Inappropriate Obama Costume?

[StantonHyde]

We went to a Halloween Carnival at DS's school last night and a kid who was older (like 12 or so) came as Obama. He wore a suit----and he blackened his face. Not his hands or anything else. Just his face. He didn't have any other odd prop--he was just Obama.

My DH and I both paused. Isn't that sort of like "black face" or "dark face" or whatever it is that white performers used to do way back when? Now we live in Utah and the AA population of this state is less than 1%. There have honestly been cases when people have been stupid and unaware and said things they shouldn't have--about football players, or the economy, whatever. There are also cases when by any stretch of the imagination it was something racist and saying "I didn't know" just didn't cut it. (and of course there are things that are racist and were meant that way)

What would your take be on this costume? There are plenty of president masks that get worn so I don't necessarily mind that someone was going as a president for Halloween. I'm sure there were some great Clinton/cigar costumes in the day. It was the dark face that gave me pause.

And, as a card carrying liberal, I am BEYOND embarrassed to admit--what is it called? dark face, black face? And wasn't it done in shows in the 40s or 50s? And what was the context that made it so offensive? I need a quick history lesson here.

Thanks for giving me some perspective and a quick education!

[MMMommy]

I've seen plenty of Obama masks (the kind that you buy and wear with a string around the head), but blackening one's face with makeup seems highly inappropriate and offensive. I'm surprised his parents allowed him to even leave the house like that.

Didn't Tim Danson cause controversy when he did the same thing at Whoopi Goldberg's Friar Club's roast?

Blatantly offensive, in my opinion.

[wellyes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

Blackface / minstral makeup. Full-on blackface would include exaggerated white or red lips too. Even without, it's unquestionably a racist and offensive portrayal, no matter what person of color is being "depicted".

[randomkid]

It was called "Blackface" and I think the problem with it was that it was intended to be racist and usually made AAs look unintelligent and ridiculous. Basically, they were making fun of them. However, if you read this information (probably more than you ever wanted to know), it seems that some of it was because they used white actors to portray black characters. Of course, this was racist in itself because blacks were not allowed to act. The interesting thing to me in this article was that black actors also wore Blackface makeup. Seems they started phasing it out in the 1930s. Here's the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

Now, for the kid - I'm not sure I would find it offensive. I'm guessing he wanted to go as Obama and didn't want to pay for a mask? No way to know for sure if he intended to be offensive or if he was just ignorant about it. I wouldn't expect a 12yo to know a thing in the world about blackface makeup and its connotations. FWIW, blackface makeup was not just painting the face black, but they would paint white or red around the mouth and I think eyes to emphasize the blackness and make the character look more clownish.

[StantonHyde]

Thanks. I knew there was a reason I was having such a gut level reaction to this. He didn't have lips painted or anything--not even a wig. I am sure his parents let him leave the house because they have no clue either. Or they do and they think it is funny. sigh.

[Cheburashka]

Well, I'm sure the kid didn't know it was racist, but unless the parents were extremely sheltered, I can't believe they wouldn't know that's racist. I've seen some of the Obama masks too, and I don't think they were all that expensive. Seems to me like you'd have to go more out of your way to find the paint than the mask. But idk.

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

I've seen plenty of Obama masks (the kind that you buy and wear with a string around the head), but blackening one's face with makeup seems highly inappropriate and offensive. I'm surprised his parents allowed him to even leave the house like that.

Didn't Tim Danson cause controversy when he did the same thing at Whoopi Goldberg's Friar Club's roast?

Blatantly offensive, in my opinion.

[sunshine873]

I guess I'm a minority on this one. 1st of all, I've heard over and over how kids shouldn't wear masks - it's not safe, so I'm not surprised that he didn't have a mask. Beyond that, if he had just worn a suit & tie, would you have known he was Obama? As long as it's not done in full on blackface style (over-exaggerated, etc.) I guess I don't see the problem with a little coloring on the face...I mean, Obama is black, that's factual, right?

Sorry if I've offended anyone, I just wanted to give my 2 cents.

[Sillygirl]

I think it's just impossible for people viewing the costume to overlook the historical weight of racism that blackface carries. I'm trying to think of a perfect analogy and failing. But just like Prince Harry in a Nazi uniform was offensive, no matter that we knew he wasn't a Nazi, blackface in the US is offensive, period. Off limits, can't be done.

[hillview]

This is tough -- I was just talking with my hairdresser about this

So we have an african american president, people dress up as the president EVERY halloween. Are we at a place where pretending to be african american is ok -- since we have an african american president? Or is it still taboo? If you do make up to look more asian is that ok? Is that different? Is it different because of our american history of racism against african americans?

I get that black face was (is) offensive. I get that it still is due to the history. At some point, it seems like maybe it would be better if we felt collectively that it was ok if no racism was intended.

I am going to guess that the 12 year old maybe LOVES obama -- in that case it seems like it should be ok but maybe as a nation, it still isn't.

Rambling I know. It is complicated even though it seems like it shouldn't have to be anymore with Obama in office.
/hillary