Right here.
She didn't have to do it. I personally find the idea of skin color as a costume offensive. Particularly when there's a whole damn site showing how unnecessary it is.
Cosplayer being labeled Racist for her blackface Michonne From The Walking Dead'
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Right here.
She didn't have to do it. I personally find the idea of skin color as a costume offensive. Particularly when there's a whole damn site showing how unnecessary it is.
ãInaba Residentã
Banned
The cosplay itself isn't racist though. Thats what I'm saying. She isn't doing a caricature of a black person. She doesn't have huge, red lips and her skin isn't straight up black. She's doing it out of admiration and love of the character. She doesn't have to, but she wants to be accurate as possible.
Its makes no sense to be offended by it.
Pankratous
Member
Not racist at all. Not even 'in poor taste' as mentioned before. Completely acceptable. People need to stop being so sensitive. Of course she wants to look as close as possible to the character (and actress) she obviously admires.
I think some people forgot what blackface really is.
Her cosplay is nowhere near that.
The meaning behind words aren't static, they're dynamic. They evolve alongside the realities of a shifting society.
Why don't you take your own advice?
Zen_Arcade
Banned
That's really a grey area. It's technically labeled a racist act, but I think most people wouldn't treat it as such because they understand that the intent wasn't there. At least I would hope so. I think it's pretty ridiculous to expect a person to know every stereotype and everything that's seen as offensive in every culture. And I think it's even more ridiculous to treat that person as if they actually were a racist because they didn't understand why what they did was wrong.
Broder Salsa
Banned
"When asked about the controversy, Markeljc commented, Everyone who makes something good gets haters, right. I see it as something special, my site also gets more likes, which isnt really doing her any favors. Meanwhile, even white people dont want to dress up as CORAL."
Summer Haze
Banned
This is the problem. People just throwing around that label without actually knowing what it means. Look up the meaning of the word 'racist', or 'racism', then see if that applies to what this girl did.
It doesn't.
She can put on a wig, hell everything that made Michonne is up for grabs: katana, headscarf, have two armless dudes on chains. Changing her skin color to be more accurate is stupid and offensive.
I'm black and if I want to go out for Halloween as Thor, I'd put on a blonde wig, armor, hammer. But changing my skin color? Why the fuck would I do that? I'm dressed like Thor! I'm not trying to be him.
Lol this guy.
I actually just tried. Couldn't find a damn thing. Please advise.
Yes. Wish I could find that graph of internet vs real life outrage for this.
Blackface is bad, but this isn't blackface, its a quality costume.
Corronchilejano
Member
That means she shouldn't do it?
The site is dedicated to black people doing cosplays, so no one should change their skin tone to match who they're trying to mimick? Also, her costume isn't her skin color. The skin color is part of the cosplay.
I get blackface was a thing, but can you explain to me why trying to look like someone specifically from another ethnicity is insensitive in this case? She's not making fun of it, she's not demeaning it, and she has clearly even done other characters from the show.
Cause I don't ignore people.
well, considering that the lips got the shaft, she must clearly not care about the character
Pankratous
Member
And I'm pretty sure if you did change your skin colour to match Thor, absolutely nobody on earth would care. This is simply a case of people being too sensitive.
There is just simply no reason to be offended by this.
ãInaba Residentã
Banned
"make up test." I'm pretty sure she wasn't finished. The character's nose is larger than hers so she probably just did that for time being or isn't a very good makeup artist.
Some people really need to look up the definition of words they throw around. She wasn't being racist, being racist means being prejudice or discriminatory towards someone due to their race. At what point did she do that? She was trying to faithfully recreate a character. Sure it may be in bad taste, but that's mainly because of the world we live in and our history.
Apparently it is. People are acting like changing the skin color is the only way anyone would recognize what they are or something.
I'm black and I went as 80s Michael Jackson one year. I used make up to lighten my skin a bit. I drew a fake cleft on my chin. I used make up to make my nose look slimmer and my jawline more square. Absolutely nobody thought it was strange. I was trying to look exactly like him, as much as possible. Why wouldn't changing skin color be a part of that process?
YES SHE SHOULD NOT DO IT.
Don't do blackface because it's ~still~ offensive. I really can't make this any simpler.
Summer Haze
Banned
So basically: put aside your logical reasoning, because I'm offended, and that should come above everything else, regardless of it's logical? Am I reading that correctly?
yeah sure, if they want to. It wouldn't be racist then either.
Then don't give that advice.
BBQMan
Member
You clearly didn't even try. Try googling racism in other countries it will open your closed mind.
justjustin
Member
This person thought the skin tone was an important enough aspect of the character to paint her own face black. Whatever her intent, it reflects a racist value. I'm sure there are cosplayers who strive for absolute accuracy and skin color does not even come to mind.
Her blackface isn't even dark enough, aside from the other obvious inaccuracies.
Her blackface isn't even dark enough, aside from the other obvious inaccuracies.
ãInaba Residentã
Banned
stahp.
I think you should since you still haven't explained how its offensive.
backflip10019
Member
『Inaba Resident』;135128044 said:
What I'm saying is that her intentions don't nullify anything. She can do whatever she wants and people can find it offensive. It doesn't matter if she's trying to be as close to the character as possible. The mere act of changing one's skin tone for entertainment purposes can't be separated from the blackface caricatures from earlier in history.
And the other thing is that it absolutely must have crossed her mind at some point while applying makeup that some people would find this offensive. Unless she's a complete and utter moron who is tone deaf to culture, there's no way she did this without thinking of the ramifications.
Sho_Nuff82
Member
She actually kind of nailed the look. Well done. Things like this and the little kid who dressed like MLK Jr for his class presentation don't bother me. Things like American college students putting on black makeup to portray 'thugs' and having chicken & watermelon parties is modern day blackface.
Got to choose your battles, I'm not getting worked up over this.
Got to choose your battles, I'm not getting worked up over this.
Parallax
best seen in the classic "Shadow of the Beast"
All thst black heimdall hate says otherwise.
She didnt do blackface, so all is well. Blackface != respectful recreation of a black character.
The Lamonster
Member
This was a respectful tribute to one of her favorite characters, who happens to be a different race than her.
I guarantee that in Brazil no one gives a fuck about this too. As in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLQ5HnMCFTY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruoEN1yFf_I
Exactly.
If you don't want to ignore me because you disagree with what I say, then I can't help you and that is a personal issue.
Short answer? Yes.
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
At this point people on any side of the issue are just talking at each other while overlooking any sensible posts taking any position. There's nothing to be gleaned or learned at this point.
Did she prepare her Michonne cosplay with the sole intent of offending black people? No? Then it is not racist.
Many people are so sentitive they'll turn little things into a big deal. Plus, this is the first time I've read the term "Blackface" and apparently it is only known in the US. She wouldn't have known, she's from Germany according to the article.
Many people are so sentitive they'll turn little things into a big deal. Plus, this is the first time I've read the term "Blackface" and apparently it is only known in the US. She wouldn't have known, she's from Germany according to the article.
Just called out a dumb and useless response is all. My skin is perfectly fine.
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