Why Is It Racist To Dress Up As Someone With Dark Skin At A Fancy Dress Party?

[dave50]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6328241/Tube-passenger-sparks-outrage-painting-face-black-Halloween-costume.html
It's ridiculous. He's not made any racist remarks or incited violence, all he has done is get dressed up for a fancy dress party. Anyway, I thought that imitation was the sincerest form of flattery?

[New Judge]

And looking at the previous two answers, it applies even if she wasn't there and didn't witness it, but simply heard about it second hand.

[Zacs-Master]

Thank God for that. Someone who actually understands the definition. Thankyou NJ.

[andy-hughes]

I have never subscribed to the position that, if someone is offended, they are in the wrong for lacking a sense of humour, which is the usual attack / defence mounted in incidents like this.

If the lady is offended, then she has every right to say so in a reasonable manner, which she did, and to receive a response delivered in a reasonable manner - which she did.

The problem occurs when isolated incidents like this, which is a simple exchange of views between two passengers on a tube train, gets broadcast to the world, and then everyone has an opinion to offer.

[emmie]

that is the whole point, its something to discuss, personally i thought he looked daft but not because he blacked up.

[naomi24]

He said : 'It's a person I like, why not?'

She said: : 'I was on the Central line going home last night, where I witnessed the disgusting disrespect of blackface shown from this Bulgarian man.”

Disgusting disrespect? He dressed as Samuel L Jackson because he likes him. And there’s me thinking racism is something nasty. How can admiration be racist?

[andy-hughes]

Interestingly, I don't believe that dressing up as a black actor equates to 'blackface' which is a specific approach to black culture and is, in modern times, considered offensive.

Be all means be offended, but first, be sure what you are actually offended about!

[retrocop]

Would you consider then,in this day and age the Brittania Coconutters offensive? Being going on for hundred years or more?

[SparklyKid]

So funny.

[naomi24]

//I don't believe that dressing up as a black actor equates to 'blackface' //

Difficult to dress up as a black actor without one.

[naomi24]

SparklyKid. love that. So jolly!

[SparklyKid]

What does blackface mean ?

[SparklyKid]

Brilliant was it not. Had to google as have never heard of them Very jolly.

[naomi24]

It's the makeup used by those who dress up as black people.

[SparklyKid]

Like Al Jolson,lol.

[SparklyKid]

I remember the black and white minstrels, quite good fun. Where did the "white" bit fit in then.

[naomi24]

Yes. Similarly though, dark skinned singers playing Madame Butterfly paint their faces white. Can't do much else if they want to look the part.

[naomi24]

I guess because the men were 'black' and the ladies 'white'.... but that's only a guess.

[Mamyalynne]

I find the history of Blackface very interesting, even though no one can be definite about the true beginnings and some were obviously distasteful to us now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

Re the man in the article, he's never going to resemble Samuel and to my eyes he just looks silly.

[naomi24]

I expect he did his best.

[SparklyKid]

I feel sorry for the young people denied the chance of watching UNPC tv progs from years ago. Love the neighbour, Alf Garnett and many others. Lots of black comediens got their laughs from mocking themselves. Threatening to live next door etc .

Life was simpler then in the absence of professional ofendees.