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Why did people paint their face black?

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **2/7/19 8:06 am**

It is understood that in the 1800s - white folks painted their faces black to make fun of blacks.

But why did people do it in the 1980s?

I never had any desire to do so.

I'm not pure here:
I confess I did get a Indian feather while in the Great Smoky Mountains - and wore it while I played on the Indian team in "Cowboys and Indians" - but I was heavily influenced by the TV stars of the day - but I didn't paint myself red.

I even spiked my hair in the 1980s and pretended to be a punk rocker - but that was it.

What was the appeal of blackface in the 80s and 90s and 2000s?
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Re: Why did people paint their face black?

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **2/7/19 9:43 am**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 7307 **2/7/19 11:33 am**

Al Jolson?

MAMMIE!

The Jazz Singer?
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Acts-dicted Posts: 8065 **2/8/19 10:41 am**

I've heard that some of the black face in the early days was due to the fact that blacks were barred from performing in white-only theatres. Thus, whites had to play the part of black characters.
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Surely intent matters...

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **2/8/19 12:52 pm**

Fallon, Kimmel, Downey, and others have done blackface in skits or movies. Apparently, it is mainly directed at conservatives (except in the case in Virginia where, apparently, no one notified the "I'm Outraged, Inc." that the governor was a liberal).

The good news is that eventually people are going to get so sick of being called a racist or sexist for otherwise innocent behavior that all of this will lose its punch. In fact, "racism" is already losing its punch. In the past, if you were called a racist, it meant something serious. Today? Not so much. Since just about anything that can be conceived as racist will be called racist. So it's losing its effect.

At the same time, some of the nation's biggest celebrities and athletes are/were black. I can absolutely understand why someone might have dressed up in blackface to emulate Michael Jordan at a costume party--or Michael Jackson, etc. If the intent is to do so because of one's esteem for a person, that seems to be a different thing that should not fall under the blanket of "racism."

Same with the Redskins and Seminoles. They are called these names NOT as a slight to Indians, but as recognition of their noble attributes, warrior heritage, etc. That seems to be a net positive in my thinking. But there is always going to be a vocal minority that will never shut up about it...until eventually, they have messed it up for everyone.

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **2/8/19 1:06 pm**

I did it for Halloween when I was in college. I went as a football player who happened to be black. It never occurred to me that it could have been offensive. In fact, I thought that the player would have been flattered. No pictures. Thankfully.

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **2/8/19 1:11 pm**

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **2/8/19 2:19 pm**

No one cares!

I never did black face

Acts Mod Posts: 25305 **2/13/19 7:15 am**

But I did get a fro.

How about you?
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Recently, I saw a "mime" ministry ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **2/13/19 8:48 am**

Recently, I saw a mime/dance ministry where an African-American young lady painted her face white. Its time to stop cultural appropriation by all sides. I think its foolish for missionaries to wear African robes and for African-Americans to play "Jefferson" and cast on Broadway. I don't like white rappers, nor black bluegrass/country singers. I do not dress up as a Native-American and I don't like to see Native-Americans dressed like Europeans. Come on, what's theirs is theirs and what's ours is ours. So as the kid said, "stay off my property."

Mat

PS Just taking the argument to the extreme.

Re: I never did black face

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3382 **2/13/19 10:30 pm**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5923 **2/14/19 9:19 pm**

I remember my parents talking about a vaudeville show put on here locally in the 60s in which some of the wealthier citizens performed in blackface. In polite white society, it was considered an acceptable form of entertainment. I imagine it was pretty racist and bigoted, but in the South at that time, no one thought anything of it.

Doesn't make it right, of course. It's interesting that a perspective that was commonly held at that time has changed so radically. And that is a good thing, though I think the whole "I'm offended" wagon has gone way off the tracks. it is good we are working towards respecting all men & women, but we need to use a little common sense, too.
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