Is it racist for a white person to go to a fancy dress party as a black celebrity?

[Wimbledonwomble]

For example - Michael Jackson, Prince, Tina Turner, Scary Spice? Fab costumes for most of these are widely available on line so clearly popular. I have to admit it didn't even cross my mind when discussing possible costumes with a friend, I just thought they were good costumes, but she thinks it could be seen as racist and inappropriate. I'm really not sure tbh!

But then I wonder what happens when my very white DS asks to dress up as Marvel's Black Panther or Falcon, or Finn from Star Wars. I don't want to be insensitive or have DS be insensitive (or be seen to be insensitive) but if I don't let him dress up as these action heroes if he wants to, then I'm telling him that these heroes are somehow not for him. Which is not something I want to do.

^THIS!

Aladdin is Chinese?!!! That's new to me!

Graeme Swann as Michael Jackson (with Oti). I think they made his skin a bit darker, no?

No, it shouldn't be. Unless you are making fun of black people.

I’m reading a really good book called Americanah that deals with a lot of the issues discussed here - really informative and norminated

White people blacking up is rascist - often people will pretend they aren’t offended when they are - because of the negetive response they get when they tell you how they really feel.

Maybe the answer is that darkening your skin subtly to dress up as a darker-skinned celebrity is OK, but 'blacking up' so you look like an offensive stereotype is not OK.

I also think it's crazy for people to keep on saying 'it's a bit of fun'!
First of all- white people can easily 'black up' whereas it's quite complicated and (costly) for black people to turn themselves into white people. (And why should they)???

Maybe the answer is that darkening your skin subtly to dress up as a darker-skinned celebrity is OK, but 'blacking up' so you look like an offensive stereotype is not OK
WTF!

aladdin was arabic ffs

I recently watched a production of hairspray (which is a musical about racism) in it white actors olayed black o
parts necause there were not enough black actors auditioning. We accept young people acting as old, males acting as females etc. so we should accept that non black people act as black and vice versa

"blacking up" is inappropriate and unecessary if its not ckear it can be alluded to in script

I don't think it's racist if you dress up as Michael Jackson and colour your face. You are simply going in fancy dress and I'm not sure how that is offensive from a racist point if view

Aladdin is set in China, it's a very old tale, the Aladdin story was added to 1001 nights in a translation made in the 1800s. It was still set in China, even in that version.
Disney recast him as Arabic (Persian, possibly, but the palace looks like the Indian Taj Mahal).
Disney is not necessary the best source material for historical or literary accuracy.

bourbon well if you don't think it's racist to 'colour your face'. then who am I, as a black person, to take offence. FFS. I can't even believe we have to discuss this in the 21st century

As long as the costume is nice and done right you will be fine. Same like millions of people who dress up as native americans.
People dressing up as Native Americans sprung to mind as one of the most obviously offensive costumes.

I am fully aware that the Taj Mahal is in India, not Iran, before anyone jumps on my previous post.
Just as I understand that Robin Hood, if he even existed, wasn't a talking fox, elephants don't fly, hippos don't dance, Aurora couldn't have danced a waltz 200 years before it was invented and Pocahontas snuffed it in Gravesend, rather than staying with Mum and Dad

if you’re white and you paint your face black for fancy dress, you’re doing something that reminds everyone of those horrible, blackface parodies.

Maybe you’re too young to remember. Maybe you saw them but paid no attention but they were comedic staples.

Maybe find a couple online to watch and consider whether you want to be associated with that.

Alladin was meant to be choice. Interesting

No, I don't think the OP has said what costume was planned. A PP mentioned Aladdin/ Chinese as an example of something that you would avoid as Chinese people would be offended ( in a " the world's gone mad way).
Other posters instantly howled with laughter at the idea that someone didn't " know" that Aladdin is Arabic.
Except the Aladdin story is set in China.
So the nasty, smug, sneering comments are incorrect.

This thread is so disappointing. There is a lot of ignorance out there. Why dress as something that will cause offence to anyone? I just don't understand why you would do that? What is WRONG with people?!

The OP is talking about dressing as a character, not a political stance or to "blackup" or be offensive but dress as Tina turner and stick some dark foundation on.
I would genuinely not think people would be offended by that. I totally see the whole " black up" your face being offensive
Could someone tell me what they would be offended if I dressed as Tina turner and put darker foundation on that would offend? I am asking genuinely and not being goady,

Wow!

Ignorance every where.

Nice.

But yet with no explanation of why to try and educate

He's generally portrayed as Chinese in pantomime too.

OH NO HE ISN'T

Ultimately, why take the risk of offending someone? Just steer clear and choose a different costume