Is 'blacking up' racist?

[stackmonkey 10]

if the blacking up is obviously being done for a particular event, you should be OK, although some will see it as racist.

It would be VERY funny if say, (I'm assuming you're white) you blacked up and a black friend of yours whited up and you went as a duo? (paul McCartney and STevie wonder?)

[ninja1889 10]

If no-one went to a fancy dress as a black character, then surely that is discriminating against blacks?

[Scozzie 10]

I went to a party dressed as Whoopie Goldberg from Sister Act...... thing is, I went into the venue, chatted to a few random people and realised no one else was in fancy dress - I'd gone into the wrong building - a CHURCH of all places - dressed as a black nun.

 

They all said I looked great and when I finally got to the right party thing were all ok there too.

There was someone dressed as Shrek too - so I wasn't the only coloured person there!!

[Harleyman 12]

By todays standards it would be racist.

 

The Black and White Minstrel show for those old enough to remenber it is regarded today as being racist and the show long gone

[stackmonkey 10]

Let's put it this way; remember prince harry/william in the Nazi costume?

There's a very fine line..........

[Solomon1 10]

Is 'blacking up' racist?

 

yes it is geek andy

[MrEngland 10]

yes it is geek andy

 

Why is it?

[Solomon1 10]

Why is it?

 

its quite difficult to explain.....more a gut reaction than anything else.

 

i'll have a think.....

[Solomon1 10]

Why is it?

 

ok...here's one thing.....

 

white people are pretty clueless when it comes to appreciating what its like to be a black person.

 

especially in a country mostly run by old white men....

 

they think they know

 

but they don't

 

just like none of us can really know anything about anything.......until we've experienced that exact experience.

 

so for a white person to black up....

 

well....to me, it trivialises what its actually like to be a black person

[Solomon1 10]

also, the people that tend to do it are usually arrogant, insensitive, attention-seekers

 

i've yet to meet an emotionally intelligent, educated person who blacks up

[MrEngland 10]

ok...here's one thing.....

 

white people are pretty clueless when it comes to appreciating what its like to be a black person.

 

especially in a country mostly run by old white men....

 

they think they know

 

but they don't

 

just like none of us can really know anything about anything.......until we've experienced that exact experience.

 

so for a white person to black up....

 

well....to me, it trivialises what its actually like to be a black person

Fair enough. Thanks for the answer

[Solomon1 10]

Fair enough. Thanks for the answer

 

you are welcome mr england