Blackface for Halloween - Acceptable?

I honestly don't see why it shouldn't be, provided the costume isn't mocking stereotypes of black people in general. Taking the piss out of an individual is not racist. Furthermore, I personally disapprove the concept of "acceptable" in this context to begin with - people should be able to express themselves as they see fit. Criticism is ok, people getting fired / expelled / prosecuted is not.

I think if it makes sense it might be ok (but I still wouldn't personally do it), four guys went as the ghostbusters, my friend was the black dude, it makes sense to distinguish between them. But for someone like Mr. T up there or Michonne, I don't think it's necessary, the costume/accessories are enough to make it obvious.


The "Zwarte Piet" always stirs up a bit of controversy during Sinterklaas over here. But many dutch are still adamant it's not racist, it's the soot from the chimney that causes their faces to be black apparently, the afro wig and big red lips are less easily explained!

They sell stuff like this in the shops coming up to it, many shop-fronts display zwarte piet decorations, it really makes me uneasy, to an outsider it's blatantly racist, to them it's tradition

The_Valeyard wrote: »

A few lads I know went as the jamacian Bob slay team. Made there own slay and blackened up their faces. Had the jumpsuits n all.

No one was offended by it at the party.


One Nigerian lad used white paint on his face and a wig to pull off Albert Einstein, Was I meant to be offended at that?

People need to stop inventing racism. There is a difference in going as a character, celebrities, or famous person, than 'random black/white guy'

Can you not see the difference between going as a specific black person versus going as "hey look at me I'm black"

the only reason you would blackface and not try to be a specific black person is because you think there is something intrinsically interesting or different about being black.
Thats kinda racist.

Duggy747 wrote: »

Is dressing as an old person for Halloween ageist?

like this kid?

Celly Smunt wrote: »

But without the black face they'd just be your average Parisian honky.

Ain't nobody amused by an average Parisian honky.

Really? It's 2014, and you are still using the 'h' word?

Ah the annual 'I am so edgy' blackface thread.

BrokenHero wrote: »

Surely society has reached a stage where amending your skin colour at Halloween, in an effort to look more like the person that you wish to dress as, is incidental. I would feel it more racist for a white person to dress as black character and not change the colour of their skin as surely this is somehow suggestive of their being something wrong with black skin.

I fail to see the difference between a white guy doing so:

http://larrybrownsports.com/hockey/raffi-torres-dresses-as-jay-z-for-halloween-hears-racism-talk-picture/95781

And a black guy doing so:

http://terezowens.com/dwyane-wade-goes-as-justin-timberlake-for-halloween/

Again, there is a difference between going as a specific black person versus just going as a generic black person.

I was going to wear glasses and an Indian dhoti with an aran jumper and a cap and go to a party as
mohata mogheansai.
But now I'm afraid people will think I'm racist instead of witty.
Oh well, Ali G it is then.:-)

alroley wrote: »

Black face is never ever acceptable

Yeah, just imagine a black person dressing up with a white face.:eek::rolleyes:

alroley wrote: »

not the same

Why?

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Why?

black face comes from white people using it to make fun of black people to entertain other white people.

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?

A white person dressing as a black person is not inherently racist or offensive in any way. However, because some thick people think that it is, you are only drawing trouble on yourself by going down that road. I wouldn't do it if I were you. You'll fall victim to the 21st century version of blasphemy - like these guys

AndreaCollins wrote: »

This topic came up with some black people I know and they all said they'd have no problem with someone dressing up as Mr. T but to dress up as a random black person was highly offensive to them. They all had the same opinion.

because its clearly implying that there is something different about being black, worthy of pretending to be black to "dress up"

I would look pretty silly in my golliwog costume if I didnt go in blackface