Eli5 (and a German) the problem with black facing.

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So I rewatched Pulp Fiction last night and thought it would be so nice to dress up on a Party as Jules, bringing a Big Kahuna Cup to drink from and quoting Ezekiel 25:17 and all.
To me this would be an act of showing how cool I find him.
In general I think dressing up as someone else could be considered a compliment to them, as it shows you’d like to be them, if only for a night.

So I am probably missing something here!
(I know it is a touchy topic and it’s not my intention to step on anyones toes.)

Edit: Added missing verb “showing”

Edit 2: Of cause I knew it is problematic! (Although I underestimated how much) I never had the intention to actually do more then fantasize about it (there isn’t even a real party coming up, it was just a thought), however I was interested in the American and the European (German) perspective. Seeing how lively this discussion is, seeing how very differnt the arguments and perspectives are, and reading all the interesting background information (I had never heared of “Minstrels”), I am very happy I asked!

In: 7450

30 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

You can do the costume, props and all, without doing blackface. It’s not the costume that’s the problem.

Anonymous 0 Comments

You can do the costume, props and all, without doing blackface. It’s not the costume that’s the problem.

Anonymous 0 Comments

I came as an immigrant – white in appearance – the Britain in the 1970s from a Soviet country. I remember my confusion when I saw on the national broadcaster [“The Black and White Minstrel Show”](https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/100-voices/people-nation-empire/make-yourself-at-home/the-black-and-white-minstrel-show) . I do not imagine that Minstrel shows existed in the southern United States at that time. In daily life, even the racist considered public expression of racism vulgar. And yet this show apparently garnered millions of viewers. It was obvious even to immature foreigner me, that this was quite different from shows like *Till Death Us Do Part* (which had a credible claim to withering satire) or even *Love Thy Neighbour* (which had at least the occasional sideswipe at the credulity and ignorance of white people). The Black and White Minstrel Show survived, protected by the most senior executives of the BBC despite cogent criticism and protests from within and without. I can’t imagine what my black friends at that time thought when they saw this bizarre spectacle being publically broadcast.

Anonymous 0 Comments

I came as an immigrant – white in appearance – the Britain in the 1970s from a Soviet country. I remember my confusion when I saw on the national broadcaster [“The Black and White Minstrel Show”](https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/100-voices/people-nation-empire/make-yourself-at-home/the-black-and-white-minstrel-show) . I do not imagine that Minstrel shows existed in the southern United States at that time. In daily life, even the racist considered public expression of racism vulgar. And yet this show apparently garnered millions of viewers. It was obvious even to immature foreigner me, that this was quite different from shows like *Till Death Us Do Part* (which had a credible claim to withering satire) or even *Love Thy Neighbour* (which had at least the occasional sideswipe at the credulity and ignorance of white people). The Black and White Minstrel Show survived, protected by the most senior executives of the BBC despite cogent criticism and protests from within and without. I can’t imagine what my black friends at that time thought when they saw this bizarre spectacle being publically broadcast.

Anonymous 0 Comments

It’s generally accepted as okay to play a black character, but not to play a black as a character, if that makes sense. It’s one thing to play the rile of a dark skinned person, it’s an entire different thing if the dark skin IS the role.

To explain, most people don’t mind you dressing up as Jules, but if you were dressing up as “a black” then you’re clearly crossing the line.

You honestly don’t need to wear skin darkening makup to play Jules from pulp fiction is the thing. The fact that he’s black isn’t really a part of his character or relevant to the film. Jules can be anyone with the rigt auttitude.

The reasons why blackface is bad have been explained already, I’m just trying to define the line.

I general, unless you know exactly what you’re doing and have the skills to do it respectfully, you should probably stick to your own skin color. Especially when it’s something as simple as a movie cosplay.

Just work on the crazy eyes and your delivery of “mothafucka”, get your kahuna cup, glowing briefcase, wig, and fake facial hair and people will recognise you I’m sure.

Anonymous 0 Comments

It’s generally accepted as okay to play a black character, but not to play a black as a character, if that makes sense. It’s one thing to play the rile of a dark skinned person, it’s an entire different thing if the dark skin IS the role.

To explain, most people don’t mind you dressing up as Jules, but if you were dressing up as “a black” then you’re clearly crossing the line.

You honestly don’t need to wear skin darkening makup to play Jules from pulp fiction is the thing. The fact that he’s black isn’t really a part of his character or relevant to the film. Jules can be anyone with the rigt auttitude.

The reasons why blackface is bad have been explained already, I’m just trying to define the line.

I general, unless you know exactly what you’re doing and have the skills to do it respectfully, you should probably stick to your own skin color. Especially when it’s something as simple as a movie cosplay.

Just work on the crazy eyes and your delivery of “mothafucka”, get your kahuna cup, glowing briefcase, wig, and fake facial hair and people will recognise you I’m sure.

Anonymous 0 Comments

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