Recently, on a friend's FB page, she posted pics of the outfits she and her husband wore for a Halloween party. (SN: Every year, she posts pics and their costumes are usually fabulous). This year, they decided to go as reality tv personalities--her costume (Brett Michaels from Rock of Love) was fine; his? Well, he decided to go as Flavor Flav. No problem, right? Um, erra, well...I forgot to mention that he's white...and he went in Blackface. Yup!! You got it--he painted his white skin to portray a black man and so...the birth of this post (don't miss the Birth of a Nation reference).
I feel a public service announcement coming on: (tapping mic). "Hello?? Can anyone out there hear me? It is never a good idea when someone from the majority culture (read: White) dresses up as a member of an oppressed minority group (read: Black, LBGT, etc.). I repeat, if you are white, don't paint your skin black!!" (Ok, well maybe I didn't actually repeat it, but...I'm sure you get my point).
I don't care what people have you thinking about this so-called Post-Racial America foolishness, but America has had and still has a problem with RACE. I don't care if you want to believe that we should be color blind (we shouldn't be...color makes for a vibrant tapestry; it's discrimination that's problematic), you cannot dress in Black face and think it's okay. Somewhere, someone who is reading this is saying, "What's your problem? It's a costume. Lighten up!! Why can't I wear Blackface?" (insert a smug sarcastic look that most donkeys have). Well, I am glad you have asked. Here are my top 10 reasons about why one shouldn't wear Blackface (or tell racist jokes, or use racial epithets or do demeaning ish):
Top 10 Reasons You Shouldn't Wear Blackface:
10. It's Racist/ Prejudiced
9. It speaks to your ignorance about the history of minstrelsy in America
8. Everyone who just thought you were stupid, now knows you are--keep 'em guessing
7. It's a risk to your physical safety and well being
6. It's a risk to someone else's physical safety and well being
5. It's 2010 and you should know better
4. The Civil Rights Era
3. Lynching
2. Slavery
1. Because doing so undermines an entire race of people who have been denigrated throughout the history of this country. Because doing so keeps us that much farther from ever being the United States of America. Because doing so is Wrong...plain and simple.
In case you have any questions, watch the following clip from Spike Lee's brilliantly satirical, beautifully controversial movie Bamboozled:
Blackface
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