AIBU to think that "blacking up" is never acceptable?

[CoolRunnings2017]

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I appreciate that the people on the float probably didn't mean to offend, but surely common sense would tell you that this wasn't in good taste?

But its still mimiking a certain race isen't it! Would it be ok to mimick a Chineese person, or Asian person then?

Why would mocking white people with "white face" be any better than mocking black people with "black face"? Surely it just perpetuates the cycle of racism and hatred if any race mocks another race? An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Exactly killjoy, it is still making fun of somebodies race, and culture.

No, whiteface is not the same because white people are not the oppressed class.

Whatever colour.

Dame rubbish! It's still making and perpetuating a stereotype.

Fascinating, about Baba Nowruz, the "Persian/Iranian Santa". I lived in a city with a huge Persian population but funny enough, never saw this tradition in a shopping centre

"Nowruz (Iranian New Year) has three mythical characters in Iranian folklore. On the eve of spring equinox, when the Persian New Year is celebrated, Amoo Nowruz brings children gifts, much like his Western counterpart Santa Claus. Amoo Nowruz is an old man who has a long white beard telling stories for children, passing the old story of Nowruz to the young, and giving children gifts like Santa. He accompanies with Haji Firuz, a young man, who wears a red costume, and his face is painted black (black is an ancient Persian symbol of good luck). He sings and dances with tambourines and trumpets spreading good cheer and heralds the coming of the New Year. The sound of his songs and the sight of his dance are often analogous to hearing Christmas music in a shopping mall, telling all that Nowruz is in the air."

Well, they will become the oppressed class if they are allowed to be mocked and humiliated because of a crime committed by other people who just happened to share the same skin colour, a long time ago. I thought people were against collective punishment? All races have committed slavery. Slavery is still in practice in much of the Middle East and parts of Africa today. No white people in sight. Does that mean Arabs and blacks are now the oppressor class?

So you think white people are going to become an oppressed class because black people are roaming the streets whiting up and making fun of them? That right? Oooooooooo Kay....

Trolls - it's not something I've seen either in London (but you will see eggs decorated with the face and hats at new year and cards with him on it) but I can't see it being considered a PC thing! 'But he's happy, smiles, sings, dances and gives little kids sweets!'

What if you self-identity as black?

White face does not have the same history as black face or yellow face. It really is that simple.

I don't think there's any point in explaining context to people who don't get the idea that context is a Thing.

Common sense has gone out of the window, why would it not be acceptable to black up, but perfectly fine to white up, or even imitate other races for example: those from Asia, India, Turkey etc. Still the same thing, every race commands respect, not just those from Afro/Carribean countries. Do you think Borat was acceptable? Making fun of those from Kazakhstan?

My ancestors are from Armenia, and we tend to have black hair and olive skin, would it be ok for people to imitate us? And imitate our accent and our dress?

Its not ok to imitate any race, that includes whiting up, what is good for the goose is not good for the gander!

@Aeroflotgirl - I agree that it is not ok to make fun of or disrespect any race. I don't think anyone on the thread has stated that mimicking White, Asian or any other ethnic group would be fine.

Btw, have you come across specific examples of Whiteface? You've mentioned it a few times so I am wondering if this is something you've actually witnessed? I'm not referring to examples such as Borat by the way but to Black people painting their faces white and/or mimicking white people. I'd be interested to find out more if so.

Sometimes mimicry is fondness.

Sometimes mimicry is a way of finding empathy.

I used to be goth. I was ridiculing child labour in mines because I was a mine owner in Victoria times.

Here's a good article in response to the original event:

www.walesartsreview.org/some-notes-on-blackface/

I saw a black man, impersonate Pirot in the street a year ago. He had his face white, and tear drops on his eye actually.

But even white people doing Pierrot have white makeup. Marcel Marceau used to do it too and he was very white!