Support NeoGAF

[Korey]

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.

Yes, the character is black. One of her characteristics is that she's black. Her backstory may reflect that.

But how is it a DEFINING characteristic? That's like saying a "big part of Superman's character" is that he's white because he was raised on a farm in the midwest and his story would be different if he were black, therefore if you were dressing up as Superman, using white-face would be something appropriate to do.

How exactly is someone's race "a big part of the character". Think about that for any "white character", like Ned Stark, or Agent Coulson, Walter White, Cyclops, Wolverine, Batman, Jack Bauer, etc.

Is being white a "big part of their character"? Why or why not, and how is this different than Crazy Eyes?

 

[f0lken]

How exactly is someone's race "a big part of the character". Think about that for any "white character", like Ned Stark, or Agent Coulson, Walter White, Cyclops, Wolverine, Batman, Jack Bauer, etc.

As a Mexican guy I could tell you that for most people here, being white is a huge part of Superman, Captain America and other "white characters". Maybe for you is not like that, but in this part of the world their whiteness is part of their character. Some kids are even made fun of because they are too prietos (meaning dark latino skin) to dress like Thor and others

 

[Village]

As a Mexican guy I could tell you that for most people here, being white is a huge part of Superman, Captain America and other "white characters". Maybe for you is not like that, but in this part of the world their whiteness is part of their character. Some kids are even made fun of because they are too prietos (meaning dark latino skin) to dress like Thor and others

It shouldn't be.

Epically in supes case, since he is an alien.

The bolded is pretty bad actually.

 

[Slayven]

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.

On thing there have been 4 Captain America, it's a title the Marvel USA government gives someone. So anyone can be Captain Ameirca. Even us black people.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

I can't accept that apology. I was offended by how bad and cheap it was for someone in her position.

 

[Shamrock7r]

Meh, I find when people paint their skintone like that for a costume, it always looks awkward or tacky. Never looks good, and is a little weird, but offensive? Nah. Some people need to learn to just roll your eyes at stuff like that and move on.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Meh, I find when people paint their skintone like that for a costume, it always looks awkward or tacky. Never looks good, and is a little weird, but offensive? Nah. Some people need to learn to just roll your eyes at stuff like that and move on.

Context is key. There's no reason to shit on her for paying homage to her favorite TV character at the moment. The tackiness is the quality in which she's attempting to do so.

 

[Angelus Errare]

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.

Black folks who dress up as Captain America don't paint their faces white...

 

[REV 09]

she's a specific character from the show. I see nothing offensive about this at all.

 

[Emerson]

There's a debate to be had about whether or not it's appropriate to color your skin when dressing as a person of another race.

In this case though, to characterize her actions as "blackface" is so disingenuous that it's silly. The entire offense of blackface is in reducing an entire race of people down to a stereotyped caricature. Not simply coloring your skin so as to be more accurate to a person's appearance.

As far as the first question, I wouldn't color my skin for a Halloween costume, but as a white man I probably wouldn't dress as a black character to begin with just to avoid the issue. But a person's color is a pretty integral part of their appearance whether you want to pretend it isn't or not. If I wanted to try to portray a black man I wouldn't just put on sunglasses to dress as Ray Charles and if I were black I wouldn't throw on some suspenders and call myself George RR Martin.

 

[BigDug13]

I don't see the problem. She's dressing up as someone specific. Just like someone dressing as Hellboy will put on red make-up. If I was dressing as Will Smith's character in Men in Black, do I have to do is as a white guy with no make-up? If I want to be Geordi LaForge and I put a stupid eye thing on, do I have to remain as a white dude?

 

[Mercury Land-Snake]

she's a specific character from the show. I see nothing offensive about this at all.

.

 

[ThankYouDaletech]

Guys there has never been minstrelsy where black people put on white face paint and lampoon white folk I mean how could you ever say anything about "White face" and not feel like a total dork. Gosh.

 

[Enzom21]

I don't see the problem. She's dressing up as someone specific. Just like someone dressing as Hellboy will put on red make-up. If I was dressing as Will Smith's character in Men in Black, do I have to do is as a white guy with no make-up? If I want to be Geordi LaForge and I put a stupid eye thing on, do I have to remain as a white dude?

Yes. Hellboy being red is part of his character. Is their race the central focus of the character?

No one would know that you were Geordi without painting your skin? The visor wouldn't be enough?

Why stop at painting your skin? Why not get a wig or dye your hair as well?

Do you know who these characters are?

 

[Alligatorjandro]

I don't see the problem. She's dressing up as someone specific. Just like someone dressing as Hellboy will put on red make-up. If I was dressing as Will Smith's character in Men in Black, do I have to do is as a white guy with no make-up? If I want to be Geordi LaForge and I put a stupid eye thing on, do I have to remain as a white dude?

You dont need to paint your skin.

 

[freenudemacusers]

Do you know who these characters are?

A$AP Mob?

 

[IrishNinja]

Black folks who dress up as Captain America don't paint their faces white...

oh no, you liburuls just get the media to revise history and make the original cap BLACK in a way to overshadow a true aryan american

Spoiler

can you imagine what the fox news crowd was like in '03 on comic message boards? i was more at bendis' site than newsarama but i bet shit was crazy

A$AP Mob?

ahahahaha

 

[Stet]

Yes. Hellboy being red is part of his character. Is their race the central focus of the character?

No one would know that you were Geordi without painting your skin? The visor wouldn't be enough?

Why stop at painting your skin? Why not get a wig or dye your hair as well?

Do you know who these characters are?

Everyone except that skinny-ass excuse for Superman. smh

 

[Onemic]

There's a debate to be had about whether or not it's appropriate to color your skin when dressing as a person of another race.

In this case though, to characterize her actions as "blackface" is so disingenuous that it's silly. The entire offense of blackface is in reducing an entire race of people down to a stereotyped caricature. Not simply coloring your skin so as to be more accurate to a person's appearance.

As far as the first question, I wouldn't color my skin for a Halloween costume, but as a white man I probably wouldn't dress as a black character to begin with just to avoid the issue. But a person's color is a pretty integral part of their appearance whether you want to pretend it isn't or not. If I wanted to try to portray a black man I wouldn't just put on sunglasses to dress as Ray Charles and if I were black I wouldn't throw on some suspenders and call myself George RR Martin.

See, but for your comparison, a black person with sunglasses also wouldn't look like Ray Charles at first glance. Same with a white dude wearing suspenders to look like George RR. Martin. I and I'm pretty sure most others wouldn't automatically point to those two people being portrayed just because of sunglasses and overalls. Such things are so common amongst people that it wouldn't stand out to the point where one would say that you are dressing up as someone. All that comparison shows is that skin colour has less to do with looking like a character than key character attributes and mannerisms. Following your logic a black man wearing a superman suit wouldn't look like superman to anyone simply because he's black. Considering this, most black people(most non-minorities actually) would have to use whiteface when participating in halloween/cosplay/etc. considering that in the media most people portrayed are white, and yet you don't see this happen. You also don't see white people who cosplay as anime characters put on makeup to look more Asian or attempt to make their eyes look slanted.

 

[The Faceless Master]

man this is a pretty good costume!!!

 

[Videoneon]

man this is a pretty good costume!!!

...

sigh....they think that's funny

 

[inm8num2]

She looks more like John Boehner with the makeup anyway.

 

[Riposte]

She's some eye make-up away from being ganguro.

 

[sleepykyo]

Yes. Hellboy being red is part of his character. Is their race the central focus of the character?

No one would know that you were Geordi without painting your skin? The visor wouldn't be enough?

Why stop at painting your skin? Why not get a wig or dye your hair as well?

Do you know who these characters are?

I can tell most of them outside of the one standing between Superman and Green Lantern.

 

[Emerson]

Considering this, most black people(most non-minorities actually) would have to use whiteface when participating in halloween/cosplay/etc. considering that in the media most people portrayed are white, and yet you don't see this happen. You also don't see white people who cosplay as anime characters put on makeup to look more Asian or attempt to make their eyes look slanted.

This is all anecdotal, and we have no idea how often black people paint their skin white or white people tape their eyes relative to how often white people paint themselves black. It's hardly as if we have statistics. The latter isn't done all that often either, it's just that every time it happens everybody loses their shit over it.

 

[Shamrock7r]

Yes. Hellboy being red is part of his character. Is their race the central focus of the character?

No one would know that you were Geordi without painting your skin? The visor wouldn't be enough?

Why stop at painting your skin? Why not get a wig or dye your hair as well?

Do you know who these characters are?

To be fair, they all have iconic, well known outfits. An orange prison jumpsuit is a little more generic.

 

[Onemic]

This is all anecdotal, and we have no idea how often black people paint their skin white or white people tape their eyes relative to how often white people paint themselves black. It's hardly as if we have statistics. The latter isn't done all that often either, it's just that every time it happens everybody loses their shit over it.

I think you're projecting a bit here. That part of my post doesn't compare black people donning white makeup compared to white people donning black makeup. I was just saying that based on his logic you should see loads of black people donning white makeup due to the fact that most character/actors/what have you in media are white and yet that couldn't be further from the truth.

 

[antonz]

man this is a pretty good costume!!!

That is a true example of blackface. He made sure the lips stand out etc. in an exaggerated fashion.

 

[Onemic]

That is a true example of blackface. He made sure the lips stand out etc. in an exaggerated fashion.

Only thing that's different between that picture and the OP is that this dude has darker makeup. He didnt paint his lips.

This isn't directed at you, but I expect most to try and say that pic is an exception to their rule though.

 

[plasmawave]

Does that mean I can't cosplay as Idris Elba character from Pacific Rim ?

 

[Enzom21]

To be fair, they all have iconic, well known outfits. An orange prison jumpsuit is a little more generic.

Is this:

not iconic enough to wear without painting your skin?

 

[ivysaur12]

To be fair, they all have iconic, well known outfits. An orange prison jumpsuit is a little more generic.

From the OP, she looks like she was part of a group costume. She would've been fine if she didn't paint her skin.

 

[acrid]

I love how this country is oversensitive to everything.

Couldn't of said it better myself. I fear it will only get worse.

Eddie Murphy did this on SNL back in the 80's- he dressed up as a white guy and guess what....NOBODY GAVE A SHIT OR GOT OFFENDED.

Oh, then there was this horrid piece of shit. I was more offended that it was just a terrible movie.

 

[ivysaur12]

ITT: if people have different emotional reactions than you, they have over sensitive and apparently that's an epidemic now? Sure!

 

[KeeSomething]

She defined a character by the color of her skin. It's insulting.

It's only insulting if you are looking for things to be insulted over. At this rate, you must be offended by white people who wear tanning cream.

Personally, I think the only skin issue here is the fact that you need tougher skin.

 

[Onemic]

Couldn't of said it better myself. I fear it will only get worse.

Eddie Murphy did this on SNL back in the 80's- he dressed up as a white guy and guess what....NOBODY GAVE A SHIT OR GOT OFFENDED.

Oh, then there was this horrid piece of shit. I was more offended that it was just a terrible movie.

Historical context....How does that work?

 

[pulga]

Do you know who these characters are?

Shazam, foo

 

[Enzom21]

Couldn't of said it better myself. I fear it will only get worse.

Eddie Murphy did this on SNL back in the 80's- he dressed up as a white guy and guess what....NOBODY GAVE A SHIT OR GOT OFFENDED.

Oh, then there was this horrid piece of shit. I was more offended that it was just a terrible movie.

This country has a history of white minstrel shows?

Those examples you gave are of people playings characters, it's a completely different thing.

Just like no one complained about this:

 

[Origami Superman]

so what happens when a group of guys cosplay as the squad from Tropic Thunder?

edit: fair enough enzom

 

[Kitschkraft]

Couldn't of said it better myself. I fear it will only get worse.

Eddie Murphy did this on SNL back in the 80's- he dressed up as a white guy and guess what....NOBODY GAVE A SHIT OR GOT OFFENDED.

Oh, then there was this horrid piece of shit. I was more offended that it was just a terrible movie.

When whites say something that can be construed as racist, all I fucking see is people whining "but, context, context!".

But I see no context in your post.

"White Face" isn't a thing.

The time period in which it was acceptable for white artist to put on black face paint and perform as African Americans was also the Jim Crow era in which it was also okay for them to drag blacks outside and lynch them.

The time period in which White Chicks was made....nothing.

It's a terrible comparison.

Now, do I think that Julianne Hough was calling upon white terrorism when she made this costume? Maybe not. But she's an adult, she knew what she was doing, enough with the naivety.

As far as "is this an outrage", "is this offensive", "oversensitive"....Enough of that shit. I've never heard of her but I think she comes off like a country-bumpkin bigot based on this first impression. Is it either that something needs to be worthy of a revolution, or it shouldn't be spoken about at all? I'm sick of being told that we can't speak on problematic things in culture...less we risk the ever-omnipresent "PC police".

 

[Instigator]

Oversensitive GAF being oversensitive.

 

[thefit]

Sigh

 

[AstroLad]

I don't understand why celebs keep trying the blackface thing when it backfires every single time. Much cheaper and less offensive ways of dressing up as a black character.

 

[Kitschkraft]

Sigh

Not racist, they are dressing up as someone specific and not just random stereotypes.

 

[Coreda]

The hell? How is that blackface?

This is blackface as far as I'm concerned:

Meant to demean and make fun of people of darker skin and race. Clearly that was not her intention.

Seems like no one can paint their skin brown for innocuous reasons without some writer claiming 'racist blackface!'.

 

[blame space]

that power girl is really hot

 

[Trey]

Seems like no one can paint their skin brown for innocuous reasons without some writer claiming 'racist blackface!'.

It's generally thought to be tacky and insensitive. The value of dressing up as that minority character must be weighed against the connotations such an act inherently carries. People are going to be offended.

 

[acrid]

When whites say something that can be construed as racist, all I fucking see is people whining "but, context, context!".

But I see no context in your post.

"White Face" isn't a thing.

The time period in which it was acceptable for white artist to put on black face paint and perform as African Americans was also the Jim Crow era in which it was also okay for them to drag blacks outside and lynch them.

The time period in which White Chicks was made....nothing.

It's a terrible comparison.

Now, do I think that Julianne Hough was calling upon white terrorism when she made this costume? Maybe not. But she's an adult, she knew what she was doing, enough with the naivety.

As far as "is this an outrage", "is this offensive", "oversensitive"....Enough of that shit. I've never heard of her but I think she comes off like a country-bumpkin bigot based on this first impression. Is it either that something needs to be worthy of a revolution, or it shouldn't be spoken about at all? I'm sick of being told that we can't speak on problematic things in culture...less we risk the ever-omnipresent "PC police".

I think everyone is misunderstanding my post, so whatever. She dressed up as an African American from a tv show. I don't see what the big deal is. It's no different then either of my examples. The Trayvon Martin pic in this thread? Yeah, that's highly offensive, and rightfully so. The point I'm trying to make is the last sentence in your post:

"I'm sick of being told that we can't speak on problematic things in culture...less we risk the ever-omnipresent "PC police"

 

[Cat Party]

I'm not offended by this, but how stupid do you need to be to do this as a celebrity?

 

[thefit]

The hell? How is that blackface?

This is blackface as far as I'm concerned:

Meant to demean and make fun of people of darker skin and race. Clearly that was not her intention.

Seems like no one can paint their skin brown for innocuous reasons without some writer claiming 'racist blackface!'.

That's Al Jolson and he was anything but a racist I have some of his records. He painted his face because he was a Jew singing black songs.