Fashion + Beauty
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Actors in blackface: Is it ever okay?
partner
Remember
Soul Man? In case you need a reminding, here's
the amazing
IMDB summary:
Mark doesn't expect any problems in going to college:
he and his friend have reserved places in Harvard and his parents
have the money to pay for his education there. But suddenly his
father's neurotic psychiatrist advises him to go on vacation in
Hawaii instead of spending more money on his son. Since Mark wants
to keep his lifestyle, including a fancy car and a flat shared with
his friend, he seeks financial support. The only foundation which
still accepts applications is for blacks only -- no problem, with
lots of bronzing pills and "soul in his voice" he sets out to
Harvard. Soon he has to realize that being black will cause some
people to handle him differently.
Whoa, right? Most recently, Robert Downey, Jr. donned blackface for
his role as a method actor who dyes his skin for a part in
Tropic Thunder, and then there's the matter of Fred
Armisen playing Barack Obama on
Saturday Night Live. As
far as I'm concerned, all's fair in love and comedy (although there
was nothing that funny about
Soul Man save for the
hilarious and odd fact that it ever got made), but still, all of
these instances give me pause. Is it really acceptable for actors
to do this? Funny or offensive, you tell me.
Ever wonder what you'd like as a different age or race? This random tool let's you do just that.
--Erin
Image via ScreenRant
More from Product Fiend and Allure:
Related: tropic thunder, soul man, skin, robert downey jr., race
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Posted by Monique Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:53am PDT
This is a hard one to answer. I think you definitely want to be sensitive to the feelings of others so it depends on how its is done. On the flip side when Eddie Murphy was on SNL he would put on white makeup and act like a white person as did Dave Chappelle on his show.
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Posted by LadyUneeK Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:08am PDT
I believe you have to realize that its just comedy. In alot of situations all you can do is laugh. I saw Tropic Thnder. Not only do I think he did a good acting job, it was funny too. This is something that actors have been doing for years. It's just comedy.
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Posted by Monica G Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:00pm PDT
It all depends on the context. Soul man, racist. Tropical Thunder, not racist. Soul Man was about a white man trying to be black. Tropic Thunder was about a confused actor who had issues breaking character. I was not offended by Tropic Thunder at all. I feel that Stiller and cast handled the controversial issue well.
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Posted by MochaMama42 Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:41pm PDT
Well, it's COMEDY, it's not offensive, it's a joke. Black Comedians also get made up to look like "white" people, so when it's all in fun, yes it's okay, when it's to degrade or humiliate, no , and there is definitely a difference.
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Posted by ladybella04 Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:20pm PDT
That's a touchy subject. I agree with mochamama...as long as it's not intended to be degrading or offensive, maybe it's ok. It depends on how it's handled. That said, it's hard to know where the line is sometimes. It is possible to create something with perfectly good intentions, only to realize later, that it really was offensive or hurtful. After it's been put out there, there's no taking it back.
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Posted by Kme Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:54pm PDT
you can easily tell each individual's race by their answer
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Posted by yummy23f_bunny Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:46pm PDT
OMG robert downey Jr.. was soooooo sexxy as a black man with the blue contacts in ... i wanted to jump at the movie screen ... i think hes sexxxxxy white too... but to the issue at hand it doesnt matter what color the actor is underneath aslong as they dont suck !
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Posted by she-raD Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:49pm PDT
I thought tropic thunder was great. I'm black and I was not at all offended by Robert Downey JR's Character. That was in fact why I went to see the movie. I laughed the whole time. People need to get over themselves. It's just COMEDY!
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Posted by Michelle Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:15pm PDT
HELLO does anyone remember the move "White Chicks"? I dont remeber anyone getting all upset about that one. The movie was so funny.
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