Cosplayer called 'racist' for dressing as black character

[Teelie]

It should be equally unacceptable to pretend to be any other race then. If you truly want equality. It's not equality if you're banning one people from doing something that everyone else is permitted to do.

In this instance SuperFerret summed it up. It wasn't racist but it was stupid or ignorant to do.

 

[SlamAdams]

It should be equally unacceptable to pretend to be any other race then. If you truly want equality. It's not equality if you're banning one people from doing something that everyone else is permitted to do.

But you aren't starting with equal-footing in the first place. White actors used blackface (and other racist faces) to marginalize actors who were those races. That never happened with white face. One stings more than the other, that has to be taken into consideration. I will never be scared of a non-white person taking my job or representing me as a person in whiteface makeup.

 

[Teelie]

So until we allow "white face" to be come racist, it's okay to do it? Is that what you mean by getting on equal footing? At what point does an eye-for-an-eye become a bunch of blind folks stumbling into one another?

Why not jump to the end and stop allowing one race to "one up" the others until they are even?

 

[SlamAdams]

So until we allow "white face" to be come racist, it's okay to do it? Is that what you mean by getting on equal footing? At what point does an eye-for-an-eye become a bunch of blind folks stumbling into one another?

Why not jump to the end and stop allowing one race to "one up" the others until they are even?

No, what I am saying is that "whiteface" will never be racist. Because no one really cares. The only people who do care only care because they can't do blackface.

 

[SpideyFan866]

It's sad that people remember their history?

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

No. It's sad that, when something like this (a simple cosplay/costume) is done, people still assume it has to have racist intent.

I'd really like to think that we've all progressed enough as a species where racists are in the minority, and when things like this happen, we won't automatically assume it was an act of discrimination. OR, that its inherently racist, when it is not.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

No. It's sad that, when something like this (a simple cosplay/costume) is done, people still assume it has to have racist intent.

I'd really like to think that we've all progressed enough as a species where racists are in the minority, and when things like this happen, we won't automatically assume it was an act of discrimination. OR, that its inherently racist, when it is not.

Well I gave her the benefit of the doubt because she's a foreigner who possibly never saw racist blackface footage from the early 20th century America.

But people are better off avoiding blackface altogether to avoid any possible misgivings.

 

[knowsbleed]

How often do you see "white face" other than in White Chicks? Also, every time I've seen it, it has been in mockery of black/other race face... not in an actual attempt for a race to imitate white people. It doesn't seem to have the same negative stigmas attached to it.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

Same reason no one claimed blackface with Tropic Thunder.

umm yes they did, there was a huge blow up when the photos were released, along with more protests over the use of black face and the films use of mental disability

 

[Vartha]

Wasn't there an issue like this a couple years ago involving an Asian CHARACTER and Caucasian cosplayer?
I see no problem personally

 

[SlamAdams]

umm yes they did, there was a huge blow up when the photos were released, along with more protests over the use of black face and the films use of mental disability

And then a collective "oh I get it!" when the trailer came out

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

And then a collective "oh I get it!" when the trailer came out

still doesn't matter, people first reactions were to scream racist. the same thing could be said for this cosplayer, people seen a photo and then jumped from a great height

 

[SlamAdams]

still doesn't matter, people first reactions were to scream racist. the same thing could be said for this cosplayer, people seen a photo and then jumped from a great height

But she had no other point than to look like a black person, unlike Tropic Thunder which was lampooning method acting.

 

[knowsbleed]

Like I said, the fact that she did it doesn't bother me... she seems like a fan. It's her reaction to it that throws me off. Almost as if saying, "I'm not really sorry if I offended anybody but I'll go ahead and take the photos down anyway... and I'm glad for all the attention I'm getting".

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

But she had no other point than to look like a black person, unlike Tropic Thunder which was lampooning method acting.

which you could argue she is doing herself. she is acting as her favorite character and doing it to a degree that requires her using make up to change skin tone

i'm not saying its right or wrong but you could argue that its on a similar idea as someone dying they're hair, wearing contacts or false teeth. its on a much more difficult to obtain level but it still going to a level to create a character

 

[SlamAdams]

which you could argue she is doing herself. she is acting as her favorite character and doing it to a degree that requires her using make up to change skin tone

i'm not saying its right or wrong but you could argue that its on a similar idea as someone dying they're hair, wearing contacts or false teeth. its on a much more difficult to obtain level but it still going to a level to create a character

I don't think there is any argument for her lampooning method acting or blackface.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

So until we allow "white face" to be come racist, it's okay to do it? Is that what you mean by getting on equal footing? At what point does an eye-for-an-eye become a bunch of blind folks stumbling into one another?

Why not jump to the end and stop allowing one race to "one up" the others until they are even?

There's nothing especially malicious about white face.

Just like no one protested when Jonah Hill imitated a Latino during 22 Jump Street.

But black face was popularized when blacks were second class citizens in order to validate white supremacy.

People can get away with it (Tropic Thunder, Soul Man) but it can't even hint at white supremacy.

 

[Vartha]

I don't think there is any argument for her lampooning method acting or blackface.

There's no way that's blackface

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

I don't think there is any argument for her lampooning method acting or blackface.

I didnt say she was lampooning it just that she may be actually doing it(method cosplay). im not saying thats right but some could say if she was going to portray the character she should go the whole way

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

umm yes they did, there was a huge blow up when the photos were released, along with more protests over the use of black face and the films use of mental disability

I don't recall a huge blow up or significant protest over RDJ in blackface.

I do recall the advocates for the mentally challenged complaining.

 

[SlamAdams]

I didnt say she was lampooning it just that she may be actually doing it(method cosplay). im not saying thats right but some could say if she was going to portray the character she should go the whole way

You didn't? I said Tropic Thunder was lampooning it and you said "which you could argue she is doing herself." So what else does that mean?

 

[SlamAdams]

There's no way that's blackface

There's no way? I don't think she meant to be racist, but I don't see how there isn't at least one way to conclude that is. It's a white person using make up to be a black person

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

You didn't? I said Tropic Thunder was lampooning it and you said "which you could argue she is doing herself." So what else does that mean?

i meant method acting itself, should have been clearer

 

[SlamAdams]

i meant method acting itself, should have been clearer

She's not acting though

 

[SuperT]

Sorry but Black-Face is NEVER acceptable, I don't care what your intent is. It wouldn't be acceptable for a black person to pretend to be Asian, or an asian person to pretend to be Hispanic either.

Stop appropriating other cultures for entertainment.

 

[Farren]

I'm inclined to let this one slide because she is German and is a makeup artist who is probably trying to learn and experiment with her skill. Is it problematic? Yes. But come on, bounds of reason: we all know she didn't mean anything negative with it.