# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/101 "2019-02-03T21:25:00Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would say that it is the difference between verisimilitude and somewhatsimilitude. The more the person looks like the person they are portraying, the more accurate the cosplay. And the less the person looks like the person they are potraying the less accurate the cosplay. For instance, If I was doing _Supernatural_ cosplay, I’d make a much better [Bobby](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+bobby&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCjvDisKDgAhXs5oMKHZwjAdYQ_AUIBigB&biw=376&bih=589#spf=1549224986056) than I would [Garth](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+garth&biw=376&bih=589&tbm=isch&oq=Supernatural+garth&gs_l=mobile-heirloom-serp.3...77035.78602.0.79167.6.6.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.34.mobile-heirloom-serp..6.0.0.n-btZfeGVDs) (or [Billie](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+billie&biw=376&bih=589&tbm=isch&oq=Supernatural+billie&gs_l=mobile-heirloom-serp.3..0l3j0i8i30l2.41475.44596.0.46857.11.11.0.0.0.0.1003.6106.0j1j2j2j0j1j4j1.11.0....0...1c.1.34.mobile-heirloom-serp..7.4.1701.is-88fyupx0).) There is a difference between “ha, ha, that’s funny” inaccurate cosplay and cosplay where you almost ask them for their autograph. You didn’t answer my question. Do you think those people I linked to are cosplaying “wrong” since they don’t look exactly like the characters they are representing? Cuz personally, I don’t think that’s the point of cosplay. I think cosplay is about representing the essence of a character in such a way that the inconsequential differences in physical appearance aren’t even noticeable. Cosplay about how much you love a character. If you love a character enough and you have enough resources to craft an awesome costume, who cares if you skin doesn’t match? That seems like such a petty thing to get hung up on, for reals. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/102 "2019-02-03T21:36:24Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I think Cindy Crawford is more recognizable by her mole than her eye color. Her mole is always the first thing I think of when I think of Cindy Crawford. :shrug: > > When you look at the president, do you think “white guy”? Or do you think “Trump”? > > I know that when I think of Michael Jordan, I don’t think “black guy”. I think “MJ”. I haven’t talked to MJ about this, but I suspect MJ would rather be thought of as “MJ”, not “black guy”. > > I don’t think white people look at another white person and say to themselves, “Hey! A white guy/woman! Look at all the whiteness!” No, they look at the things about that person that have nothing to do with their skin coloring, since their skin coloring isn’t remarkable. That’s how black people want to be seen too. Is that so hard to understand? If I were asked to describe anyone, I’d absolutely put their race in there. MJ is a basketball player, who is tall, bald, black guy with a warm smile. As opposed to Bruce Willis who is an actor , tall bald, white guy, who’s smiles make you uneasy. And yeah, I guarantee if your asking people if they’ve seen me…short of a picture whites gonna be in that description. ---
**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 3, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/103 "2019-02-03T21:38:18Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would say that it is the difference between verisimilitude and somewhatsimilitude. The more the person looks like the person they are portraying, the more accurate the cosplay. And the less the person looks like the person they are potraying the less accurate the cosplay. For instance, If I was doing _Supernatural_ cosplay, I’d make a much better [Bobby](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+bobby&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCjvDisKDgAhXs5oMKHZwjAdYQ_AUIBigB&biw=376&bih=589#spf=1549224986056) than I would [Garth](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+garth&biw=376&bih=589&tbm=isch&oq=Supernatural+garth&gs_l=mobile-heirloom-serp.3...77035.78602.0.79167.6.6.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.34.mobile-heirloom-serp..6.0.0.n-btZfeGVDs) (or [Billie](https://www.google.com/search?q=Supernatural+billie&biw=376&bih=589&tbm=isch&oq=Supernatural+billie&gs_l=mobile-heirloom-serp.3..0l3j0i8i30l2.41475.44596.0.46857.11.11.0.0.0.0.1003.6106.0j1j2j2j0j1j4j1.11.0....0...1c.1.34.mobile-heirloom-serp..7.4.1701.is-88fyupx0).) There is a difference between “ha, ha, that’s funny” inaccurate cosplay and cosplay where you almost ask them for their autograph. Unless you look exactly like the character, you can’t play it? I’ll agree that there are times when a bona fide requirement, like being the stunt double for an actor playing a character, when looking as much like the actor as possible makes sense, but outside of that, especially when we are just talking about people doing this for _fun_, the point is not to create a perfect facsimile, but instead to show off your enjoyment of a show/movie/comic/game. Now, when you look at the pics that monstro linked to, do you see them as ‘“ha, ha, that’s funny” inaccurate cosplay’, because I don’t see them that way at all. I see them as dressing up as their favorite characters and having fun with it. To think that it is funny and inaccurate because they don’t have the same skin tone as the actor isn’t funny, actually. Do you laugh at them because the actor was 6’2", and they are only 5’8"? Do you laugh at them because they don’t have the bulging muscles that the characters (and often times even the actors) have? ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/104 "2019-02-03T21:45:25Z")
I certainly wouldn’t shy away from including someone’s sex as part of their description or identity either ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/105 "2019-02-03T21:50:45Z")
You can also bet if I’m cosplaying froto, I’m gonna be walking around on my knees as much as possible. ---
**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 3, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/106 "2019-02-03T21:52:36Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > I certainly wouldn’t shy away from including someone’s sex as part of their description or identity either Those things are important to some people, to others, they are less important than what type of person they are, how good a cook they are, how generous, or kind, or how much of an asshole or jerk they are. There are many, many descriptions of people that do not rely on skin color or gender. Now, if you are describing someone to a valet picking someone up in the airport, then physical descriptions make sense. If you are inviting someone over for a dinner party, or you are calling someone in for an interview, then if you choose to make that part of the description, then you are saying that that is an aspect of their character that is important to you. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/107 "2019-02-03T21:58:57Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Hairstyles are not an innate trait. They are _styles_. Dr. J’s afro was a deliberate, intentional look the same way that David Bowie’s red mullet was. So yes, those things are essential elements to their costume. Skin color is not, since they didn’t choose their skin color and their skin color doesn’t distinguish them from anyone else. Thank you for a very thoughtful response. I didn’t necessarily mean just copying a hairstyle, tho. I’m talking about “hair”. If a person is portraying Lucille Ball, and they make their hair curly and red, well, isn’t that Lucille Ball’s natural hair “style”? How is this trait different than skin color then? I agree that a mohawk or very long hair is a style choice, but color and straight/curly are not _necessarily_ choices. > [@monstro](#): > > Since I haven’t said there’s anything “wrong” with doing anything, your question is strange to me. But no, there’s nothing “wrong” with mimicking someone’s natural eye color, especially if we’re talking about an unusual eye color. But for 99.9% of the real historical or contemporary figures that people might want to cosplay, getting the eye color exactly right is completely unnecessary since eye color isn’t that noticeable a feature. If we’re talking about a costume contest with a sizeable grand prize, I might be tempted to put in some blue eye contacts if I’m going as Anderson Cooper–just to show the judges how committed I am. But otherwise, no. If I can’t convince people I’m “Anderson Cooper enough” with my mannerisms and a stylish white wig, then wearing contacts isn’t going to help. Again, thank you for a very thoughtful response. I hope I’m not coming across as overly antagonistic; your posts are a great help in clarifying and condensing much nuanced thought. I am certain they will help me to articulate why blackface is a bad idea when I am face-to-face with someone who isn’t playing Devil’s Advocate. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/108 "2019-02-03T22:04:59Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Unless you look exactly like the character, you can’t play it? > > I’ll agree that there are times when a bona fide requirement, like being the stunt double for an actor playing a character, when looking as much like the actor as possible makes sense, but outside of that, especially when we are just talking about people doing this for _fun_, the point is not to create a perfect facsimile, but instead to show off your enjoyment of a show/movie/comic/game. > > Now, when you look at the pics that monstro linked to, do you see them as ‘“ha, ha, that’s funny” inaccurate cosplay’, because I don’t see them that way at all. I see them as dressing up as their favorite characters and having fun with it. To think that it is funny and inaccurate because they don’t have the same skin tone as the actor isn’t funny, actually. Do you laugh at them because the actor was 6’2", and they are only 5’8"? Do you laugh at them because they don’t have the bulging muscles that the characters (and often times even the actors) have? Exactly. The logic of **Darren Garrison’s** argument leads us to a very messed-up conclusion: To be good cosplayers, black people have to stick to either black characters–the few that exist–or aliens or monsters. But whites are off-limits unless you want people to laugh at you. Because there’s no way they can ever look like a white character, and if you can’t look like a character, you might as well not even bother. Sure, a black person can whiten their skin. But would they really look white? Or would they look like a damn clown, wearing make-up that distracts from their costume? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/109 "2019-02-03T22:07:01Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > You didn’t answer my question. Do you think those people I linked to are cosplaying “wrong” since they don’t look exactly like the characters they are representing? > > Cuz personally, I don’t think that’s the point of cosplay. I think cosplay is about representing the essence of a character in such a way that the inconsequential differences in physical appearance aren’t even noticeable. Cosplay about how much you love a character. If you love a character enough and you have enough resources to craft an awesome costume, who cares if you skin doesn’t match? That seems like such a petty thing to get hung up on, for reals. Especially since different artists might draw details of characters differently. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/110 "2019-02-03T22:08:35Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Those things are important to some people, to others, they are less important than what type of person they are, how good a cook they are, how generous, or kind, or how much of an asshole or jerk they are. > > There are many, many descriptions of people that do not rely on skin color or gender. Now, if you are describing someone to a valet picking someone up in the airport, then physical descriptions make sense. If you are inviting someone over for a dinner party, or you are calling someone in for an interview, then if you choose to make that part of the description, then you are saying that that is an aspect of their character that is important to you. Or if I’m trying to look like them. If I’m trying to cosplay a woman I bet I wear fake breasts. If I’m froto I’m on my knees. But if I’m agent J well , you’ll just have to trust that I’m not K ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/111 "2019-02-03T22:10:11Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Exactly. > > The logic of **Darren Garrison’s** argument leads us to a very messed-up conclusion: To be good cosplayers, black people have to stick to either black characters–the few that exist–or aliens or monsters. But whites are off-limits unless you want people to laugh at you. Because there’s no way they can ever look like a white character, and if you can’t look like a character, you might as well not even bother. > > Sure, a black person can whiten their skin. But would they really look white? Or would they look like a damn clown, wearing make-up that distracts from their costume? I could easily airbrush a black person white in a very realistic fashion Hell I’ve airbrushed clothes on people where it’s difficult to tell they aren’t clothes. ---
**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 3, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/112 "2019-02-03T22:15:50Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > Or if I’m trying to look like them. > If I’m trying to cosplay a woman I bet I wear fake breasts. Maybe Dolly Parton or someone that is known for their large breasts, and I still think that that’s focusing on the traits that _you_ think are important. If you are cosplaying say, that girl from Pokemon, Misty, you probably would not need to get any augmentation for your chest. > [@](#): > > If I’m froto I’m on my knees. Frodo? was a hobbit, not a human. And he was played by an actor that was more or less normal height. If I were cosplaying him, I’d go grey cape and a ring about my neck. If you really want to get into character, grow out your foot hair and go barefoot. > [@](#): > > But if I’m agent J well , you’ll just have to trust that I’m not K The one of you that says “I make this look good”, is agent J. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/113 "2019-02-03T22:28:13Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Maybe Dolly Parton or someone that is known for their large breasts, and I still think that that’s focusing on the traits that _you_ think are important. If you are cosplaying say, that girl from Pokemon, Misty, you probably would not need to get any augmentation for your chest. > > Frodo? was a hobbit, not a human. And he was played by an actor that was more or less normal height. If I were cosplaying him, I’d go grey cape and a ring about my neck. If you really want to get into character, grow out your foot hair and go barefoot. > The one of you that says “I make this look good”, is agent J. The are really short people , and they are humans and I am gonna go really short, probably with rubber feet attached to my knees. Out of practicality I’ll probably only make my entrance that way but I’m still gonna do it. And it doesn’t need to be dolly. Wonderwoman, Jackie o , almost any really. Do I have to have the breasts, not necessarily , but I’m going to because it will make me look more like them. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/114 "2019-02-03T22:29:15Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Logic or consistency has no place among those who want to use weaponized language as a social bludgeon. Why do you think ridiculous concepts like digital blackface and cultural appropriation for cooking a taco make global news? Yeah, NOW they are ridiculous. Give it 10 or 20 years and a white person cooking a taco WILL be seen as a sign of racism. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/115 "2019-02-03T22:37:28Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Yeah, NOW they are ridiculous. Give it 10 or 20 years and a white person cooking a taco WILL be seen as a sign of racism. Most likely ---
**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 3, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/116 "2019-02-03T22:39:18Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Yeah, NOW they are ridiculous. Give it 10 or 20 years and a white person cooking a taco WILL be seen as a sign of racism. I made tacos last night, I’m white. Who is coming after me? Your fears are unfounded, and based on poorly understood actions that are completely unrelated to the claims that octopus made. (I know tacos on a saturday is against all reason and accountability, but I did it anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/117 "2019-02-03T22:39:47Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Thank you for a very thoughtful response. I didn’t necessarily mean just copying a hairstyle, tho. I’m talking about “hair”. If a person is portraying Lucille Ball, and they make their hair curly and red, well, isn’t that Lucille Ball’s natural hair “style”? How is this trait different than skin color then? Few people would recognize a Lucille Ball costume if someone was wearing, say a red Carrot Top wig with it. Or an Orphan Annie wig. Both are curly and red, but Lucille Ball didn’t wear her hair in either of those fashions. So I would think a Lucille Ball costume with those kinds of wigs would be kind of stupid. If those wigs were the only thing a a person could find, they’d be better off ditching them and just putting their hair up in this kind of [up-do](https://www.biography.com/.image/ar_1:1%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_face%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_300/MTE4MDAzNDA5OTQwMDIyNzk4/lucille-ball-9196958-3-402.jpg). Of course, if they’re just dressing up to amuse themselves, it doesn’t matter what they do. But I think if their goal is to really capture Lucille Ball’s essence so that they can be recognized by true fans, then not bothering to do anything to the hair except the superficial stuff is kind of missing the point. I don’t think Lucille Ball would want someone confusing her for Carrot Top. Or Orphan Annie. And I don’t think a true fan would be impressed by a Carrot Top or Orphan Annie-look alike trying to pass themselves off as Lucille Ball. Hair is always styled a certain way. If a person can’t be bothered to simulate someone’s signature hairstyle, whether through a wig or through their own hair-dressing skills, then trying to get the the color and texture just right seems rather pointless to me. The style is what people see first. Hairstyle is what separate Elvis from a rando nobody. ---
**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 3, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/118 "2019-02-03T22:42:02Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > Most likely Probably, in that racists will act as though they are being treated as racist while they make a taco, because they will be racists making a taco, but it would actually be because they are racists, who just happening to make a taco. Then, since there were racists who were making a taco who got called out as racists while making a taco, it will validate your fears. But a non-white racist making a taco… all good. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/119 "2019-02-03T22:50:28Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > Or if I’m trying to look like them. > If I’m trying to cosplay a woman I bet I wear fake breasts. The “fake breasts” wouldn’t be nearly as important as the hair, clothes, shoes, and make-up, and accessories. Breasts, real or fake, are not the salient difference between men and women. > [@](#): > > But if I’m agent J well , you’ll just have to trust that I’m not K Why would you choose to go as J but not K, if skin color is that important to you? Do you look more like a pale-faced Will Smith than you do Tommy Lee Jones? ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848/120 "2019-02-03T22:54:06Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Probably, in that racists will act as though they are being treated as racist while they make a taco, because they will be racists making a taco, but it would actually be because they are racists, who just happening to make a taco. > > Then, since there were racists who were making a taco who got called out as racists while making a taco, it will validate your fears. > > But a non-white racist making a taco… all good. Seems like it, how much is just sensationalism though? And how much will actually become mainstream…who knows. There are already very serious articles and University studies that conclude playing black video game characters contributes to racism. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-qualifies-as-blackface-what-forms-are-offensive-and-why/828848.md?page=7)