# What exactly qualifies as blackface? What forms are offensive and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848 "2019-02-02T18:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/381 "2019-02-09T03:56:09Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Considering that it wasn’t even my hypothetical, I didn’t even give a hypothetical, that was another poster, I don’t think you have any clue what you are talking about here. > > Any reformulations were to help you with the confusion that you seems to be having with a simple question, to eliminate all the distracint variables that you keep adding in to it. > > But, anyway, it doesn’t matter, you refuse to answer a simple question with a yes or no, that’s fine, I can’t make you or anything. > > Just be aware that you did not address **typoink** ’s hypothetical in the slightest. > > Right, the question that was asked of you is there to be seen, and your dodging of it is also there. > > The question you asked about the car crash was answered in full by BeagleJesus, and added to by my opinion on it. > > As far as an impartial observer would be considered, if they are still confused as to why blackface is offensive, after not only years and years of history to work with, along with our arguments in this thread, then they will probably lack the comprehension required to divine anything at all. > > For your car crash hypothetical. The straight answer is No. It does not matter why you hit me, the damage is the same. My whiplash doesn’t care if you had a stroke or if you were inattentive. My mechanic is not going to charge me differently based on whether you were diligent or negligent when you damaged my car. > > Why should I care why you hit me? Either way, I am put out. I’m not going to beat you up or anything because you were texting, so how am I going to treat you any differently if you were having a stroke? (well, I’d be quicker to call 911 for a stroke) > > The law may treat you differently, but I am not going to. Why should I? What are you going to do to someone that hit you because they were texting? > > That’s not really an answer. I did not misrepresent anything, but you may be confused, as you keep conflating me with another poster, so I don’t know if you are talking to me, or to the other poster that you seem to think is me. > > You were the one that seemed to have trouble understanding why blackface was offensive. We did our best to explain. > > Now that you have decided to become hostile because we could not explain it to your satisfaction, then no, there is no further progress to be made. > You too bub. Go out wearing blackface all you want. Remember to report back on how it goes. > Well, I disagree that that is a bad decision. And, so, apparently, did the person that you are making fun of right now. > > He just wanted to have some fun, harmless, not bothering anybody. You also seem to want to have some fun, but to have your fun, you have to put down other people. > > I have much more respect for a person who wears Spidey PJ’s with his gut sticking out than the person who insults them for it. > > All words are made up. As well as you fabricating the intent behind it in order to insult and demean. > > No one is crying, that is another thing that you have made the decision to make up and throw out there in an effort to prevent productive discourse. > > As a long, long time but now ex-smoker, I know what you mean. Sometimes, people would say you should stop smoking, even some would coug as they went by. In theory, they are worried about your health. > > What you are doing in telling a person that he is too fat to pretend to be spiderman is different. You are not worried about his health, you are not suggesting he lose weight, you are telling him that he looks stupid because he’s too fat to be spiderman. > > I may advise against it if he is going to a job interview, but if he says he wants to go out and play spiderman, I’m all for it. Assholes may laugh, but fuck them, they are pieces of shit who are just jealous that they don’t have the balls to be spiderman. > > Yeah, that was pretty stupid on their part. I have no idea what they were thinking. > Not sure what you are referring to. You’re entirely missing the point and looking for insults where there are none. I’m telling him maybe wear a costume that fits, just as I would hope someone would do for me if I decided to wear my child’s PJs out in public. The whole thing was 1 not brought up by me 2 used to point out to Trafalgar who brought it up that Geordi could quite possibly plan his costume and make it all the way to the con without anyone telling him, which you agreed to. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/382 "2019-02-09T04:11:41Z")
> [@Trafalgar\_Laura](#): > > I feel bad now. > > I don’t really feel negatively in general towards… lower-effort or intro level cosplay. If a person’s love for a character comes through, I really am just happy they’re expressing that love and feel comfortable doing that in public. I addressed non-typical Sailor Moon cosplayers because someone else brought it up. But I feel the same about the heavy Sailors as I do about the crossplaying ones–good for them, they’re having a good time and getting to express another side of themselves, reflecting a character. > > The Geordi is a fan, not trying to make fun of the character; I’m pretty sure of that. I do think even if he’s kind of… sheltered from others, someone at some point must have brought this up to him? Maybe not. And maybe it was too awkward to talk about, when he was at the con, and he seemed so sincere? > > That’s one downside of convention and fan culture, a bunch of us (including me) are super socially awkward and so mistakes are made. In my case, going overboard in pointing out the high quality and often attractive nature of serious cosplayers and thus sounding like the cosplayers who are more casual or less body-typical aren’t acceptable. While contacts, an official Star Trek costume and poor makeup don’t really make for a very complex or advanced costume, or even what I’d consider a representative costume, if I saw the Data I’d probably just think it was nice he was getting to dress up as Data. > > Even if I saw the Geordi, I realize, I’d just stare and think it was a terrible idea, and then walk quietly away. Maybe that’s what happened, the whole con. > > Also, I’m super super ugly and fat, if that helps. I don’t think anyone took your statements as judgy. Also I’m sorry to hear you say your super ugly, and i doubt it, even in all my superficiality i can say probably less than 1 percent of people would qualify there. So in all likelihood you’re perfectly fine. I hope your attitude towards your image changes. Fact: Feel better, look better. Good attitude might not actually physically Cha a persons look but it will in fact change how others percieve how you look and how attractive you are irrespective of looks. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/383 "2019-02-09T07:54:14Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Considering that it wasn’t even my hypothetical, I didn’t even give a hypothetical, that was another poster, I don’t think you have any clue what you are talking about here. I’m not getting back into it but I always correct and clarify when I’m factually in error. You are right, they weren’t your hypotheticals they were typolnk’s. You quoted my response to them and then your response read as if you were speaking _as_ them and my response followed from that. Not a deliberate tactic or incompetence, just a minor lack of clarity in a thread with multiple lines of questioning and posters. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/384 "2019-02-09T18:48:53Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > You’re entirely missing the point and looking for insults where there are none. I don’t think I am missing the point, and I am seeing that this person will be insulted if you follow through on your proposed course of action. > [@](#): > > I’m telling him maybe wear a costume that fits, just as I would hope someone would do for me if I decided to wear my child’s PJs out in public. If you want to provide as a gift, a better fitting costume, then he may appreciate it. If you just want to tell him that he looks silly because of what he has chosen to wear, you are not doing it for him, you are doing it for you. > [@](#): > > The whole thing was 1 not brought up by me 2 used to point out to Trafalgar who brought it up that Geordi could quite possibly plan his costume and make it all the way to the con without anyone telling him, which you agreed to. I didn’t agree, I think I actually pointed that out before Trafalgar’s excellent post that some of the people that you will find at cons like that will be socially inept and awkward. It is possible that he didn’t have any friends to run his costume by that would have told him that the skin color change was not necessarily a great idea. And, that’s the thing. If you make a mistake, apologize, and move on. It was on the Daily Show a while back, and I’m having trouble finding the clip, but that’s exactly the point that Roy Wood Jr. made in one of his pieces. I think it went something like, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know”, and the reply, “Apology accepted, and now you do.” If you have apologized for the actions that you have made out of ignorance, and have taken the new knowledge to heart, then only an asshole would continue to hold it against you. You don’t need to cater to assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/385 "2019-02-09T19:52:33Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I don’t think I am missing the point, and I am seeing that this person will be insulted if you follow through on your proposed course of action. > > If you want to provide as a gift, a better fitting costume, then he may appreciate it. > > If you just want to tell him that he looks silly because of what he has chosen to wear, you are not doing it for him, you are doing it for you. > I didn’t agree, I think I actually pointed that out before Trafalgar’s excellent post that some of the people that you will find at cons like that will be socially inept and awkward. It is possible that he didn’t have any friends to run his costume by that would have told him that the skin color change was not necessarily a great idea. > > And, that’s the thing. If you make a mistake, apologize, and move on. It was on the Daily Show a while back, and I’m having trouble finding the clip, but that’s exactly the point that Roy Wood Jr. made in one of his pieces. I think it went something like, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know”, and the reply, “Apology accepted, and now you do.” > > If you have apologized for the actions that you have made out of ignorance, and have taken the new knowledge to heart, then only an asshole would continue to hold it against you. You don’t need to cater to assholes. So you don’t agree he could have made it to the con without anyone bringing it up, but you agree he could have made it to the con without anyone telling him…? Ok I do agree, apologize and move on, doesn’t have to be a news story. The gift thing, this may be a male/female communication difference. If I tell my buddy, dude you stink. He’ll laugh and say yeah I need a shower. If I buy him deodorant that’s an insult. Guys i know tend to take words very easily and actions …not so much. Same with the costume, if I bought him a fitting costume he’s just gonna be slightly offended and ask what’s wrong with his old one. If I tell him it looks silly he’s probably gonna go get one himself, or just say he doesn’t care and move on. Conversely , I can buy a new shirt for my wife or female friend and they’ll just smile and say thanks. If i tell them one of their shirts makes them look fat well …that’s another story. Been there, as we were going out i told a friend “Michelle, you normally look really good, and I’ve never seen you look fat , but that shirt is getting there” She actually appreciated it after getting some confirmation from the girls phrased something more like " oh you never look fat but some of your shirts are better" which she decided meant I was right still, it was a story that was retold for years as " He thinks I look fat" ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/386 "2019-02-09T19:57:57Z")
I also jokingly picked in my older brother for a pink polo he wore to Easter once, he made a point of wearing the most ridiculously pink outfits he could find to Easter for at least ten years thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/387 "2019-02-09T20:51:09Z")
The overweight Spider-man is really not doing anything comparable to the Geordi costume (similarly, the Data costume is just not a very impressive Data, it’s not offensive on any level.) So I’d say commenting on a Spider-man is a little mean-spirited, but I’m rather sorry if nobody at all ever spoke up to “Geordi” to tell him that really, the visor and the uniform make it super obvious you’re Geordi, please do not do the face paint. That’s not because it looks bad as a costume, but because it looks bad as… well, a human. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/388 "2019-02-09T21:50:50Z")
> [@Trafalgar\_Laura](#): > > The overweight Spider-man is really not doing anything comparable to the Geordi costume (similarly, the Data costume is just not a very impressive Data, it’s not offensive on any level.) > > So I’d say commenting on a Spider-man is a little mean-spirited, but I’m rather sorry if nobody at all ever spoke up to “Geordi” to tell him that really, the visor and the uniform make it super obvious you’re Geordi, please do not do the face paint. That’s not because it looks bad as a costume, but because it looks bad as… well, a human. Good point. Also these two make a great example on so many levels. Data is flat out whiteface and totally exaggerated, even compared to data’s actual whiteness ( I’m aware he’s an Android and not human, just represents a human and arguably is considered human at some point) Data’s not offensive because there’s no history. could have been a black guy in whiteface and noone would care. Had Data been an overly dark black Android rather than an overly light white Android then dressing as him with makeup would still be offensive. Geordi ,even though his color is less exaggerated and the guy is probably a fan of Geordi , not making fun of him, Is offensive, for no other reason than the history. ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/389 "2019-02-09T22:01:46Z")
Well, and face makeup is part of the Data costume, even on the show. The character wears makeup for a sci-fi twist; it’s meant to emphasize that he isn’t human. Geordi’s skin tone isn’t part of a costume. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/390 "2019-02-09T22:02:28Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > So you don’t agree he could have made it to the con without anyone bringing it up, but you agree he could have made it to the con without anyone telling him…? Ok That is not in any way, shape, or form, even close to what I said. Please stop putting words into my mouth, and then complaining that they don’t make sense to you. At the very least, actually quote the words of mine that you question. > [@](#): > > I do agree, apologize and move on, doesn’t have to be a news story. And that is when it becomes a news story, when the blackface wearer doubles down on his “Well, why is it offensive” thing. > [@](#): > > The gift thing, this may be a male/female communication difference. > > If I tell my buddy, dude you stink. He’ll laugh and say yeah I need a shower. > If I buy him deodorant that’s an insult. Guys i know tend to take words very easily and actions …not so much. As a fellow member of the male species here, I don’t think that it is male/female miscommunication thing. If I tell my buddy that he stinks, he’ll say “yeah, I know!”, and then usually try to become more stinky. Yeah, deodorant would be rude, but I didn’t say deodorant, you did. I did once buy deodorant for a fellow co-worker who “didn’t have time” to put it on in the morning. It was meant to be insulting and degrading, but I was tired of working next to his stench. > [@](#): > > Same with the costume, if I bought him a fitting costume he’s just gonna be slightly offended and ask what’s wrong with his old one. If I tell him it looks silly he’s probably gonna go get one himself, or just say he doesn’t care and move on. Costumes are not deodorant. Now, if you just go out and buy some spiderman costume, then he may not appreciate that. But, if you say, “Hey, that ones a bit old and ratty, lets get you a new one” , and have some give and take about what it is that he is looking for, then you may very well come to something that both of you like. Or, he may like the one that he has. That’s fine too. > [@](#): > > Conversely , I can buy a new shirt for my wife or female friend and they’ll just smile and say thanks. If i tell them one of their shirts makes them look fat well …that’s another story. Yeah, I avoid buying clothes for women. > [@](#): > > Been there, as we were going out i told a friend “Michelle, you normally look really good, and I’ve never seen you look fat , but that shirt is getting there” That’s a terrible way to say that. Just say that that shirt is unflattering on you. Why do you have to bring up anything about weight. Your criticism is about the shirt, not their body. > [@](#): > > She actually appreciated it after getting some confirmation from the girls phrased something more like " oh you never look fat but some of your shirts are better" which she decided meant I was right still, it was a story that was retold for years as " He thinks I look fat" Well, that’s because you said that she looked fat. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/391 "2019-02-09T22:20:05Z")
The whole thing was 1 not brought up by me 2 used to point out to Trafalgar who brought it up that **Geordi could quite possibly plan his costume and make it all the way to the con without anyone telling him, which you agreed to.** **I didn’t agree** , I think I actually pointed that out before Trafalgar’s excellent post that some of the people that you will find at cons like that will be socially inept and awkward. **It is possible that he didn’t have any friends to run his costume by that would have told him that the skin color change was not necessarily a great idea.** ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/392 "2019-02-09T22:27:01Z")
> [@Trafalgar\_Laura](#): > > Well, and face makeup is part of the Data costume, even on the show. The character wears makeup for a sci-fi twist; it’s meant to emphasize that he isn’t human. > > Geordi’s skin tone isn’t part of a costume. So if data was a blackened black guy playing an Android it wouldnt be offensive to use his makeup? Or your just saying that he wears makeup in the first place at least adds to the unoffensiveness. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/393 "2019-02-09T22:40:39Z")
Wharf is a real confusing example. Not human, brown makeup is part of his costume. Yet it still seems way too close to me. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/394 "2019-02-11T14:01:38Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > And that is when it becomes a news story, when the blackface wearer doubles down on his “Well, why is it offensive” thing. I’m not sure I agree with that. Northam’s “situation” was news before he responded to it, and continued to be news while he denied it. Maybe you meant among the general public, but I am not sure I’ve seen any random Joe become news because of blackface. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/395 "2019-02-12T00:29:51Z")
Was watching _Abbott and Costello Go to Mars_ on \*Svengoolie \*Saturday and noticed[a brief blackhead scene](https://youtu.be/5ymBvIJZ2wA?t=1787). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/396 "2019-02-14T13:31:05Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I hold it as an absolute moral necessity to treat people equally regardless of sex, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and actively work to challenge discrimination where I see it. > > It is how I was brought up, it is how I am wired and it is how I act in real life. I’ve nothing to prove. Thank you for continuing to enable a white supremacist system . ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/397 "2019-08-12T23:29:06Z")
Well, [they got Sarah Silverman](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/08/12/entertainment/sarah-silverman-blackface-scli-intl/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/398 "2019-08-13T01:05:10Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Well, [they got Sarah Silverman](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/08/12/entertainment/sarah-silverman-blackface-scli-intl/index.html). Sarah Silverman “got” herself. While she is clearly bummed out about losing an opportunity, it seems that she totally gets why it happened and she’s not acting too butthurt about it. Good for her. For those who don’t want to click, Silverman went full-on blackface. Not brownface, but actual blackface. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/399 "2019-08-13T02:34:47Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I was told about ten years ago that such descriptions should be shied away from. I have been in situations where I walk into a room and ask who John Smith is. Someone will point to two people standing together talking, one black and one white, and they will describe John as the taller guy, or the guy with the blue blazer, or the one on the right (no their right) and do everything except to make the obvious distinction of saying the white guy or the black guy, even though that would immediately clarify things. > > That’s how absurd things have gotten. There is nothing demeaning about describing a person. American Dad lampooned the shit out of this trope in an episode where Stan does everything to try to describe the white girl and finally says that she is the one where if you were handing out sunscreen you would give it to her first. > > These “rules” make no sense other than to further the divisions between the races, increase hostility, and to keep those who pretend to be offended in power. Jesus Tap dancing Christ. I was just at my bar watching a movie and my buddy said “who’s that actor?” and I said “Who, the black guy?” No one, including the black people in earshot, took offence. “Black guy” is not a racial slur. The reason white people are afraid to use it as an identifier I’d because of their own insecurity, not because of anything real. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/400 "2019-08-13T09:07:42Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > While she is clearly bummed out about losing an opportunity, it seems that she totally gets why it happened and she’s not acting too butthurt about it. Good for her. “I didn’t fight it.” “It’s so disheartening.” ## “It’s not like I went to a fucking Halloween party in the '80’s in blackface.” To me it is clear that she is bummed out about being held to the same standards that others are being held to dispite the fact that see views herself as a liberal “creative artist” who should be above criticism. Her attitude is about the same as when she defended her friend Louis C.K.'s masturbating in front of female comics. “What, can’t you take a joke? He’s one of us!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848.md?page=21)