I'm sorry, are you equating a character's race to the pallor of a character who is very specifically not human and whose strange tone is one of the many ways that's demonstrated?
And you don't see something wrong here?
Julianne Hough (Actress/Singer/Dancer) Blackface Halloween costume
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I'm sorry, are you equating a character's race to the pallor of a character who is very specifically not human and whose strange tone is one of the many ways that's demonstrated?
And you don't see something wrong here?
TheOohChild
Member
I came in here completely expecting to think this lady is an idiot based on the thread title, but the pictures really aren't living up to my expectations. Don't see anything wrong with this at all
There's a pretty large difference between Race being relevant to a fictional character and Race being relevant to a costume of said character.
A costume being a visual representation of said character. Clothing, style of hair, mannerisms, skin color. All are relevant to looking like the character. Which is what Halloween is all about. Looking the part.
A costume being a visual representation of said character. Clothing, style of hair, mannerisms, skin color. All are relevant to looking like the character. Which is what Halloween is all about. Looking the part.
BrokenEchelon
Banned
I thought we were discussing Halloween costumes! You said you hadn't painted your skin ever, I'm tots doing it tonight.
And then tomorrow, the world will still be here and blackface for Halloween still won't be inherently racist, and you'll still be egregiously offended, and the world will keep on spinning.
But the girl in the OP show appropiate traits, taken directly from the character without taking in consideration her skin color. Posture, the way she open their eyes (hence the nickname "crazy eyes"), hiding his hands in her sleeves, she didn't just say I will paint myself black and I will be this black character, And as you said her being in an Oscar nominated costume and make up wouldn't change your opinion on the matter I think you are just running in circles arguing about the quality of the costume
Jest Chillin
Member
I have not seen Cloud Atlas.
The thing is, she really isn't trying to go that extra mile. She's not a cosplayer who has made a career out of dressing as characters. Not even a serious hobbyist. So there really isn't any point or benefit to her painting her skin.
I also feel the need to point out that I'm not trying to say that what she did was or was not Blackface itself but it doesn't have to be Blackface to be offensive and in poor taste.
Yes. I find the idea of portraying a "Guido" costume offensive even without the tanning because "Guido" is a stereotype in and of itself. Toeing the line and portraying one of the cast of Jersey Shore could possibly be ok but even in that portrayal I think tanning would be taking it too far. That's my personal take on it though.
I was right, you don't actually bother to read:
Also
Someone else's quote covered this better than I can
The Faceless Master
Member
Halloween just brings out the inner racist in some people eh...
Hmm fair enough.
Although I think you'd have to admit that blackening her skin does more to achieve a resemblance than hair colour or contacts would?
I don't necesarily see that as reducing the character to merely here skin colour. It just, visually speaking, the characteristic with the biggest impact on resemblance.
She should know better not because she was trying to be racist or did blackface but because she should know the shitstorm it would cause.
Blackface is the deliberate painting of oneself in a offensive stereotypical caricature of a black person. Which is why blackface always has huge red lips or deliberately unpainted lips that extend well beyond the persons normal lips and more often than not they would use contact lenses to make their eyes look crazy.
She clearly was not attempting an offensive caricature of black people or anything of the sort.
Blackface is the deliberate painting of oneself in a offensive stereotypical caricature of a black person. Which is why blackface always has huge red lips or deliberately unpainted lips that extend well beyond the persons normal lips and more often than not they would use contact lenses to make their eyes look crazy.
She clearly was not attempting an offensive caricature of black people or anything of the sort.
The One and Done
Member
That isn't blackface. You need to change the thread title.
People defending this...
I'm really not offended at all.
Deified Data
Banned
I think we can all appreciate the historical context of black face (especially being worn by a white celebrity) while simultaneously understanding that this "costume" wasn't meant to offend anyone. Ill-advised, yes, but I see nothing malicious here.
AtomskEater
Member
I can see why others would find it offensive, but I don't see any malicious intent or disrespect behind the costume. Reminds me of Korra cosplayers getting called out on tumblr for so much as getting a light tan. It's just advisable to not do these sort of costumes if you don't want any kind of backlash.
Also that undershirt is inaccurate. Girl, you can do better.
Also that undershirt is inaccurate. Girl, you can do better.
Brian Fellows
Pete Carroll Owns Me
Really makes her green eyes pop.
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Just because you're not offended doesn't mean others can't be.
The number of times it happens has no bearing on whether it's right or wrong.
And at best, it's a symptom of a symptom. White people discriminating against black people is a symptom of the actual problem, which is human fear and hate (which manifests itself in many ways if course). So, rather than addressing this symptom of a symptom by instilling more fear and hate, why not congratulate the woman for her enjoyment of this character.
Byakuya769
Member
Without that make-up, that doesn't even match the character's skin tone, there is nooooo way I could have known who she was. Why didn't she give her self some brillo pad puffs so I could be sure she was black crazy eyes and not some white girl who looks like her and has similar mannerisms?
Not black face, dumbass face.
Not black face, dumbass face.
Angry Fork
Member
White people: don't paint yourself black unless it's obviously for satirical/ironic reasons like Tropic Thunder. Just don't do it. Don't get why that's so hard. She didn't put on huge clown lips and maybe her intent wasn't to make fun, but that's not relevant imo. If it's cringe worthy that means you fucked up.
I will say this is the saddest thing about the costume.
She probably thought that was more offensive than just slathering Nutella on her face.
notworksafe
Member
Who decides if the reason is satirical/ironic enough?
Byakuya769
Member
Have you stepped into a time vortex and only just now arrived to the 21st century today? It's been offensive for about 200 years or so, give or take.
Well, with Tropic Thunder it's pretty easy because he has lines to support the irony and satire.
If you're not going to get a chance to explain why it's ironic, it's a bad idea to assume everyone will understand.
notworksafe
Member
...or he's not American
Sorry I'll dress up like a black man whenever I want to. It's for fun, and culturally relevant here in my country (where racism doesn't exist because everyone is pretty much mixed).
But the states is bizarro world where there are people that fantasies about having black slaves in white dresses so what do I know.
pretty done
Member
Looks like tanface. I don't see how anyone could be offended by this
Byakuya769
Member
"This is offensive now?" Has shit to do with where he's from. This is a predominately American forum and this discussion has been had repeatedly.
He brought up that point because you can't remove context from discussions about racism, and particularly a discussion about blackface, the social damage of which should be clear. I don't see how blackface and wanting to be Walter White are remotely similar. The racial division in culture is fundamentally uneven as it stands.
Anyway, her enjoyment of the character can be separated from her desire to assume that person's identity for whatever reason, as I'm sure is the case for about 99% of people who watch Orange is the New Black. And why should she get any congratulations--she's not making any strides for social justice, she certainly didn't intend it that way as her comments after the fact illustrate.
roosters93
Member
Claiming this is Blackface is what's offensive.
Is it?.
Hey people, I'm the first one to condemn racism, and I'm sure there are cases when a douchebag dresses in blackface to offend, but the girl has the same right to wear that costume that you black folks have of dressing up like Captain America. It's light hearted, relax, enjoy life.
Byakuya769
Member
I hope you're not from Brazil claiming that there's no racism in your country.
-1 I dont paint my face to dress up as Steve
-2 uh.. There are plenty of fucked up things in this world people just brush off as light hearted, so saying its light hearted means... jack shit really...
Learn about people other than yourself, and enjoy life.
But you /could/ and there's no problem in that.
Do you realy think she wanted to offend the black pupulation of the world? really? I mean, I'd accept that argument if the costume was of some slave or an african starvig kid or whatever, but it's a character from a sitcom. It's.. nothing. Really.
I'm outta here, geez.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
The make up isnt necessary when you dress up as a character who is black.
Being black is a big part of the character. The character story is that she is a knowingly crazy, incredible well educated, black women raised by white parents. The character would be less interesting if she was white and everything else was the same.
If a black man put on "white face", for sure some people would find it to be somewhat insensitive. However, it's still not the same. We don't live in a world where everything is 1:1 just because you reversed it. Context is everything, which is why white-face wouldn't be considered as offensive.
I agree that the thing in the OP isn't overwhelmingly offensive. But it is insensitive and should give everyone pause to consider why it is or isn't instead of immediately being reverse-outraged, like I said.
-1 Just because you can do something, does not mean you should.
-2 People can do things, with out meaning to do them. This is not new.
Do you have to be white to be Captain America in the same way that you have to be black to be Crazy Eyes? That's partially your initial idea wasn't all that serious of a comparison. There's a pretty clear marked difference in what the essence of Captain America's character is and what Laekon mentioned as the essence of Crazy Eyes character.
She's not a shock celebrity, so obviously no. But she doesn't have to be looking to piss off people for it to be offensive anyway, so...?
edit: check out Return of the RAT's second post on this page for my opinion on her actions. I don't think this is blackface. I do think it is offensive though.
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