Would You Black Up?

Dunjohn · 18-10-2010 10:29AM #1

I remember a few years ago, some Irish politician or another got into hot water for "blacking up," painting his face for a Nelson Mandela costume. With Hallowe'en coming up, I'm wondering what people think about it. Is there a problem with white people painting their skin black for a costume, and vice versa (Obviously if you're black, vote like it says "white up")?

For me, I can't understand why it could be a problem. I've blacked up in the past, when I went as Morpheus from The Matrix. Can't see why I should be barred from dressing as someone just because I don't share their race.

biko · 18-10-2010 10:32AM

Not if you're Obama or Mandela I think.
Maybe if you're going as 50 cent.

pickarooney · 18-10-2010 10:34AM

I think there was a thread on this about 12 months ago. I can't remember the title of it though.

prinz · 18-10-2010 10:35AM

Had a mate who did it a few years back. Only hassle he got was from a couple of Americans. He met a black guy during the night and the pair got on famously, he had no issues with it whatsoever. So meh.

ball · 18-10-2010 10:36AM

So if you're white, you "black-up".

Then if you're black, do you "whiten down"?

GavRedKing · 18-10-2010 10:37AM

I dont see the issue if your doing it for a costume really, Ive seen down the years a Bob Marley, Phil Lynott to name a few, i think given the time of the year and the occasion its not so much of an issue, IMO.

chin_grin · 18-10-2010 10:37AM

Oh great! This again..........every f*ckin' Halloween........blah blah blah yackety schmackety.

If you feel in any way weird about it then I wouldn't do it.

It's political correctness gone MAD!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGAOCVwLrXo

Pookah · 18-10-2010 10:38AM

ball wrote: »

Then if you're black, do you "whiten down"?

Lighten up.

biko · 18-10-2010 10:39AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGm5U11JTr8

DOC09UNAM · 18-10-2010 10:39AM

It's skin color, if you're not black, and you need to be black for a costume.

The answer is obvious, black the fúck up.

You could always go as RDJ from Tropic Thunder so you can technically say you're impersonating a white impersonating a black guy.

Have you not seen Anthony Hopkins blacking up to play Othello??

chin_grin · 18-10-2010 10:40AM

G'wan admit it. Who else clicked to view the poll results before voting?

chin_grin · 18-10-2010 10:41AM

DOC09UNAM wrote: »

You could always go as RDJ from Tropic Thunder so you can technically say you're impersonating a white impersonating a black guy.

What do YOU mean 'you people'?

Rabies · 18-10-2010 10:42AM

but would you go back?

ronnie3585 · 18-10-2010 10:42AM

I blacked up two years ago, went as Phil Lynott. It was great, didn't have any problems with the black folk I met that night.

I was contemplating going as a Golliwog this year, but I think that would be crossing a line.

up for anything · 18-10-2010 11:02AM

The Black & White Minstrel Show

Strange how the girls never had to black up although many are making up for it now. Orange is the new black.

fakearms123 · 18-10-2010 11:20AM

I dont see the problem with it, if your going to go as Mr.T you really have to fully commit to it, I went as Che Guevara one year and tanned myself to the max, only had one issue that night when a argentinian women called me a racist but I got over it

mikom · 18-10-2010 11:35AM

Dunjohn wrote: »

Would You Black Up?

Yep, goin' as a Chilean miner.

Would You Black Up?

Would You Black Up For a Costume? 32 votes

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