharmacist]

If I'm Dutch, it's it inappropriate to dress as Zwarte Piet?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

If I'm Dutch, it's it inappropriate to dress as Zwarte Piet?

Good question. I am sure there are lots of festivals/traditions that could be consider "off side".

Hell I had a golliwog growing up......What the hell!!

[CaptainCrunch]

So it would be wrong if I had a friend dress up in black face, and I bought a whip and a 1800's style plantation owner and had my friend scurrying around sayin "yess Massa, we be singin revival songs tonight lors yes"

Cause I might have to go as a ghost instead.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Is going as later years Michael Jackson blackface if you have to whiten your face?

Totally forgot about my buddy who did Michael Jackson a few years back. 80's Michael Jackson. It was absolutely hilarious, and everyone he came across thought so too. The year after he went as Dee Snyder, which was just as funny. Another pal did Lando Calrision (sp?), which had everyone on the floor when they saw them at the party.

For the most part you're poking fun at the famous people you're dressing up as, whether they be white or black. I don't find it racist at all......the most offensive thing to me on either of those costumes was the leopard print tights.

[Regulator75]

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/t...oween.html?c=r

[tripin_billie]

So, when I was younger and had only lived in Calgary and Victoria, I didn't understand that it was something wrong.

I live in DC now. I understand now.

Maybe Canadians don't get it, but if you live in the USA, especially the eastern seaboard, you'll realize that racism is alive and well, and it simply isn't funny.

[V]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

If I'm Dutch, it's it inappropriate to dress as Zwarte Piet?

Growing up we always had a Zwarte Piet at our Sinterklaas festival, but that ended a few years ago. Now that I'm older I understand what's so horriffically rasict about Zwarte Piet, but I have no idea what my parent's generation was thinking.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by V

Growing up we always had a Zwarte Piet at our Sinterklaas festival, but that ended a few years ago. Now that I'm older I understand what's so horriffically rasict about Zwarte Piet, but I have no idea what my parent's generation was thinking.

I was told he was Santa's helper and had a black face because he had soot on his face

[East Coast Flame]

"How to Be a White Person on Halloween (Hint: Skip the Blackface)"

http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollyw...-the-blackface