AOG - "andy-hughes
Regardless of her position she can't be held responsible for other's sensitivities."
The first statement is absolutely true, no-one can be responsible for other peoples' sensibilities - but being aware of them, and not putting yourself in a compromising situation is not being responsible, it is about being aware, a different concept altogether.
" How could she or anyone else for that matter thing it was inappropriate to dress up as a famous actress just because that person had a different skin colour to themselves?"
because we live in a society where this action can cause offence.
In an ideal world, blacking up for a fancy dress costume would not be seen as offensive. Some people take offence, that is up to them, and the majority of people can dress that way, and ignore offended people if they choose.
But this lady is not in that majority.
She speaks for Stamp It Out, and as such, her conduct is on view, and her behaviour is subject to scrutiny, and to black up like this was not only naiive. it was stupid, and she ought to know better.
If you want to dress as Whoopi Goldberg on your night off, don't align yourself with SIO - if you are aligned with SIO, then the luxury of wearing a Whoopi Goldberg costume is denied to you - and surely that's not the end of the world - is it?