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!

those determined to be offended

The catch phrase of those convinced that they have the right to be offensive.

bourbonbiccy

Batshittery in only say this as I have black friends and they have never been offended at fancy dress parties previously if the person was black to then make up your face dark
Some strange ''black friends'' you have. Unbelievable

Batshittery in only say this as I have black friends and they have never been offended at fancy dress parties previously if the person was black to then make up your face dark.

A quick Google search will tell you the disgusting history behind blackface and why it's offensive.

The racism displayed here is abominable.

OP here - thanks for the replies. So the general consensus seems to be that wearing the outfit the person is famous for and a wig in their hairstyle/colour is fine but darkening the skin for more authenticity is not (and totally unnecessary as the outfit/hair in the examples I gave are enough to make it obvious who it is).

However, then there's the question of whether wearing a dark, curly afro style wig could be seen as offensive or whether it's no different to mousey haired me putting on a blonde wig a la Madonna.

Hmm, probably best steer clear. Off to Google " Madonna Fancy Dress" now.....

Yes I understand that blackface is offensive bit that is not what is being asked. It wether dressing as Michael Jackson and putting make up on to look darker is offensive, and no my black friends would not be offended by this and have not been offended when this has happened as they would not relate this back to very offensive images and atrocities that happened to black people. They see is as fancy dress and looking like a person.

If by putting "black friends " you are insinuating I don't have any, please don't judge me by other people standards. I don't lie I have had 2 very good friends who are black for over a decade.

I’ve done it (gone to a fancy dress party as a black person stereotype) never for a moment thought it was racist and if anyone else at the party did they didn’t mention it.

BUT I HAVE BLACK FRIENDS?!

I was wondering how long that would take to appear

Only the same amount of time as it takes to say "as a black person " - it is a valid point to why I didn't think it were offensive. Rather than getting offended on others people behalf, I have actually experienced this situation but glad you brought such a great insight on that.

No. I remember Lenny Henry impersonating white people. It would only be racist if the person doing it was stereotyping in an unpleasant way.
When I was at school a lot of us 'did' 'The Supremes' - in later times plenty of kids impersonated Jimi Hendrix. No offence was meant.

It’s really not.

If you think having a friend of a different race is anywhere near the same level of understanding as actually BEING that’s race then you’re a fucking idiot.

And a lot of the time, we just tell white people what they want to hear because it’s easier than getting into a big discussion and why should we have to teach you.

No offence was meant.

Ah, I see you're from the Philip Green school of thought.

Well, that's ok then.

For Christ's sake, I can't believe it's 2018 and we still have to have conversations about whether blacking up for a particular costume is acceptable or not. Hint: it isn't. Period. No matter what your fictional black friends say.

Basic rule, dont black up, just dont. Its meant to be fun, not political.

And yeah I would steer clear of hair/wigs as well. By the way this all ruined my idea for a Papa Lazarou costume a few halloweens ago, but better that than appearing in a Guardian editorial.

On CBeebies the other day the Welsh presenter put lots of bronzer on and pretended to be South African along with a terrible accent. If it's okay on something as tame as CBeebies..

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

As an adult I would absolutely prefer to stick to this rule as I'm older and I understand the history and I get it. But equally, I think that telling my 6yo that a Spiderman, Captain America, Batman, etc costume is ok but Black Panther, Falcon, Cyborg costume is not, could mean he internalises a message about 'othering' people of other colours. It could teach him that all of his fictional heroes are not quite equal or for him. And I really don't think that's a great message either.

I've spent quite a bit of time making sure that his action figure collection has a gender and racial balance. I noticed early on that it was really easy to buy white male figures and I felt that if he only had those it would be like giving him a daily message that they are more valid/normal/worthy. I've hunted down discontinued or US only figures and I make customs of figures that were never released. I do this in the hope that his play affords him a neutral message about gender and skin colour rather than an imbalanced one in favour of white males. I do teach him about racism but I don't want him internalising his own racism due to subtle messages from media and merchandise.

I think that it's really important for little kids to be able to see themselves as the main characters in the genres they love. I think it's amazing that Star Wars has moved into diverse casting and that that superhero movies are finally moving away from the token female and token man (never woman) of colour that they clung to for far, far too long. And it's great that little white boys are growing up to view diverse characters as important and exciting in ways that only white men were before. But if we tell those white boys that actually those diverse characters aren't for them to enjoy and value at least not as fully as they do the white men, we risk increasing racism rather than ending it. And there is so much awful media out there, ready to utilise that confusion and turn it into increased prejudice at a time when it should be all but eliminated.

Of course black panther and falcon costume is ok for your little boy. Just don’t fucking paint him black!
How are you finding that a difficult concept??

I think that telling my 6yo that a Spiderman, Captain America, Batman, etc costume is ok but Black Panther, Falcon, Cyborg costume is not,

That is not what people on this thread are saying though. Dress up as whoever, of course black panther is fine. There is no need to paint your skin to dress up as black panther, the costume is enough.

Are posters on this thread being deliberately difficult or can they just not read?

Another who is shocked and disappointed by the ignorant attitudes on this thread I can’t believe people are so arrogant. Well, I suppose that’s white privilage right there for you

Of course black panther and falcon costume is ok for your little boy. Just don’t fucking paint him black! ...How are you finding that a difficult concept??

That is not what people on this thread are saying though. Dress up as whoever, of course black panther is fine. There is no need to paint your skin to dress up as black panther, the costume is enough.

I've posted this twice and each time I've quoted posters who have advised steering clear of dressing up as any black person/character altogether. While the general consensus is not to 'black up' and it will be fine. There are quite a lot of posters saying avoid completely to absolutely ensure that you don't offend. And I'm pointing it that that approach is potentially problematic too, especially when it comes to children.

I asked a black colleague if he’s be offended if a white person blacked-up for fancy dress (rather than cultural appropriation) and he said he wouldn’t be fazed by that.

So, is he a spokesperson for the black race? You spoke to one person.

I have just googled black panther and falcon and see absolutely no reason why a child of any race couldn’t dress up as them. I don’t even see the point you’re trying to make tbh

My OP asked if it was OK to dress as a black celebrity, no mention of blacking up or even darkening the skin to look more like them - I do actually know that's not appropriate so not sure why I'm "a bit of a twat" It was subsequent posters that bought that up! Most people on here seem to think dressing up as them is fine, as do I, it's just my friend's comment that caused me to question it.

However , to avoid a situation where I run in to someone who thinks differently, I'm steering clear.