Is Blackface EVER Appropriate?

Probably not.

Published on December 14, 2004 By greywar In Current Events

Some people seem to have a total lack of sense. Take this couple for example. They didn't seem to pick up on the furor after Ted Danson's similar faux pas a few years back.

Now I could understand if these two folks worked as member of the human freakshow that runs our local Mickey's convenience station but the guy is a fucking judge! Jesus to be this stupid I would be willing to bet that he does an awful lot of blow in chanbers too!

Why is this offensive? Well Vaudeville takes the rap for that one folks. Years and years of using blackface for racial humor shows basically disqualifies it from humor for a few centuries. If you think he showed any sort of good "judge"ment here lt me hear it. I love to listen to the lunatic fringe.

Comments (Page 2)

Hamster 311

on Dec 15, 2004

All right, I guess you did mean it; my bad. I understand what you're saying and I agree that it is not something to be forgotten. I'm all for preserving history. I, myself have never seen a live minstrel show and I think I understand quite fully, how offensive they were. It just seems (to me) that it would be in very bad taste, even as a history lesson.

ParaTed2k

on Dec 15, 2004

I thought, although I have to question whether two white actors would have been allowed the same leeway in the other direction.

The Mel Brooks classic "Blazing Saddles" is the example I use on this subject. It was a great spoof on the issue of racism. It was an equal opportunity destoyer, leaving no race untouched. At the same time, it got the viewer to laugh at the whole stupidity of racism.

Westside Story was another film (and play) that took a look at the futility and waste that goes with racism.

Sadly, because of the artificially fuelled hypersensitivity in our society modern versions of them would never be allowed to be produced.

I know in the case of West Side Story, there have been school administrators that cancelled student productions of West Side Story, based on "Zero Tolerance" (Read Zero Intelligence) policies.

Rightwinger

on Dec 15, 2004

Yeah...there's another good example. Given today's hypersensitivity, though, do you think it would've been made in the present day? I doubt it....even positive messages that need any form of racist behavior or dialogue as a conveyor are frowned upon or disallowed completely.

The "West Side Story" example is another good one. I'd never heard of that one. PC is so damn stupid.

Jamie Burnside

on Dec 15, 2004

Dr Guy

on Dec 15, 2004

Hampster (what a name BTW),

I never did as well. And yes, it would be offensive. But then sometimes we have to do a 'get in your face' or people forget it.

But it would be offensive now. Back in the 20 and 30s, it was not meant to be, nor was it even deragotory to Blacks (at least not always). Due to segregation, they just were not allowed so in many cases, their parts had to be played by blackfaced actors and actresses. Some may have been very demeaning and derogatory, but not all were. It was the sad state of our country in those times, and THAT is what we cannot forget.

Go back another 300 years and you find men playing womens parts in plays! Same thing. We should not forget what we did, nor condemn all who did it. But we should make sure it never happens again.

Dr Guy

on Dec 15, 2004

I wholeheartedly agree with you on both counts! Clevon Little was perfect as was Gene Wilder, and West side story is my favorite musical!

But I got to admit that Monk cold cocking that horse was my favorite scene! I almost peed in my pants!

ParaTed2k

on Dec 15, 2004

But I got to admit that Monk cold cocking that horse was my favorite scene! I almost peed in my pants!

Try putting that in a scene now without pissing off the professionally offended. ;~D

Dr Guy

on Dec 16, 2004

Try putting that in a scene now without pissing off the professionally offended. ;~D

Oh, didnt they tell you? They got a stunt double for the horse!

ParaTed2k

on Dec 16, 2004

Thnx Doc, ruin the whole moment for me!!! ;~D

Hamster 311

on Dec 16, 2004

Hampster (what a name BTW),

Dr. Guy, yeah, we agree about the blackface. Why you gotta pick on my name AND misspell it to boot?

Dr Guy

on Dec 16, 2004

Dr. Guy, yeah, we agree about the blackface. Why you gotta pick on my name AND misspell it to boot?

Sorry about the misspelling, but Hamster 311? I know my kids like a group called 311, but I dont get the connection. I was not picking, just saying, wow! Kind of different! Not Bad! just different!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!