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!

I'm not sure if anyone in here is offended by whiteface (there's been a couple of people who have gone down the 'well if white people cant wear blackface then black people shouldn't wear whiteface' type comments, but I don't sense that they are genuinely offended by it).

What point are you trying to make?

Not really sure tbf but I just find it all so confusing. I’ve got black and white friends, as do my dc.
They’re our friends, not a colour or a religion or a race.
I think I just get a bit sad and weak about the fight.
I thought it was over, what with intelligence and evolution etc but I suppose I’m wrong.
Some people will always find something to hate about someone else

I barely know how to respond to that. In the nicest possible way, if you really thought that racism doesn't happen any more, you're not paying very much attention to the world around you.

Mary could you tell me of an occasion you recall someone WHITING UP?? Is this something you actually see ever?
This made me LOL. 😂

To clarify my last post it's bc you're being so patient with these dense people

It’s incredibly ignorant to dismiss the flip side of a situation because it rarely happens.

It’s incredibly ignorant to bang on with whataboutism with no real purpose. You know full well you have no point about whiting up.

And hold up: you didn’t know why BLACKING UP was offensive and yet you’re calling other posters ignorant?

I’m not ‘banging on’ at all.
I asked a question and do believe both blacking and whiting up should be discussed.

It’s an interesting and valid point but obviously one other posters have closed their minds to, so I will do as I’m told and google.

Shame, I thought this was a board for discussion

But you’ve been told many times no one on here finds whiting up offensive. It has no history or oppression.

You seem to be desperate for people to admit some kind of equal opportunity offense

I can't believe the faux-wide-eyed innocence that still goes on on these kinds of threads.

Like, does context mean nothing? Everything is just (excuse the pun) black and white to you?

"I thought racism was over." - I mean, what gave you that idea? Do you live with your head in the sand or something?

To the people who think blacking up is ok - what about taping your eyes to make them Asian shaped? Is that ok?

And to the people who say 'so I can only go as a white character if I'm white???' - no one thinks that. But can you really not see that you are perfectly able to dress as Tina Turner/Michael Jackson/whoever without blacking up? It is reducing people to the colour of their skin to do so.

I live in Asia - here, white people are in the minority and discriminated against, though not anything like how other races are discriminated against. OF COURSE if an Asian person put white make up on and a blonde wig and big fake boobs and paraded around with a cup of Starbucks going 'OMG Kelly you are just SO BASIC', of course it's not ok because IT IS ABOUT CONTEXT.

Cultural appreciation is acceptable but cultural appropriation is not. If you don't know the line then don't walk it. Just go as someone your own colour and avoid looking like an ignorant twit; it isn't worth it.

IMO, only if you were blacking up your face as well.

That being said, some can find it offensive when people of a different race, dress in the cultural-wear of a different culture, especially when that culture have been/are being oppressed. Eg: A white person dressing as a Native American.

It's called cultural appropriation.
I remember a few months back, there was a stink in the high-fashion world, when they gave a white model an afro.
Basically, I'd avoid a costume that has some defining characteristic, or cultural element of a race that is not your own.

zingally of course it's offensive for white people to dress as native Americans. White people have, both historically and currently, treated native Americans horribly; they then turn around and think it's chill to dress as them for a laugh.

That's just messed up.

I can't believe the faux-wide-eyed innocence that still goes on on these kinds of threads.

Sadly I can. I’ve read enough of these threads by now to realise that some MN users are either just plain tone deaf or wilfully ignorant when it comes to race issues.

I’m not ‘banging on’ at all.
I asked a question and do believe both blacking and whiting up should be discussed.

It’s an interesting and valid point but obviously one other posters have closed their minds to, so I will do as I’m told and google.
It has been discussed and people have said why whiteface generally isn't considered offensive. Do you have anything to add or just hollow whataboutery?