To report friend to FB for photo of her blacked up?

[Greyhound]

I'm really shocked - cousin of mine has pic of herself on Facebook blacked up. She is white. The picture is of her at a fancy dress party - she has covered her face in dark brown stage make up and is wearing an "Afro" wig and Rastafarian style striped hat.

Her husband is also blacked up.

Seriously op you need a life instead of playing fb police.

Whiteface what is that have I missed out on a particular type of popular entertainment ridiculing white people for non white peoples entertainment

fuck that is unfair. black and white minstrels were hilarious followed by Love Thy Neighbour what better way to be entertained on a Saturday evening

not sure fb would do anything but I would make a comment on her fb

Bunchoffives - I think people would see dressing up as another races as racist as it is suggesting that there is something exotic, strange or comical about other races. OK so it is not the racism of burning crosses on lawns, but it is the racism that feeds children being teased for having "funny hair" or "smelling like curry".

"I think most people think blackface dress up is racist."

I don't think that most people do actually - just on mumsnet.

When dd was at primary school they had to dress up as a person from another country. I sent her in a Chinese outfit. Maybe I should have kicked off at the school and told them how racist the whole thing was......and they were just trying to learn about different cultures.

I must admit I wouldn't paint my face black and think its questionable but saying that dressing up in a sari, etc is racist is OTT.

Yabu.
Surely it depends on your friend intent. Was she being openly racist?
I honestly had no idea dressing up in another cultures/ethnicity was racist, flattery maybe.... If you admire them and emulate them. It's the intention that I believe is important. Happy to listen if I'm wrong though.

Dressing up as "funny black person" is different fro dressing up as Jimi Hendrix etc. however a lot of people might suggest steering clear of blacking up in general as it evokes uncomfortable feelings for some.

Actually I exist outside of mumsnet and find blackface racist in real life. As would just about everyone I know. Other than racists.

steering clear of blacking up in general as it evokes uncomfortable feelings for some

Tail wagging the dog again.

I disagree Captainsinker

If you dress up as a politician or pop star, does that suggest 'that there is something exotic, strange or comical' about them? Not really imho.

I think it is generally accepted that the Black and White Minstrels are now seen as racist. If your friend's make up emulates this hideous take on a person of colour and she refuses to take it down, I would report it to Facebook.

if they do nothing, then I would be giving the police a call.

Blackface represents a time when white people would act out incredibly racist and offensive stereotypes about black people (see: The Black and White Minstrel Show). The symbolism is racist and insensitive.

Can't believe people on this thread think it's acceptable.

People like to bleat on about how they aren't racist. Thread goes to show, actually they don't think that deeply into the issues.

does this apply to a pochontas costume too?

Snoop dog posted some videos very recently of him with a white face playing a guy named Todd. Is he racist?

I don't think it's a good idea because some people are easily offended but it certainly isn't racist.

It's no different than putting a blonde wig on to dress up as barbie. You wouldn't look like her without the blonde wig as your cousin wouldn't look like Bob Marley without black skin.

Costumes are not the same as blacking up.

Whatever makes you feel better

YABU - not for finding it (or anything else) offensive, but for thinking the correct action is to report and expecting Facebook to take it down. It absolutely blows my mind when people report "friends".

If you feel that strongly about something someone on your friends list has posted then you:

1. Defriend them on FB (and possibly IRL if their views are incompatible with having them as friends)
2. Contact them to tell them why
3. Only report if it's something illegal and serious after doing the above. Dressing up as a black person, while something that a lot of people find grossly offensive, is not illegal, nor is it incitement to racial hatred etc.

Have some backbone in your convictions and outrage.

Racism or bigotry or sexism or other repugnant views are not for Facebook to censor and police.

What outcome are you hoping for by reporting her OP?

Yes bunchoffives. But when you dress up as a politician etc it is to get comedy value out of their public profile. What is the point of parodying a random member of another race?

Blackface in the past has been used in a racist manner. I would assume the cousin of the op did not spend all night doing a 'black face act'

McBear

Snoop dog posted some videos very recently of him with a white face playing a guy named Todd. Is he racist?

Does the American black minority have the power to disempower and disadvantage the white majority?

I think people would see dressing up as another races as racist as it is suggesting that there is something exotic, strange or comical about other races.

By extension of that point surely all fancy dress could be deemed offensive to someone ie dressing up as robin hood would offend sherwood forresters or as a mountie would offend Canadians.

I knew that film white chicks was offensive

Or is it ok to dress up as a white person.

Is using a dark skin tone makeup as part of a costume the same as "blacking up" with boot polish? I feel there is a difference...

if they do nothing, then I would be giving the police a call
Er WHAT?! Why on earth would you think that was a reasonable or sane thing to do? What crime has been committed do you think?