Cosplayer called 'racist' for dressing as black character

[the_ultimate_evil]

A cosplayer is being called ‘racist’ for her blackface Michonne from ‘The Walking Dead’ costume.

Cosplay enthusiast, Kira Markeljc is receiving international backlash after going “blackface” in order to look like Michonne from The Walking Dead. According to Buzzfeed, “Tumblr user narulein…posted her friend’s makeup test on Tumblr last weekend.” The German artist, who is known as Purple Candy Cosplay on Facebook, has been working on the outfit for a while, and when the test picture went viral, she immediately deleted it and posted the following message.

Soooo, many people said i made a “blackface” with my michonne make up test. First: i only wanted to cosplay my favourite Character of the walking dead and i wanted to do her COMPLETLY.

Second: i am definitly not a racist, what many people said i hate racists and i have to say that i am not complete german so…

Third: i deleted the pictures if some of u feeled disturbed by them. That don’t means that i give up cosplaying michonne. I will do it anyway it is my free decision.

So guys, hope now u all are satisfied and hate more (Via)

Michonne is not the only Walking Dead character she dressed up as. 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 isn’t really helping.

http://www.projectcasting.com/news/...ackface-in-the-walking-dead-michonne-costume/


So any thoughts was she racist or are people over reacting.

 

[Doctor Evo]

A little of both, really.

 

[Sawyer]

I probably have to agree with Evo.

 

[Schlosser85]

If Michonne is her favorite character, I don't really see her as racist...

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I get why it's a touchy subject, but if this woman is known in the cosplay community then it's not like those asshats that have college parties and have a "ghetto" theme and tell people to come in black face. I think I understand her impulse. Still... It's a tricky, land mine filled subject. I will point out that whenever I see people of various backgrounds cosplay as mostly "white" characters they never feel the need to put Caucasian make up on. A black dude does Superman cosplay and he puts on the suit and may put on a wig... but that's it. A dark skinned latina wants to be Sif? Armor, shield, sword, again, maybe a wig... And that's it. In the end, my gut tells me no, it's not racist and it comes from a place of admiration. But... History is a hard thing to overcome and it's not necessary for cosplay I think, unless the character is one with totally inhuman skin, like green or purple or what ever the skin color Megan Fox had at the start of her career.

 

[SpideyFan866]

It's not racist. And it's not racist because it wasn't done with racist, and discriminatory, intent.

That said, this was a bad idea. People are too sensitive for something such as this to be acceptable. Which, is kind of sad.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

lol i've seen plenty of white girls cosplaying as Michonne without having to go the distance

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Being that she's German and probably unaware of the history of blackface in the United States I'm going to guess that this is a case of blissful ignorance rather than overt racism.

People from other countries simply don't know about the offensive minstrel shows from the early 20th century, United States.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

It's not racist. And it's not racist because it wasn't done with racist, and discriminatory, intent.

That said, this was a bad idea. People are too sensitive for something such as this to be acceptable. Which, is kind of sad.

It's sad that people remember their history?

I guess Jews should be completely oblivious when someone wears a swastika.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

 

[Spider-Aziz]

It's harsh to call her racist and go public about it, they should approach her calmly and give private advice as to why people find this uncomfortable.

It's sad that people remember their history?

Do they do it because they remember their history? Or just because that feels insulting?

I guess Jews should be completely oblivious when someone wears a swastika.

Swastika is a Hindu/Buddhist symbol, represents the never ending times or cycle for some, has other meanings for others.

Did you know CocaCola used Swastika back in the 30s? And the company is owned by Jews?

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

Whoever labels this girl as a ''racist'' is a moron. The context of doing this is completely different from what it once stood for in the 19th century.

But hey, White Chicks is still cool, right?

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I laugh at this, and am annoyed that you reminded me of that horrid film.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

It's harsh to call her racist and go public about it, they should approach her calmly and give private advice as to why people find this uncomfortable.
Do they do it because they remember their history? Or just because that feels insulting?

I already stated that I don't think she was being racist, she was being ignorant.

and if you do something ignorant on twitter or Facebook expect to be called out on it publicly. That's not just black people, that's the reality of social media.

Swastika is a Hindu/Buddhist symbol, represents the never ending times or cycle for some, has other meanings for others.

Did you know CocaCola used Swastika back in the 30s? And the company is owned by Jews?

When people use the Swastika in the Western world today the vast majority of the time it isn't Buddhist or about soda. It's still used as a symbol for Nazism in most cases.

But you already know that.

 

[knowsbleed]

Seems like she was just trying to show off her friend's makeup test... it's her reaction that is off-putting. Her site is "getting more likes"... and that's really what matters.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I already stated that I don't think she was being racist, she was being ignorant.

My first comment wasn't in response to your post, I will assure that.

and if you do something ignorant on twitter or Facebook expect to be called out on it publicly. That's not just black people, that's the reality of social media.

Not hard to expect, I still wonder if people calling her out on that do it because they remember that bit of history.

When people use the Swastika in the Western world today the vast majority of the time it isn't Buddhist or about soda. It's still used as a symbol for Nazism in most cases.

But you already know that.

Maybe.
I can bring lecture long posts about the use of swastika in different media and structures, they are not about the icon used to represent Nazism. But that is for another discussion, I'll try not to drag this thread off-topic any further than this.

 

[SuperFerret]

Racist? No.

Stupid? Yes.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

^Best comment.
At least it's not a tan or surgery, guess that makes it less stupid.

Seems like she was just trying to show off her friend's makeup test... it's her reaction that is off-putting. Her site is "getting more likes"... and that's really what matters.

'Likes' to the quality of the cosplay, maybe.
Events like this can increase the likes and visitors someone's page or site gets. There is the "we like your skill and dedication" reaction that follows the "That's racist" response.

 

[The Question]

Whoever labels this girl as a ''racist'' is a moron. The context of doing this is completely different from what it once stood for in the 19th century.

But hey, White Chicks is still cool, right?

White Chicks was never cool.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

White Chicks was never cool.

Were they called racist? Did the movie make a noise?

 

[Galactus123]

I don't see any problem in this.

 

[The Question]

Were they called racist? Did the movie make a noise?

They weren't called racist, but "whiteface" doesn't have the same historical context of awfulness as blackface does, and white people, as a group, don't have a history and modern reality of being discriminated against like black people do. Racism doesn't exist on a level playing field. That's what makes it what it is.

 

[SlamAdams]

Whoever labels this girl as a ''racist'' is a moron. The context of doing this is completely different from what it once stood for in the 19th century.

But hey, White Chicks is still cool, right?

It's not really comparable though. First of all, there's no historical context for whiteface like there is for blackface. Who is going to have more problem at a costume party: the guy who dresses like an American WWII soldier or the guy who dresses like a German WWII soldier? In White Chicks, its about black guys dressed like white people and the absurdity of it, not black guys trying to pass as white people. Same reason no one claimed blackface with Tropic Thunder.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

They weren't called racist, but "whiteface" doesn't have the same historical context of awfulness as blackface does, and white people, as a group, don't have a history and modern reality of being discriminated against like black people do. Racism doesn't exist on a level playing field. That's what makes it what it is.

Thanks for the lesson.
My question was to explain what Lunar_Wolf meant.

 

[knowsbleed]

It's unacceptable for white people to imitate any other race... that's just how it is.