"Mrswhiskerson, the explanation that rang clearest with me re not actually needing to black up was that if a black woman could 'be' (for e.g.) Marilyn Monroe without making her face white, why would I need to darken my complexion to be (for e.g.) scary spice?
The fancy dress aspect is what identifies the character, not the skin colour - for Marilyn it's the dress and hair, for scary spice it's mad hair, animal print jumpsuit and mega platforms (bellowing "girl power" at all and sundry).
I was Shirley Bassey once, no darkening my v pale complexion required - the feather boa, amazing 70s frock, wig etc did the trick (along with my James bond sidekick and my shit rendition of goldfinger).
The blacking part it the offensive part as it is reducing the character to little more than the colour of skin. It is not the black face that made the cousin Bob Marley or whatever, the dreadlocks, hat and other accessories would."
Why can't people write a calm and helpful post like this that might make folk really think instead of screaming you foul bunch of pig ignorant racists.
I haven't and wouldn't do it. I've read similar threads on Mn etc which were informative and challenged and made me think.
Many people on this thread probably haven't done it, have no intention of doing it, they possibly have no knowledge of history of "black face", the Black and White minstrels or that black folk find it offensive (like good folk. I know who have done it).
I don't think just to brand them all as racist because this possibly hasn't been an issue that's cropped up before and showing your superiority and wringing your more educated (possibly spend too much time on Mn) informed hands is probably not the best way to change minds and make people think and challenge.