Were you offended by Northwestern blackface? (Normal: college, celebrities, racist)

[lenniel]

Apparently, a couple NU students dressed up in blackface (one was Bob Marley) for Halloween and their pics end up on the web. This has created a big hub bub and even promoted a meeting to discuss racial issues at NU?

What do you think? I think they are blowing this way out of proportion and as long as the costumes weren't done with the intention to offend blacks. Seems like some people are just looking for an opportunity to be offended. What say you?

Students in blackface causing controversy at NU - wgntv.com

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Apparently, a couple NU students dressed up in blackface (one was Bob Marley) for Halloween and their pics end up on the web. This has created a big hub bub and even promoted a meeting to discuss racial issues at NU?

What do you think? I think they are blowing this way out of proportion and as long as the costumes weren't done with the intention to offend blacks. Seems like some people are just looking for an opportunity to be offended. What say you?

Students in blackface causing controversy at NU - wgntv.com

Yes it is a little offensive. Blackface was part of the Jim Crow era. For one thing Bob Marley is light complexion, so putting on blackface was definately uncalled for. They should of stuck with the Marley's dreads without going the extra mile.

[Basekamp]

He's a poor college student. Maybe he couldn't afford a better costume...

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Basekamp

He's a poor college student. Maybe he couldn't afford a better costume...

Poor is right...$51,000 year at NU!

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Apparently, a couple NU students dressed up in blackface (one was Bob Marley) for Halloween and their pics end up on the web. This has created a big hub bub and even promoted a meeting to discuss racial issues at NU?

What do you think? I think they are blowing this way out of proportion and as long as the costumes weren't done with the intention to offend blacks. Seems like some people are just looking for an opportunity to be offended. What say you?

Students in blackface causing controversy at NU - wgntv.com

Normally I'd agree with you. But the kid was clearly applying his costume as a nod to blackface, the racially offensive version, and not just darkening his skin to look like a famous guy who had darker skin.

[Avengerfire]

I am offended by this thread to tell you the truth.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by Basekamp

He's a poor college student. Maybe he couldn't afford a better costume...

or he could just be himself for halloween

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I am offended by this thread to tell you the truth.

That gave me a chuckle.
Sort of like the Seinfeld episode where Jerry's dentist converts to Judism and then starts telling Jewish jokes. Jerry goes to a Catholic priest and explains that he's offended
Priest: "and this offends you as a Jewish person"
Jerry: "No, it offends me as a comedian!"

[JBryant]

I think the label "blackface" shouldn't even be remotely applied. They're not going "in blackface" for the sake of going "in blackface." Their costumes were Serena Williams and Usain Bolt (not Bob Marley, as several posters on other boards have pointed out).

Dressing as a celebrity on Halloween, regardless of race, has been going on. So we're now saying that all races are now restricted to dressing as characters of another race, color or creed?

So does that mean only African-Americans dressed with pointy teeth and a cape MUST be Blackula, but cannot be Dracula? They're kids who dressed as celebrities. Would there be so much outrage if they used brown paint instead of black paint? I'm sure there wouldn't be, and the word "blackface" is incorrectly labeled amongst these kids.

Seriously, this is blown way out of proportion. If you want to dress as Serena Williams, and you're white ... what are your options?

I guess we're going to identify EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN who went as Pocohontas and label them offensive because they didn't have to paint their body a color that isn't their own?

The whole series of complaints and exaggerated media reports is what's offensive to me. I bet if you asked any of them what "blackface" was, they wouldn't have a reply, because it, at least to me, their intent is hardly that to be called racist. Maybe in poor taste with such crappy costumes, but racist? Please.

[surlycue]

I think all of the people in this post defending blackface must be way too young to understand the years of systematic racism that it represents. Just because they weren't singing old man river doesn't mean it isn't grossly inappropriate. You can wear a costume and emulate the person by dressing like them, getting a wig, gesturing, etc. Even if the college kids did not intend offense they are educated enough to understand the implications of shoe polishing their faces.