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Original poster

Digital blackface…?

71 replies

Oldon · 13/06/2023 12:47

Slight disagreement has broken out in a WhatsApp group I am in.

Someone has repeatedly (over a period of a few months) been using the thumbs up and clapping emoji in a different skin colour to their own, to which someone else has taken offence and accused them of digital blackface.

I am not sure why the person was doing it - whether they thought they were trying to be inclusive or something but they have apologised so I doubt they will do it again.

What do you guys think of this? Is it offensive or are people just being overly sensitive? It has never really occurred to me either way…

OP posts:
FrostyFifi · 14/06/2023 11:00

@jc12689 You're the one comparing actual horrible things to nothing burgers if we're going to discuss stupid.

This is a non issue. An absolute triviality.

startrek90 · 14/06/2023 11:01

I don't know how you change the colours/alter the people never mind change them back, so tbh I would probably just assume there was a glitch somewhere and someone couldn't change it rather than assume someone is being racist. That's quite an accusation to make over some pictures in a text message. I guess it depends if the person, do you think they are racist? Because that's really what this comes down to really doesn't it?

CurlewKate · 14/06/2023 11:03

If something is designed specifically to accommodate a minority group it's bloody weird for the majority group to use it.

AlisonDonut · 14/06/2023 11:14

Top tip for people; those people with fairy cartoon avatars are usually big old blokes.

MissTrip82 · 14/06/2023 11:21

FrostyFifi · 13/06/2023 14:12

I'm glad there's no more wars, atrocities and injustices to get upset about so we can focus on the really important stuff.

It is lucky isn’t it?

Otherwise you wouldn’t be able to take the time to post on Mumsnet at all, let alone about something you consider so trivial.

Lamelie · 14/06/2023 11:25

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/06/2023 14:56

Great article explaining what digital blackface is and the issues with it.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a33278412/digital-blackface/

That’s not a great article. It’s a circular intellectually dumbed down incoherent bleat.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 14/06/2023 11:36

Lamelie · 14/06/2023 11:25

That’s not a great article. It’s a circular intellectually dumbed down incoherent bleat.

Show quote history

Which is why it would appeal to the majority of idiots on Mumsnet.

Lamelie · 14/06/2023 11:38

Btw I don’t mean to dismiss that there are issues around using avatars and emojis choosing the colour of memes etc. rather to say it’s not that deep and there are far more important things to raise consciousness over.

Cherryflavouranything · 14/06/2023 11:44

I’m white and I use the white skin tone emojis, because I read an article (written by a black person) saying it was offensive NOT to. As the yellow is default, and assumed to be white, meaning white is default. Her thinking was that if black people have to change their emojis from the default then white people should too.

Although she phrased it a lot better than that. I’ll try and find it.

CantFindTheBeat · 14/06/2023 11:45

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/06/2023 14:56

Great article explaining what digital blackface is and the issues with it.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a33278412/digital-blackface/

This article says a white person should not use a gif of, for example, Stanley from The Office rolling his eyes.

I had no idea that would be problematic.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 14/06/2023 11:46

CantFindTheBeat · 14/06/2023 11:45

This article says a white person should not use a gif of, for example, Stanley from The Office rolling his eyes.

I had no idea that would be problematic.

Show quote history

TBH I had no idea either. But it also costs me nothing to not use black people memes and gifs to make a point. Harm done by not using? Zero. I cant get het up about being asked to be mindful over the small things, because they all add up.

BoohooWoohoo · 14/06/2023 11:47

I thought digital blackface is someone who is not black posting as if they were black. There's a famous case of a white man who posted something on the lines of "As a black woman I think people cry racism too easily" but he forgot to change his account so it came from an account with a white person as the avatar.

Do people really cross reference skin colour of emojis and real life ? What about emoji hair colour? (Joke!) I assume that people who use default yellow cba to change it which is fine.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 14/06/2023 11:47

Brianan · 13/06/2023 13:30

I purposely use the yellow ones because they’re neutral. Aren’t they?

Unless you're being Simpsons-ist.....

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/06/2023 11:48

rebelrebbel · 13/06/2023 22:57

Really struggling to see why white people using their own skin tone is wanky?

This.

It's not just wanky it's prejudice

BoohooWoohoo · 14/06/2023 11:51

Cherryflavouranything · 14/06/2023 11:44

I’m white and I use the white skin tone emojis, because I read an article (written by a black person) saying it was offensive NOT to. As the yellow is default, and assumed to be white, meaning white is default. Her thinking was that if black people have to change their emojis from the default then white people should too.

Although she phrased it a lot better than that. I’ll try and find it.

Emojis are invented in Japan so maybe default should be considered East Asian lol

Cherryflavouranything · 14/06/2023 11:56

Re the Simpsons, as the person in this article points out, that point doesn’t stand as there are black and brown people in the Simpsons, who aren’t yellow. So yellow = white

https://www.dailydot.com/irl/skin-tone-emoji/

The problem with emoji skin tones that no one talks about

Here's why not everyone is opting in.

https://www.dailydot.com/irl/skin-tone-emoji/

jc12689 · 14/06/2023 13:09

I wasn't comparing anything to anything else. If you thinks it's a trivial topic, not worthy of your headspace then just don't comment and read something else

goodkidsmaadhouse · 14/06/2023 13:54

SquashedSquashess · 13/06/2023 23:16

Weird hang up to care about white people changing their emojis to white.

I use the yellow emoji because I don’t feel the need to advertise my race via emoji, but I don’t care if others want to use those that reflect their skin tone, whatever colour that may be.

The sort of worthy thinking that “permits” any ethnicity to use true skin tone emojis except white people drives division and extremism. It isn’t helpful.

I don't think anyone cares about that do they? It's white people changing their emojis to brown.

Obels · 14/06/2023 15:08

goodkidsmaadhouse · 14/06/2023 13:54

I don't think anyone cares about that do they? It's white people changing their emojis to brown.

Show quote history

Have you not read the thread?

goodkidsmaadhouse · 14/06/2023 18:08

Obels · 14/06/2023 15:08

Have you not read the thread?

Show quote history

I had, but had completely misread the poster who said they found it wanky when white people changed it to a white skin tone as saying it they found it wanky when white people changed it to a non white skin tone. Apologies! That’s what I get for skim reading.

Nordicrain · 14/06/2023 18:11

Oh god, who knew there was so much to read into emojis

My daughter changed all my emojis to the brown ones a while ago, no idea why (she is young) and some are still that. Some she changed to other colours (yellow/ white). So here I am being a wanker (for the white ones) and digital black facing (for the others) and I didn't even realise.

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