Cosplayer called 'racist' for dressing as black character

[Bullseye1]

Hate message for doing something that wouldn't normally be considered offensive is considered bullying/trolling. Hate messages for doing something that could potentially offend someone, especially pertaining to race, beliefs or culture, is called backlash and is the consequence of those actions.

Backlash has turned into bullying. The backlash was also unwarranted as it did not take account of geography and social upbringing of the individual. I had not heard of black face until reading this thread. I'm not American and neither is she. Do you or the people who cry fowl know about the history of every other country and its social history?

 

[Howlett]

Hate message for doing something that wouldn't normally be considered offensive is considered bullying/trolling. Hate messages for doing something that could potentially offend someone, especially pertaining to race, beliefs or culture, is called backlash and is the consequence of those actions.

It's funny because you demand this girl apologize or say "sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't know. It was meant to be a positive thing." but the hate messages are somehow justified instead of recommending people send her messages like, "hey, some people might find that offensive, here's why... maybe you should consider taking it down."

But according to you, it's ok, justified even, for people to send this girl hate mail when there was absolutely no intent to offend which is completely absurd.

 

[Bullseye1]

It's funny because you demand this girl apologize or say "sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't know. It was meant to be a positive thing." but the hate messages are somehow justified instead of recommending people send her messages like, "hey, some people might find that offensive, maybe you should consider taking it down."

But according to you, it's ok, justified even, for people to send this girl hate mail when there was absolutely no intent to offend is completely absurd.

Bingo!

 

[knowsbleed]

Backlash has turned into bullying. The backlash was also unwarranted as it did not take account of geography and social upbringing of the individual. I had not heard of black face until reading this thread. I'm not American and neither is she. Do you or the people who cry fowl know about the history of every other country and its social history?

*sigh*

I'll just restate this instead of arguing her about whether her initial picture posting was done with malicious intent (which I don't believe it was).

To diffuse the potential explosion of even more hate/bullying. How do you get a bully to stop bullying you, you ignore the bully and the bully eventually stops.

You diffuse the situation.

She took the pictures down, which either meant she was tired of getting hateful replies from people who were most likely offended, she realized she made a mistake or a combination of both. Had she followed that up with something like "I didn't mean to offend anybody but if I did, I apologize"... I'm sure the backlash wouldn't be nearly as severe as "I'm not a racist but thanks for giving me more attention".

 

[Bullseye1]

*sigh*

I'll just restate this instead of arguing her about whether her initial picture posting was done with malicious intent (which I don't believe it was).

I'm not disagreeing that she could have defused the situation but she was not given advice or the chance to. She was jumped upon. Regardless you still think it's acceptable to take the hateful backlash. Where is your condemnation of these idiots?

 

[knowsbleed]

It's funny because you demand this girl apologize or say "sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't know. It was meant to be a positive thing." but the hate messages are somehow justified instead of recommending people send her messages like, "hey, some people might find that offensive, here's why... maybe you should consider taking it down."

But according to you, it's ok, justified even, for people to send this girl hate mail when there was absolutely no intent to offend which is completely absurd.

Yes, because that's exactly what I said... *sigh*

I said I don't have sympathy for her due to her reaction. If she's receiving hateful messages because she offended people and if she takes your advice and says "screw you, I do what I want" (which is pretty much what she did), then of course she'll get more backlash. If she took the high road, perhaps the backlash wouldn't have been as harsh... but yes, there are other ignorant people in the world who just spew whatever they want to spew... posting her pictures on the internet will get those people regardless of what she posts.

So please, don't twist my words to make your argument more valid.

 

[knowsbleed]

I'm not disagreeing that she could have defused the situation but she was not given advice or the chance to. She was jumped upon. Regardless you still think it's acceptable to take the hateful backlash. Where is your condemnation of these idiots?

Where did I say this? Please show me.

 

[Howlett]

*sigh*

I'll just restate this instead of arguing her about whether her initial picture posting was done with malicious intent (which I don't believe it was).

Wait, then why did you say their hateful messages towards her were ok or were justified?

 

[Howlett]

Where did I say this? Please show me.

Here...

Hate messages for doing something that could potentially offend someone, especially pertaining to race, beliefs or culture, is called backlash and is the consequence of those actions.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Misguided? Yes.

Racist? No.

 

[Iron_Stark]

How is this 13 pages? There was nothing racist about this.

Geez people are too damn sensitive, it's not like she was mocking a race, or going on a racist diatribe or going blackface like those idiotic old timey movies.

 

[Shlee]

I will remember all the "not racist" remarks when I tape my eyes for a Mako Mori cosplay, and tint my skin to have more yellow undertones. In the name of perfect screen accuracy. Thank you for letting me know that is perfectly acceptable and even commendable.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

okay shlee

 

[Howlett]

I will remember all the "not racist" remarks when I tape my eyes for a Mako Mori cosplay, and tint my skin to have more yellow undertones. In the name of perfect screen accuracy. Thank you for letting me know that is perfectly acceptable and even commendable.

You can do it more easily and effectively with makeup.


Also is this racist? This isn't even cosplay.

 

[Shlee]

I don't even know or understand what that is, so I can't make a judgment call on that one.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

thats how to catfish someone

 

[Howlett]

I don't even know or understand what that is, so I can't make a judgment call on that one.

It's half of makeup to make her eyes look more Caucasian.

Then there's also this...
Asia's ideal beauty: Looking Caucasian
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/25/health/asian-beauty/

 

[Shlee]

Are Caucasians generally discriminated against where she's from, or even around the world?

If not, then no. Also, using foundation or powder a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural skin tone isn't a big deal. And colored contacts to make the eyes look bigger or a more pleasing color isn't an issue either. But I see what they are doing as "make up", meant to emulate a style they find pleasing by enhancing their (mostly) natural features. It makes them feel more attractive, and ultimately they are doing it as a personal statement.

They aren't painting their whole bodies and doing out-of-the-ordinary things to themselves. Fake eyelashes and colored contacts are pretty tame and normal.

Edit: the idea of making oneself " look Caucasian " is a much more deep-seated issue. You will find that all over the world, because white people have generally had all the power and social influence over what is "normal" and beautiful. They sell skin-lightening creams in tons of countries. Because people are supposed to look white, and being a dark skin color is something to be ashamed of.

 

[Howlett]

Are Caucasians generally discriminated against where she's from, or even around the world?

Oh, we're dealing in generalities now.

If not, then no. Also, using foundation or powder a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural skin tone isn't a big deal. And colored contacts to make the eyes look bigger or a more pleasing color isn't an issue either. But I see what they are doing as "make up", meant to emulate a style they find pleasing by enhancing their (mostly) natural features. It makes them feel more attractive, and ultimately they are doing it as a personal statement.

How interesting. These are very similar arguments made for this cosplayer's makeup job.

They aren't painting their whole bodies and doing out-of-the-ordinary things to themselves. Fake eyelashes and colored contacts are pretty tame and normal.

Who did that? And who are you to decide what is tame, normal or acceptable? Are you white? If you are, apparently you don't get a say.(by the way somehow that's a totally acceptable question and response to white people discussing this girl's costume.)

 

[Shlee]

Yes. Black people around the world are "generally" discriminated against, especially in predominantly homogenous areas, but also especially in "melting pot" places like the US. So yes, that factors in, generality or not.

Also, the cosplayer was not doing this as a personal statement. She was doing it to look "exactly" like another person, to the point of painting her nose to look super different and much bigger than it was.

I am white. And I don't get to decide what is "normal". But I can make observations about what I see as normal in Western societies as far as make up is concerned. As a woman it's not like I am totally ignorant about that stuff, since it is marketed at me.

Regardless, trying to bait me into a full out argument is pointless. And if you read my edit about whitewashing around the world, you might understand those motivations, and realize that it's insidious racism, and internalized too

 

[Howlett]

Yes. Black people around the world are "generally" discriminated against, especially in predominantly homogenous areas, but also especially in "melting pot" places like the US. So yes, that factors in, generality or not.

"Generally" doesn't apply when it's obvious a specific someone is not doing that. Outrage for no reason, or applying your reason to others is not ok.

Also, the cosplayer was not doing this as a personal statement. She was doing it to look "exactly" like another person, to the point of painting her nose to look super different and much bigger than it was.

So she didn't do a perfect painting.

I am white.

I don't care and it shouldn't matter.

And I don't get to decide what is "normal". But I can make observations about what I see as normal in Western societies as far as make up is concerned. As a woman it's not like I am totally ignorant about that stuff, since it is marketed at me.

Then you know women of all colors are photoshopped into unobtainable images. Where's the outrage over that?

Regardless, trying to bait me into a full out argument is pointless. And if you read my edit about whitewashing around the world, you might understand those motivations, and realize that it's insidious racism, and internalized too

I'm not baiting you into anything. You have almost successfully changed the subject, but back to topic, this was not blackface as almost everyone has stated, therefore it's not racist.

Context and intent matter.

 

[Vartha]

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

To ME it's done tastefully. I just don't see why there's a problem if a fan dresses as their Hero. Whether it's someone of another race, or another sex.

 

[Shlee]

Then you know women of all colors are photoshopped into unobtainable images. Where's the outrage over that?

How is that relevant? You have no idea what I do or don't get "outraged" by, and regardless, that has nothing to do with what we were talking about.

Also, I said I was white because you insinuated that it needed clarification.

In any case, I already put out the "agree to disagree" olive branch. You, with your filters and life experiences, don't see what she did as racist. I do. Rehashing the argument is going to get us nowhere, and I'm tired of having my words twisted around to make me seem like some crazy b***h. So, if you care to continue this conversation without getting defensive, feel free to PM me. If not, no skin off my nose.

 

[Kane52630]

thats how to catfish someone

 

[The Guard]

How can you consider this racist when it doesn't meet the definition of racist?

the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
•prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.





Racially insensitive, perhaps.

Racist? No.