Blackface for Halloween - Acceptable?

Oranage2 · 28-10-2014 11:28AM #1

So this year I've been thinking as dressing up as a black man. But for some reason I feel uneasy about it this.year which is enough for me to think that black face isn't right.

In Ireland I see no problem with it but I live outside Ireland in a place Halloween isn't really celebrated, so for convenience sake going as say Mr T would be easier than finding a costum. But the Expat community here has many Africans and African Americans. Also blacks are looked down upon by the local people so I feel if I went black face it would be ridiculing black people.

So AH, is black face Okay in your opinion and have you done black face before?

super_furry · 28-10-2014 11:28AM

Nope. No. Nein. Nay.

Unless you're alright with everyone thinking you're a racist.

AndyBoBandy · 28-10-2014 11:29AM

Oranage2 wrote: »

So this year I've been thinking as dressing up as a black man. But for some reason I feel uneasy about it this.year which is enough for me to think that black face isn't right.

In Ireland I see no problem with it but I live outside Ireland in a place Halloween isn't really celebrated, so for convenience sake going as say Mr T would be easier than finding a costum. But the Expat community here has many Africans and African Americans. Also blacks are looked down upon by the local people so I feel if I went black face it would be ridiculing black people.

So AH, is black face Okay in your opinion and have you done black face before?

It would all depend on what country/city you were in imo

Wossack · 28-10-2014 11:30AM

the fact you're even asking, and that you deem it thread-worthy should be a good indicator OP

Autonomous · 28-10-2014 11:33AM

OP...never go full retard

Banjo String · 28-10-2014 11:34AM

Are you going as a coal miner op?

darkpagandeath · 28-10-2014 11:35AM

"Grabs Popcorn"

I'm just going to see how many post's it will take for the PC crew to come in all outraged, And say even the question is Racist.:pac::pac::D

Barely There · 28-10-2014 11:35AM

Oranage2 wrote: »

So this year I've been thinking as dressing up as a black man. But for some reason I feel uneasy about it

I can't imagine why.

Links234 · 28-10-2014 11:37AM

Banjo String wrote: »

Are you going as a coal miner op?

Don't jump to conclusions, maybe he's going as a chimney sweep?

gramar · 28-10-2014 11:38AM

There is no reason in the world why you shouldn't go dressed as you want. If people get upset because you dress up as a black personality then that's their fault but unfortunately it might become your problem.

The fact that so many people are 'offended' by people dressing up as black personalities just highlights their own rascism. If they weren't rascist they wouldn't notice.

melted_face · 28-10-2014 11:39AM

blackface is always racist nqat

darkpagandeath · 28-10-2014 11:40AM

Links234 wrote: »

Don't jump to conclusions, maybe he's going as a chimney sweep?

Or has on far to much Fake tan.

Uncle Ruckus · 28-10-2014 11:41AM

Lord have mercy... You obviously never heard of what happened to Kira Markeljc , who cosplayed as Michonne from the Walking Dead.
The internet found her guilty. I think what she did is fine as it was well done and liked the character but why would you want to just do old fashioned blackface and dress up as random black man? Do you think black men are scary? Well maybe if your dressing up as the ghost of Biggie Smalls but that's beside the point.

Uncle Ruckus · 28-10-2014 11:42AM

Lord have mercy... You obviously never heard of what happened to Kira Markeljc , who cosplayed as Michonne from the Walking Dead.
The internet found her guilty. I think what she did is fine as it was well done and liked the character but why would you want to just do old fashioned blackface and dress up as random black man? Do you think black men are scary? Well maybe if you're dressing up as the ghost of Biggie Smalls but that's beside the point.

RobbingBandit · 28-10-2014 11:43AM

You need to go full haul with this, a snazzy zoot suit and pimp hat with a yellow or pink feather and an uzi, watch Harlem Nights for inspiration.

28-10-2014 11:43AM

As "a black man", no
As "my favourite movie star who happens to be black"... maybe. But probably still get issues over that too

Pumpkinseeds · 28-10-2014 11:43AM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Or has on far to much Fake tan.

Often seen on programmes about our nomadic brethrens weddings:D It's weird to see a white bride with an almost black face and orange limbs.

Pumpkinseeds · 28-10-2014 11:45AM

No OP, it's never OK to black up. It seems to be one of those things that really offends people and why bother putting peoples noses out of joint. Dress up as something else. I remember when Halloween dress up ended at 12 years old.

Mr. CooL ICE · 28-10-2014 11:48AM

I heard of some priests who dressed up as Diana Ross & The Supremes for a talent show and nobody thought they were racist. I saw it on a documentary, can't remember the name.

Anyway, they didn't win.

whisky_galore · 28-10-2014 11:48AM

bluewolf wrote: »

As "a black man", no
As "my favourite movie star who happens to be black"... maybe. But probably still get issues over that too

Too much baggage to be worth bothering with, find someone else to dress up as imho.

indigo twist · 28-10-2014 11:49AM

If you want to dress up as a particular black celebrity, and the makeup is part of the costume - fine.

If you want to slap some black facepaint on and that's your costume - "Hey look at me, I'm black, oh the lols!" ... that's just silly and racist and not funny.

Tiddlypeeps · 28-10-2014 11:49AM

I think it's stupid that it's seen as something racist. Black face back in the day wasn't just putting black on your face, it was a character played by white people that portrayed black people in a very poor light. There is a world of difference between dressing up as Mr. T and deliberately setting out to portray a bunch of negative black stereotypes. People love to get offended, especially on behalf of other people.

Unfortunately tho this is how it is, putting black on your face for any costume is seen by a lot of people as racist. Even if the reasons for it being considered racist are stupid it doesn't change the fact that you will be seen by a lot of people to be racist. If you aren't ok with that then it's probably best to choose a different costume.

Where you are in the world does make a big difference over how offended people will get by this too. In the US you will probably have people coming up to you and shouting at you. I don't think it used to be a thing in Ireland at all, but it is becoming an increasingly popular thing to get offended about. Probably because of increased exposure to american culture via the internet.

Yamanoto · 28-10-2014 11:50AM

Of course it's ok.

If a black man wished to dress up as Shane McGowan for example, then comically bad teeth, slurred speech and a deathly pallor would be requires to carry it off successfully. To attend a party as Mr.T would require a similar change of skin tone and an adherence to behaviours and catchphrases associated with that characters persona.

Were someone to dress as a generic black man and act out an ill-judged series of traits and characteristics which they believe captures the essence of an entire race, then that would be cause for taking exception.

REXER · 28-10-2014 11:51AM

Rather whiten yourself up with white wash, learn to moonwalk and go as Michael Jackson!:D

GreeBo · 28-10-2014 11:56AM

gramar wrote: »

There is no reason in the world why you shouldn't go dressed as you want. If people get upset because you dress up as a black personality then that's their fault but unfortunately it might become your problem.

The fact that so many people are 'offended' by people dressing up as black personalities just highlights their own rascism. If they weren't rascist they wouldn't notice.

Black Personality != Black Person

"Hey everyone, look at me...I'm black!"

Tokyo · 28-10-2014 11:57AM

gramar wrote: »

There is no reason in the world why you shouldn't go dressed as you want. If people get upset because you dress up as a black personality then that's their fault but unfortunately it might become your problem.

The fact that so many people are 'offended' by people dressing up as black personalities just highlights their own rascism. If they weren't rascist they wouldn't notice.

Huh? By that logic you'd be fine with me heading out trick-or-treating in full Klan outfit, hood and all? Because only actual racists will be offended??

gramar · 28-10-2014 11:59AM

GreeBo wrote: »

Black Personality != Black Person

"Hey everyone, look at me...I'm black!"

a black personality is a black person and what the fúck has that got to do with anything....dressing as a black person doesn't have to be racially motivated so why does it have to be racially interpreted.

and could it not be 'hey everyone looks at me I'm Oprah or Mr T or Michael Jordan?

The Backwards Man · 28-10-2014 11:59AM

Nicolas Cage wrote: »

I heard of some priests who dressed up as Diana Ross & The Supremes for a talent show and nobody thought they were racist. I saw it on a documentary, can't remember the name.

Anyway, they didn't win.

They could have dressed up as Banarama, the 80s ripoff of the Supremes, and not an eyelid would be batted. Who need PC when all you need is common sense?

Donkey Oaty · 28-10-2014 12:03PM

Have found a costume for you, Orangie, which hopefully ticks all the boxes you are looking for.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2507722/Fury-Amazon-sells-racist-golliwog-outfit-including-costume-wig-mask.html

MileyReilly · 28-10-2014 12:03PM

Dress up however you want. If a black person dressed up as white no one you bat an eye lid

MileyReilly · 28-10-2014 12:03PM

Dress up however you want. If a black person dressed up as white no one you bat an eye lid

Blackface for Halloween - Acceptable?

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