Question Of The Day: Is Blackface Ever Okay?

March 13, 2008

Hey Love Muffins, I have a question for you guys. This morning I was reading my Entertainment Weekly (perhaps some of the wittiest writing of all the pop culture magazines out there), when I was struck by this photo. Initially I paid the picture no mind. It just looked like another screen cap for an upcoming movie, however, when I read the article I realized that the black man in the middle is in fact Oscar nominated actor Robert Downey Jr. …. in Blackface! He plays a white actor who choses to play a Black role in the movie-within a movie.

The picture is from the new Ben Stiller movie “Tropical Thunder” which is supposed to be a comedy satirizing Hollywood. To be honest, I really don’t know how to take this. Blackface when done with clear malice or racism is by no means acceptable but if it’s done for the sake of comedy can it ever be OK? I personally think that comedy is one of the ways people have become comfortable with the subject of race and addressing all the baggage that comes along with it. I can’t watch Comedy Central, Def Jam, or Comic View without hearing a joke infused with some sort of racial humor. For the most part I laugh because I understand where it’s coming from.

On another point we let actors step out of their normal lives all the time without complaint, should race be any different. Straight actors are allowed to play gay (Tom Hanks, Heath Ledger), women allowed to play women (Cate Blanchett, Felicity Huffman), and White people have played Interracial (Angelina Jolie in “A Mighty Heart”). In all in roles there was no intent to be humorous or satirical. Each of these roles the actors were trying to convincingly play someone of the opposite sexuality, gender, or race. One may argue that there are too many availible gay or ethnic actors to have other people stepping in on the very limited number of roles available to them in Hollywood.

I know this was a little long (and believe me, I cut it down) but this just struck me as a good talking point. Thoughts?

Filed Under Words Of Wisdom

40 Responses to “Question Of The Day: Is Blackface Ever Okay?”

Twanw on March 13, 2008 at 9:34 am #

This was indeed a good one. I don’t know. At first thought I said, couldn’t they find a black actor? But then as you said, straight actors play gay character, and so on. I don’t know, though.

Black face has NEVER been the least but amusing until recently when I saw that character “Sharolaid” on youtube. While most find him offensive, I find him hilarious.
CJ on March 13, 2008 at 9:37 am #

In this movie, isn’t Robert playing the role of a white character who puts on black makeup to portray an actor in a movie? Essentially, Downey is portraying an actor in this movie, so it really blackface? I think the movie company is trying to use this controversial topic to drum up press for the movie….
Erica Nicole on March 13, 2008 at 9:38 am #

No - blackface is not okay, nor is it okay in comedy. I’m glad that this is being talked about.

Speaking of comedies, I went to the New York Salsa Congress last year, and seen a well-known salsa dancer do blackface also, but he was supposed to be James Brown. I and some other people, and even people who were of other nationalities, didn’t find it funny even though the “salsa skit” with his female partner was supposed to be humorous for the audience.
Gummi on March 13, 2008 at 9:46 am #

I wouldn’t have known that was Robert Downey Jr. by looking at the pic. They did a good job with the make up. It isn’t done insultingly. And I’m just going by the pic only. I haven’t seen the movie or any trailers for it.

Eddie Murphy has played stereotypical Asians, Whites and a few others that would be insulting to those groups.

Wayans playing “White Chicks”.

—–

Blackface should only be used when it is a time period movie where it would serve a purpose for the story line.
ashanti on March 13, 2008 at 9:48 am #

i really am not sure,Are white people offended by the waynes brothers in white girls movie?
ReinventingBlack on March 13, 2008 at 9:49 am #

I don’t necessarily see a problem in blackface unless it’s done to bring shame or portray the race in a negative way. I am sure many of us laughed to death at the comedy ‘White Girls.’ I didn’t see caucasians lined up picketing the movie. So it’s time for people of color to realize that if we want equality and all that it’s time to take not that what’s good for the gander is good for the goose. So as long as it’s not negative go for it.
Gummi on March 13, 2008 at 9:56 am #

Robert Downey Jr. plays Kirk Lazarus, a very serious Oscar-winning actor cast in the most expensive Vietnam War film ever. Problem is, Lazarus’s character, Sgt. Osiris, was originally written as black. So Lazarus decides to dye his skin and play Osiris.
okay on March 13, 2008 at 9:59 am #

I could not tell it was him.
Mills Nills on March 13, 2008 at 10:17 am #

I think sometime black people are too sensitive, when it comes to things like this(I know we have reason too) But there is a double standard, we get a lot of Lee-Way(spell Check?) when we are portraying other races, cultures and ethnicities - why iis it that we are allowed to but on white make up and it’s no big deal -I’m not being judgemental - I’m questioning myself Why is it that when black comedian do the corney white man or naive white woman routine- it’s funny or Ok, but if white comedian do a black person- i get offended ( Robin williams does his homeboy routine and sometimes I get a lil offended) just thought I would pose the question- Why is it that we can make fun of everyone ( and we do ) but when other races make fun of us we are ready to march in the streets- I just want an answer for mysself- so I can see that we ass a race are not being hypocrtes- maybe because it’s been done to us in the past that we feel justified
mDavis on March 13, 2008 at 10:31 am #

I believe everything should be judged within its own context. Not having seen the movie im not sure how this role plays out. Love the topic. Generally I would say no. But in this case, who knows..it really depends on why they are using blackface. If they are using it to make clown on hollywood and their history of using whites in roles like they did back in the day, having white people play every role or even making cleopatra a white woman LOL…

but is blackface funny? Ask Ted Danson and WHoopie - we all know they got in trouble for it years back at that fryers roast..so its a senstative topic but - in the case of this movie, ill have to check it out.

Is it funny to do in general? NO!
Trina B. on March 13, 2008 at 10:33 am #

Here’s a thought, why not use a fucking black man to play the part? That just comes to show you how reluctant hollywood really to give roles to black actors. I for one know that I am not going to see this movie and it puts a real bad taste in my mouth for both actors for thinking that they could pull this off as a comedy instead of blatant in your face racism. But these are just words just as everyone else’s comment. nothing we say is going to make them go back and reshoot the movie, so what is the point. But I can almost put my life on it that ignorant black folk are going to be the ones to make this movie #1 at the box office. Just a damn shame.
Trina B. on March 13, 2008 at 10:42 am #

but then again, the Marlon brothers did do the movie White Chicks and they got no flack for it. So i guess my comment makes it a double standard, right?
Trina B. on March 13, 2008 at 10:56 am #

correction: I mean the Wayne brothers?
venitria on March 13, 2008 at 11:30 am #

When you are an actor, you play different roles. That’s what being an actor is all about. Acting= one who represents a character in a dramatic production. I’m a black woman and I’m not offended. People take things too seriously nowadays. It’s comedy! Let’s not pull the race card on everything. I might add…he doesn’t look bad as a black man. Not saying he’s cute. He just doesn’t look bad.
THE fly GIRL on March 13, 2008 at 11:54 am #

Here’s the thing: It will all depend on the context of the movie. If this was a dramatic role (like Angie in “A Mighty Heart” which was just in poor taste) then this is disturbing. However satire is so powerful because it has the ability to tell the truth in a light-hearted way.

And let us not forget that several black actors over the years have donned “White face” for the sake of a laugh. Rick Baker has won seven Oscars for it.
Gigalo78 on March 13, 2008 at 12:05 pm #

I, personally, do not like it. But I TRULY FEEL like I can’t even find fault with this. Shawn & Marlonn Wayan did it in the movie ‘WHITE CHICKS’, Eddie Murphy did it in ‘Coming to America’, Martin Lawerence did on his tv show ‘Martin’ and everyone laughed @ that and most people thought it was hilarious. We can’t be hypocrites and judge one on what they do if we do the same. All I can say is, I hope the movie is wortht he trouble.
Jour on March 13, 2008 at 12:12 pm #

The makeup used in “White Chicks” and the history that blackface carries are in NO way comparable.

That being said, if the movie is about a white actor being chosen to play a black actor, maybe it is pointing out the fact that quite a few productions have chosen to paint a white actor black instead of actually placing a black actor in a film.

idk though, I know nothing about this movie but if that is the case more power to them for pointing out how ridiculous the acceptance of blackface in modern films actually is.
CJ on March 13, 2008 at 12:23 pm #

Hi-five @ Gummi.

Downey is playing and white actor who dies his skin black for a role. That’s not necessarily blackface.

Like Jour said, blackface and the movie “White Chicks” are different. Blackface was intended find humor in the degradation of an entire race.
me on March 13, 2008 at 1:45 pm #

I just think there are plenty of black actors who need opportunities to shine…..having a white person “play” a black person limits opportunities for aspiring black actors to be seen.
Gummi on March 13, 2008 at 2:14 pm #

The movie is about fictional actors making a war movie.

Robert Downey Jr. plays a “white male actor” going for a movie role in a war flick. The role his CHARACTER is going for in the “war” movie was written for a “black actor” to play (in this war movie). In order for his CHARACTER to get the role in this war movie. His CHARACTER dyed his skin darker to play the role in this war movie.

The movie is about fictional actors making a movie.

A movie about making a movie.

It has nothing to do with Downey Jr. himself, but the CHARACTER he is playing’s struggle for a role.

Downey Jr. isn’t even the main star in the movie or the fictional “war” movie.

So getting a real black actor to play a fictional white role so he can play a fictional black role has no point.
texas mama on March 13, 2008 at 2:20 pm #

I think it is ok if done without malice, and this was done for the comic value. No one complains when Eddie Murphy transforms into a Jewish man…And before anyone gets offended, I am a black woman. I just wish we could get over it already. My children, who are bi-racial, would be the better for it.
Nikki on March 13, 2008 at 2:30 pm #

Mmmm i dont think its okay. I mean, if a white man can play the role of a black man. Isn’t that slowly going to eliminate the black community from show business? Hopefully racism doesn’t exist that strongly in the entertainment industry. There are plenty of black actors who could have done that role. Stick to your natural race. As for straight actors playing gay ones. Let the gays handle that field! They do it best. <3

-Love.

P.S. Now I’m not the girl who complains on an actor about changing their race or sexual preference for a movie. I just think we should give others a chance before we only have 1 actor who can do it all you know?
Nikki on March 13, 2008 at 2:35 pm #

Uh oh. I just read my comment, and it sounds a little harsh. Not intended to be that way I promise <3
r u serious? on March 13, 2008 at 2:52 pm #

What do you think Hollywood is all about? Pretending to be something you’re not. For example B. Scott likes to don women’s apparel and make his lil youtube videos. He’s not a female, why couldn’t we get a real female to make the videos? So what’s the problem with Mr. Downey Jr. playing this role? It’s not that they couldn’t find a black person for the role. It’s them poking fun at Hollywood for making people play different races just for a paycheck. It happens more than you think in Hollywood.
PopOffSon on March 13, 2008 at 3:03 pm #

This is directed at “Jour.” This movie is obviously a comedy. I, in no way, associate this with “blackface.” I’m tired of black people using “black history” as a defense mechanism. Black people always wanna get historical when they think their race is being attacked. I’m black and I refuse to do that. There are many positive things about our history too! Oh, but you never hear anyone talkin about that.
Gigalo78 on March 13, 2008 at 3:07 pm #

SHUT THE FUCK UP AND DON’T SUPPORT THE MOVIE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE IT! IF YOUR STILL MAD BY THE TIME IT COMES OUT-BOYCOTT THE DAMN MOVIE.

BTW, PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT WHATS WRONG WITH OUR BLACK HISTORY-ARE THE SAME ONES WHO NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. CIAO
Gigalo78 on March 13, 2008 at 3:08 pm #

SORRY FOR THE FOUL LANGUAGE..BUT I AM REALLY TIRED OF COMPLAINERS. THAT WAS NOT DIRECTED AT ANY OTHER THAN COMPLAINERS.
KR on March 13, 2008 at 3:48 pm #

In all honesty the movie is suppose to poke fun at Hollywood. Much like “Another Teen Movie” where they had the token black. It’s hard to make a point by placing a real black actor to play a white actor in blackface. Doesn’t make sense to do that.

If we can do movies in white face then it is only fair for white actors to do it in black face.

The only reason I would not support blackface is if they use it in mean spirit. Like the college students who showed up in blackface talking about where is my Fawty? You don’t see black college students doing white face at parties.
EMPRESS073 on March 13, 2008 at 4:10 pm #

I think in it wrong only when I get to thinking, “dang they couldn’t find not one talented black actor to play this part?” Out of all the actors out there, no one? that’s a mess.
Shannon Tampa Diva on March 13, 2008 at 7:34 pm #

I’m the resident vigilant black woman, LOL but I have no problem with this. Why? because this is a movie in a movie. a satire. in the film a war movie is being made and the only role Robert Downey Jr. character wants was written for a black man, so he dresses as a black man in order to get the role. I need to see the movie before I get pissed off. and no comparing white chicks/coming to america with the horrendous embarrassing and degrading history of blackface is not equivilant
Ms.NeeCee on March 13, 2008 at 7:54 pm #

I don’t take offense to this at all. I think when something is done with malice or intent to harm then yes it is wrong, but this is acting, and people change face all the time for certain roles be it drama or comedy ect. Personally, we all have some issues in our own neighborhoods(races) that are taking us down further than any racism ever has! I am feeling what gigalo 78 has to say completely! I’m just saying we are doing more damage to ourselves at this point than any damn movie!!!!!
LittleMsPiggy on March 13, 2008 at 10:41 pm #

B Scott, i am soo happy you posted this on your page!

i saw this on tv, and i had to do a double take myself. i honestly don’t know how to feel… apart of me is upset but then at the same time it depends on the movie. also that fact that the waynes did white chicks, makes me think, that maybe it wont be so bad. but at the same time, i’m not happy about it

i think this is what the producers wanted they want us to talk it up and see the movie.
DaLiteCute1 on March 13, 2008 at 10:49 pm #

I’m kind of on the fence about it. I believe that it’s flattering. But at the same time for him to want to impersonate African Americans is like pointless. I feel thay should have highered a qualified African American to play that part. There are MANY qualified actors on the scene so it’s unreasonable and disrepectable.
Jour on March 13, 2008 at 11:50 pm #

Popoff my dear,

if you read my entire comment I clearly stated what I thought and hoped the movie was about.

And yes black people have had alot of positive history, human beings in general have come a LONG way, but thats completly irrelevant in this case. I personally am tired of people comparing situations that do not hold the same weight at ALL [the word cracker vs. nigger, makeup used in "White Chicks" vs. blackface etc.]. I dont stand for ignorance period but somethings are just not comparable.

buuuut, now that I know for sure what the movie’s about it makes sense and its on my to see list.
Raya on March 14, 2008 at 2:58 am #

Wellll, before I read what B.Scott wrote I thought the guy was black in the photo. But you know H’wood has always done this. Look at those old movies and see how many people of color were main stars (zero) and how many of the main characters were caucasians playing Native Americans or even Asians and Mexicans. Al Jolson did blackface and that crap was offensive!
As for White Chicks” well wasn’t the humor of it all that there were two black men playing young white women? And yes, some white people were offended by that. I say take all this sheet and take it for what it is.
And I must say you cannot compare the level or weight of words up against one another. A racist word (or any slur for that matter) is wrong whether it is for a black, white, asian, or latino person. If we start weighing the “badness” of words then we start weighing morality and you know that’s not right.
Peace……now back to some entertainment from B.Scott
Raya on March 14, 2008 at 2:59 am #

And it’s the Wayans brothers….not Waynes.
Khadijah on March 14, 2008 at 5:39 am #

When Hill Harper plays Elvis Presley it will be okay.

When Angela Bassett plays Queen Elizabeth it Will Be Okay.

When Alfre Woodard plays Cleopatra it will most definitely be okay!!
TJ on March 14, 2008 at 6:54 am #

I saw this picture before & I thought it was Tim Reid (the dad from Sister Sister) because he looks like a black dude to me. But knowing what I know about the movie, it fits. Now if in the movie he acts like a ignorant jackass (or a monkey doodle fool) than I would feel some type of way.
Terez on March 14, 2008 at 3:04 pm #

I FIND IT FUNNY WHEN OUR BLACK ACTORS PLAY WHITE ROLES OR OTHER RACES IT’S OK THEIR JUST ACTING BUT WHEN A WHITE ACTOR PLAY A BLACK ROLE IT’S SO TABOO?????? EDDIE MURPHY, MARTIN LAWRENCE, WHOOPI GOLDBERG AND A HOST OF OTHER BLACK ACTORS AND RECRODING ARTIST HAVE PLAYED OTHER CHARACTORS (FAT, SKINNY, FEMALE IMPERONATORS) AND OTHER RACES….I DON’T BELIEVE CONVINCINGLY PLAYING ANOTHER RACE IS CONSIDERED BLACK FACE OR WHITE FACE OR ASIAN FACE OR LATIN FACE…..ROBERT DOWNEY JR CHARACTOR DON’T HAVE A TON OF BLK PAINT ON WITH BIG RED EXAGGERATED LIP, NOW THAT WOULD BE BLACK FACE IMO
Terez on March 14, 2008 at 3:23 pm #

THE REAL QUESTION: ARE THESE THE SAME? PERFORMING IN VERY WELL DONE MAKE UP TO PLAY A PERSON OF ANOTHER RACE = THE SAME AS WHEN PERFORMERS USE TO PERFORM IN BLACKFACE IN A MINSTREL SHOW (USING the makeup, usually burnt cork) SO ARE THEY THE SAME?

IF SO THAT MEANS NOBODY SHOULD PERFORM AS ANOTHER RACES PERIOD…..IMO PLAYING OTHER ROLES IS THE PURE DEFINITION OF BEING AN ACTOR.

LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER RACE IS MORE THAN JUST PAINTING YOUR FACE A COLOR….LOOKING AT BOTH PICS IT’S OBVIOUS THAT ROBERT DON’T JUST HAVE ON BLK PAINT….HE LOOKS LIKE A BLK PERSON AND AS A BLK MAN I DON’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT…JUST LIKE I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE MAKE UP IN THE MOVIE WHITE CHICKS OR NORBIT….THE OFFENSIVE NATURE OF THE MOVIE WAS THE WRITING NOT THE MAKE UP