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[AyaisMUsikWhore]

Don't agree that it's racist. I give her some kudos points for actually looking "black". Any time I see blackface, it's extremely obnoxious and down right offensive. In this case, she just looks like she bronzed her face and threw on a dread wig.

Whichever the case, she could of picked a better choice but I don't find this extremely revolting or incompetent.

 

[Ingueferroque]

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. WEARS BLACKFACE TO MOCK WHITE ACTORS WHO WEAR BLACKFACE?

Blockbuster blackface

The movie was pre-screened to the NAACP and gave him their endorsement. Gotta do some research bro or we are all just gonna aimlessly toss examples that has nothing to do with OP

So if the NAACP approved her cosplay you would be ok with it?

 

[BrokenEchelon]

rac·ism
ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
noun: racism

the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

You let me know when someone changing the color of their skin with makeup to portray a character from a TV show based on a comic book about fucking Zombies is intending to portray all black people as katana-wielding zombie slayers and then on top of it making that out to be an inferior component of being black, and then I'll call this racist.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

That's an interesting way to be wrong

Blackface is always racist. I don't give a fuck what your intentions were.

It's okay if you don't give a fuck. I'm sure it's fun, and easy, to live in a world where you don't need to actually think.

 

[Mesousa]

They're German it seems. The whole Blackface thing is an American thing. Why does the rest of the world have to go along with another country's sensitivities?

It is not an American thing, especially considering Minstrel Shows popular in America also toured Europe.

 

[Mesoian]

Yeah, this hit my feeds a couple weeks ago.

I'll say this much. While she almost certainly wasn't trying to be racist and did it out of love for her favorite character in the walking dead, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for engaging in methods that have a centuries old history of being racist. Take a step back and check before you do anything. If you have to ask, it's probably racist. Just like cosplaying nazis from newer animes, just like making ghost outfits that are a little too close too KKK outfits. Even if you're not trying to be disrespectful, you're going to get some shit for it. Just like Robert Downey Jr did (because he did, even though it was in the vein of comedy), just like Sarah Silverman did, just like Eddie Murphy did.

They're German it seems. The whole Blackface thing is an American thing. Why does the rest of the world have to go along with another country's sensitivities?

It's not an american thing, Blackface is centuries old, certainly older than America.

 

[Infinite]

You let me know when someone changing the color of their skin with makeup to portray a character from a TV show based on a comic book about fucking Zombies is intending to portray all black people as katana-wielding zombie slayers and then on top of it making that out to be an inferior component of being black, and then I'll call this racist.

the old using a dictionary definition to understand a complex concept.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Context offers an explanation for why something is not an excuse for it. Also using "sjw" pejoratively doesn't speak well of you.

No excuse is needed, given the context and intention of the cosplay. There is no intention to depict racist or stereotyped views of black people. You clearly aren't familiar with the history of blackface.

The problem with sjw revolves around the knee jerk stupidity that makes the internet...well, the internet. No understanding of context and an unwillingness to argue issues logically. I'm not opposed to all sjw, just the more extreme elements...like those that think a simple cosplay of a television character=racism.

 

[Who]

I don't think people know what racist means.

 

[DOWN]

Correct, it's never okay to change the color of your skin to simulate a different ethnicity IMO.

Why?

I don't get what is inherently wrong with simulating the appearance of another ethnicity, especially when the intent is to be respectful or to pay tribute. Is it because it just might remind people of disrespectful attempts, so therefore there can't be any?

 

[Gustav]

"I'm not a racist, also I'm not really german so don't associate me with those nazis"

I don't think that is what she is saying. "Racism" in Germany is more ethnic hatred than racism. It's about countries. Some of the most hated minorities are Turks, Russians and Poles. All of them caucasian but still hated for their ethnic background. So she is trying to argue that she herself is part of a different ethnicity and thus it would be pretty dumb if she were a "racist".

It is not an American thing, especially considering Minstrel Shows popular in America also toured Europe.

Of course it is. There is practically zero awareness of it. It only recently started creeping up in discussion as the world has become more globalized through the internet.

 

[Slayven]

They're German it seems. The whole Blackface thing is an American thing. Why does the rest of the world have to go along with another country's sensitivities?

http://time.com/2911124/racism-and-nazism-are-haunting-germanys-world-cup-campaign/

 

[Cuphead]

If she just wanted to cosplay a character she liked I don't see the problem here, her being a white version of the black character would just be weirder imo.

 

[n00bsauce87]

The same organization which was giving Sterling lifetime achievement awards as he racially discriminated against minority tenants....Hardly an Organization to be proud of being endorsed by.

Thanks for generalizing the national office with the LA office. Try again. Black Americans, specifically those who serve the in the NAACP, are not homogeneous.

 

[akira28]

So if the NAACP approved her cosplay you would be ok with it?

If she checked in with them first and took their advice on execution, and also stated her ironic reasons for doing such....maybe. context checklist marked off, now what to do about that delicate imagery?

I know.. silly putty nose!

 

[figadapaura]

Not racist, just kinda dumb.

 

[Infinite]

No excuse is needed, given the context and intention of the cosplay. There is no intention to depict racist or stereotyped views of black people. You clearly aren't familiar with the history of blackface.

The problem with sjw revolves around the knee jerk stupidity that makes the internet...well, the internet. No understanding of context and an unwillingness to argue issues logically. I'm not opposed to all sjw, just the more extreme elements...like those that think a simple cosplay of a television character=racism.

Intention =! Impact

 

[Stitch]

Is that from Little Britain? If so, that's not even the most unsettling example I've seen from that show...

No, same guys but it's from their other show "Come Fly with Me"

Yeah in "Little Britain" they had other stuff like this:

😃

 

[……forgetit]

So if the NAACP approved her cosplay you would be ok with it?

Oh fuck off with this. Have you seen the movie? Robert Downey Jr is playing a white character who is in blackface. The point of the character was to make fun of insane method actors who go to great lengths to get roles. In the movie the character boarders on the insane and seems to have a split personality disorder. A movie saying "blackface exists and is bad, look at this idiot who doesn't understand that he's offensive" is 100% different from saying "blackface is fine because I don't mean anything by it."

Context matters, and saying "I think it's fine, get over it black people," isn't fucking good context.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Intention =! Impact

What's the impact here exactly? Again you have not addressed your misunderstanding of the history, context, or intent of "blackface."

 

[Dark Ninja]

lol that Beth "cosplay" let me find a green tank top

 

[BattleMonkey]

Not at all. Shes trying to get as close to the character as possible, people paint their faces and do all kinds of stuff for good costuming.

Does anyone truly think she did this out of hate? Course not.

 

[Shaanyboi]

I see nothing outright disparaging about what she's trying to do here. She wants to dress up and pose with a sword.

That nose is terrible though...

 

[Woody Invincible]

That's an interesting way to be wrong

Blackface is always racist. I don't give a fuck what your intentions were.

What an uninteresting way to be a jerk. You must be real fun at social gatherings. This is quite innocent. And can I get a raise of hands of anybody that was offended by White Chicks or Eddie Murphy Whiteface. I'm sure it's not many if at all. People need to lighten up if things are obviously not done in an offensive manner.

 

[akira28]

If she just wanted to cosplay a character she liked I don't see the problem here, her being a white version of the black character would just be weirder imo.

that's like...the red button issue. she could be Michionne without blackening up her skin. But only certain people understand this. Everyone else is like "why u mad lol?" Its like the entire identity is caught up in the dark skin tone of the character, and that's crazy, but SO MANY PEOPLE are going "well she's black, obviously she has to wear blackface otherwise it's weird".

I'm just like...are your minds so set in stone?

 

[capslock]

Just don't do blackface.

 

[Shaanyboi]

lol that Beth "cosplay" let me find a green tank top

It's more creative than Mary Jane cosplay... "I have red hair, a white shirt that maybe has a picture of Spider-Man on it, and jeans."

 

[Buzzati]

Totally racist. You can tell from the slightly darker shading on her left temple that she totally thinks blacks and whites are not equal.

 

[The Elite]

No, same guys but it's from their other show "Come Fly with Me"

Yeah in "Little Britain" they had other stuff like this:

😃

This is blackface. It's actually a really good example of it. It's very different from what is show in the OP.

 

[Arjen]

It's not an american thing, Blackface is centuries old, certainly older than America.

It is certainly not well known, i'd bet most Europeans have no clue what "Blackface" is.
Which is basiscly the problem with all the misunderstandings in every single topic about this issue.

 

[Woody Invincible]

This is blackface. It's actually a really good example of it.

Yep, now that's blackface.

 

[BBQMan]

That isn't blackface. Blackface is something used to display a racial stereotype and has distinct big red lips. This is cosplay and anyone offended by it should be ashamed there is clearly NO INTENT to offend here and Im amazed people are.

 

[n00bsauce87]

So if the NAACP approved her cosplay you would be ok with it?

You don't have to try as hard as she did to cosplay as her. I think the person above did an awesome job despite not being the same skin tone.

 

[Mesousa]

Thanks for generalizing the national office with the LA office. Try again. Black Americans, specifically those who serve the in the NAACP, are not homogeneous.

If it is not homogenous body then that endorsement for that racist role you speak of its actually less of a factor.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Oh, October..yeah not doing it. Enjoy your victory against the PC police, ya dumb ducks.. quack quack. I'll just get this out of the way..

 

[anarckitty]

I can see some people getting offended and maybe finding this racist, but I don't see it. All I see is a girl who wanted to cosplay her favorite Walking Dead character. I think it would have looked weirder had she not done the make-up.

 

[……forgetit]

Why?

I don't get what is inherently wrong with simulating the appearance of another ethnicity, especially when the intent is to be respectful or to pay tribute. Is it because it just might remind people of disrespectful attempts, so therefore there can't be any?

Because there is a history of discrimination and misrepresentation behind it? Because it's most widely used for incredibly offensive portrayals of other races?

After decades of this shit you can't just say "alright black people, we're doing it right this time," and not expect us to get pissed off about it.

It straight up isn't cool, it's like saying "why can't I use the N-word, sure it was hateful in the past, but I'm using it as a term of endearment for my friends, so it's okay," It isn't fucking okay.

 

[Sami+]

I was expecting Minstrel Show blackface. This is nothing, IMO.

I'm Arab though so what do I know

 

[capslock]

That isn't blackface. Blackface is something used to display a racial stereotype and has distinct big red lips. This is cosplay and anyone offended by it should be ashamed there is clearly NO INTENT to offend here and Im amazed people are.

Just don't do blackface. Intention doesn't matter here.

 

[Slayven]

That isn't blackface. Blackface is something used to display a racial stereotype and has distinct big red lips. This is cosplay and anyone offended by it should be ashamed there is clearly NO INTENT to offend here and Im amazed people are.

By doing that she said the character is black first and foremost, that is how she defined Michonne .

 

[Mesoian]

It is certainly not well known, i'd bet most Europeans have no clue what "Blackface" is.
Which is basiscly the problem with all the misunderstandings in every single topic about this issue.

Assuming that's true, it's still not an excuse, just as Resident Evil 5 didn't get a pass because the Japanese don't have a storied history of why spear chucking and the image of the stalking black rapist aren't massive symbols of racism.

Ignorance isn't an acceptable defense against being racist. It's why we remove things like passages from the Ko'ran out of our music once we find out that it's offensive.

That isn't blackface. Blackface is something used to display a racial stereotype and has distinct big red lips. This is cosplay and anyone offended by it should be ashamed there is clearly NO INTENT to offend here and Im amazed people are.

You don't have to be dressed up like a 30's minstral to be doing blackface, much like you don't have to be using an old nightcap to wear a clan hood.

 

[Shaanyboi]

And that was offensive too as well as being a terrible movie.

And there will be a ton of people who say it's a great movie and not offensive considering almost every member of the key cast (black, white, asian) change race and even gender throughout that movie. So who am I to believe exactly?

 

[King Cobra]

I don't see anything racist about this at all, everything is within context and she has no bad intentions by it. And this isn't even black face.

Intention =! Impact

the old using a dictionary definition to understand a complex concept.

The ol' I'll use a "witty" line and win the argument amirite?

 

[Infinite]

What's the impact here exactly? Again you have not addressed your misunderstanding of the history, context, or intent of "blackface."

I'm saying your argument is flawed because you're arguing that she didn't intend to be racists therefore it isn't racists which is a pretty flimsy as illustrated by my "intent =! Impact" rebuttal. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Black people and being black isn't a fucking costume, dude.

 

[akira28]

You don't have to try as hard as she did to cosplay as her. I think the person above did an awesome job despite not being the same skin tone.

thank you. holy shit I knew who she was without even thinking too hard about it.

 

[BBQMan]

Just don't do blackface. Intention doesn't matter here.

Well I'm glad she didn't do Blackface then.

 

[Jonnax]

It is not an American thing, especially considering Minstrel Shows popular in America also toured Europe.

Yeah, this hit my feeds a couple weeks ago.


It's not an american thing, Blackface is centuries old, certainly older than America.

http://time.com/2911124/racism-and-nazism-are-haunting-germanys-world-cup-campaign/

I guess I stand corrected. But growing up in the UK I think there is something to be said about the difference in offence using makeup to change the colour of skin.

Also I think there's a huge difference with slapping on some black paint or to what the cosplayer did.

 

[Souldriver]

1. Blackface originated in Europe.

Fair enough. Doesn't change the fact that she isn't living out an example of blackface. She's using make up to (1) look as much as possible as a character (2) because she likes them. She's not using make up to (1) exagerate and simplify a character (2) because she hates them and wants to ridicule them.

2. Black cosplayers get a lot of hate for not looking like the character they're trying to portray. Meanwhile, everyone jumps to this woman's defense for slapping on some brown paint in order to cosplay one of the few prominent black characters we have.

But that's criticizing someone over sloppy cosplaying, not over having a certain skin tone. I don't see how that is relevant.

 

[n00bsauce87]

If it is not homogenous body then that endorsement for that racist role you speak of its actually less of a factor.

We did see the same movie right? The one where his character makes fun of all white actors who wants to play as black people on screen?

 

[Gustav]

Assuming that's true, it's still not an excuse, just as Resident Evil 5 didn't get a pass because the Japanese don't have a storied history of why spear chucking and the image of the stalking black rapist aren't massive symbols of racism.

Ignorance isn't an acceptable defense against being racist. It's why we remove things like passages from the Ko'ran out of our music once we find out that it's offensive.

I find this line of reasoning ignorant. Different cultures, traditions, histories provide different contexts for everything. There is no absolute in this.