Britain's Other Music Hall: The Story of the Blackface Minstrels

BBC Radio 4. Britain's Other Music Hall: The Story of the Blackface Minstrels

Listen to the programme.

Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar

I saw someone referring to these photos as blackface, but they are not. Heidi Klum is simply covered in chocolate syrup. Heidi, and her husband Seal, both wore blackface for a Halloween 2009 party. They came as black crows.

Carlos Diez at Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 show in Madrid

Lady Gaga on V Magazine Cover

Get over it.

"On n'est pas couché" (2009)

I am not sure what this clip is all about, but it is current, and it is blackface. This is from a French TV show.

Johnathan Lambert .

Promotion for "Rendez vous en terre inconnue" (Appointments in Unfamiliar)

France 2, November 7, 2009

Take a Lesson from This Dude

Lessons learned under Obama, part 1 of a series

Posted using ShareThis

Take a Lesson from New York Civil Rights Coalition

Dear Editor [of Long Island Press]:

Students and youths wear “offensive,” “racially insensitive” and outrageous costumes all the time for Halloween—including ones that include black makeup, such as when white kids go as Michael Jackson or when they don an afro wig to poke fun at or pay homage to an African American icon [“Commack Student Sent Home for Aunt Jemima Costume,” Oct. 31]. What of it?! And, yes, kids have worn such “offensive” costumes as Johnny Yuma (Confederate rebel) soldier uniforms and caps, Hitler outfits, and even—as did the 17-year-old who was suspended for wearing “black face” and an Aunt Jemima costume—Pocahontas costumes.

I’ve also seen kids don robes and beards to resemble Jesus or Osama Bin Laden. All such costumes are “offensive” to someone or some constituency for some reason. So what!

The high school officials who suspended the 17-year-old white male student for standing his ground—for his indignantly refusing to wipe off his makeup—acted foolishly; these school officials simply overreacted, taking offense for blacks. As a black and citizen I deplore such censorship and racial paternalism by school authorities. (Incidentally, paternalism is a form of racism.) Likewise, the NAACP—which is given nowadays to knee-jerk responses of crying “racism” to plain old fun and, now, even to Halloween antics that involve the donning of costumes that poke fun at or embrace racial stereotypes—lacked the common sense to know that they shouldn’t chase after kids in Halloween drag, as if those kids were modern-day robe- and hood-wearing Ku Klux Klan members.

Civil rights forces should deplore the suspension of the high school student, who was just having fun, and we should also lament the entry of the NAACP on the wrong side of the suspension, and also wonder where was and is the ACLU? The ACLU used to combat censorship and defend with great alacrity students’ freedoms from overzealous, inane school officials.

Michael Meyers
Executive Director, New York Civil Rights Coalition

"Transracial" Being Abused

The word transracial SHOULD mean "to change race." However it is being used instead of the word interracial by the adoption industry. When you adopt a kid that is a different race, that is a interracial placement - not transracial.

What next? Transracial marriages? Will transsexuals be called intersexuals?

Not Really Aboriginal

In a 2008 exhibition, Not Really Aboriginal, Aboriginal artist Bindi Cole explored what non-Indigenous people thought what an "Aboriginal identity" should look like.

What if Matrix was shot in the silent films' era

A Russian actor's group called "Big Difference" (Bolshaya Raznitsa / Большая Разница) remade The Matrix as a Charlie Chaplin silent film.

Kaapse Klopse Coon Carnival Time Again

The Cape Festival – Kaapse Klopse

2009-11-09 18:22:18 - It was August 20, 1982 when the Christy’s Minstrels premiered in Cape Town for the first time. Later in June 19, 1890 Orpheus Myron McAdoo’s Virginia Jubliee Singers from Hampton arrived in Cape Town as the first black minstrels to tour South Africa

The reception held was overwhelming and enchanting. The air was filled with joy and pleasing smiles, even some locals were recorded saying in amazement, “they were black”. The event gave birth to a yearly memorization of this legendry and historic event in the form of a festival called “The Kaapse Klopse”. The word “Klopse” owes its origin to “clubs” in
Cape Dutch or more precisely in its English Version as “troupes” and sketches that the minstrels are grouped into Klopse.

Since than, The Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse) emerged as a minstrel festival that takes place every year in the heart of South Africa, Cape Town on January 2. The richness and spirit of Africa is evidently visible in the Klopse Festival, when as estimated 13,000 minstrels, many in black face, take to the streets garbed in shockingly bright colors carrying wither an umbrella or playing an array of musical instruments. The majority of participants in this gaily colorful happening include a good number of Afrikaans-speaking families, mostly middle class. These “colored” successfully have preserved the custom since the mid 19th century and provide a great source of spiritual enlightening for the natives as well as people form round the world till now.

The biggest inspiration or more appropriately, the source of the parade and the festival is the dark times and horrors of slavery. This electrifying festival has been given many shapes, extension and names with the passage of time. Although it is also called the “Coon Carnival” by Capetonians, local authorities have renamed the festival the “Cape Town Minstrel Carnival”. Today, the festival begins on New Year's Day and continues into January. Traditionally, it is supposed to be a site for grievances against white supremacy that lasted for a long time. Several festivities became a part of the festival including street parades with singing and dancing, costume competitions and marches through the streets of Cape Town. While many troupes now are supported by corporate sponsors, many refuse and remain sticklers for tradition. The 2005 carnival was nearly cancelled due to an alleged lack of funding, while the 2006 carnival was officially called off for the same reason. However, the troupe organizations subsequently decided to go ahead with the parade despite continued unhappiness over funding, and the festivities were opened by Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool on 2 January 2006. Realtors seeking to reap the economic rewards of a rapidly gentrifying downtown in wake of the 2010 World Cup are painting the Coons as disruptive and attempted to force the festivities to end at 9 p.m. In January 2009, police on horseback took to the route walking against the course of the parade, threatening marchers and demanding that the music stop. It is a dilemma that a festival so deep routed and unique in its own way is coming to its end. There are many nations that still celebrate festivals where the most painful, piercing, crucifications or simple burning of statues is done in memory of slavery, pain or freedom fight. What we should consider is that every nation has and should have a right to express their history in their own way.

Take A Lesson From Tonight Show Writer, Deon Cole

Conan O'Brien: I want to mention something real in the news. Enough of our tomfoolery. A, uh, it's kind of a, uh, story that's been out there. A Dallas Cowboy cheerleader dressed up as the rapper Lil Wayne for Halloween this past weekend. Well, now she's involved in a controvery. Uh, photos of the cheerleader as Lil Wayne leaked out the other day, and now people are upset. They're saying she was clearly dressing in blackface. Yeah. Here is the cheerleader, uh, as she appears normally. That's just her on an average day. And uh, about to go out and get some groceries, and uh, this is her, this is her as Lil Wayne, right there. And, this is what got people upset. Now, I know that, I know that looks bad, but someone here at the Tonight Show wants everyone watching to know there is no reason to be upset. Yeah. Here to explain further, please welcome, one of our writers, Mr. Deon Cole. Hey Deon.

Deon Cole: Thanks, Conan. It's okay America. Alright? About this whole blackface thing. I mean if we haven't said nothing by now about it, let's not start. I mean where was all the outrage with Robert Downey, Jr.? Okay? When he was in Tropic Thunder.

(film still of RDJ, audience chuckles)

Where was all the outrage at with that guy from Saturday Night Live who played Barack Obama? I mean just 'cause it was a lighter shade of black, doesn't mean it wasn't blackface.

And who could forget Christian Bale... as Batman.

And the main person no one ever says anything about, who always walks around in blackface... Wayne Brady.

So, if it's okay for them, America, it's okay for that cheerleader. Just let it go.

[A Black Thing You Ought To Know]

Individualook by Steven Klein

Aubrey O'day's friend

Aubrey O'day had a friend dressed as Kanye West.

Toronto - St. Michael's, Victoria and University College

On October 29th, St. Michael's, Victoria and University College's student unions held a Halloween party that was heavily advertised across campus. In attendance were a group of students dressed as the Jamaican Bobsled Team.

4 students of the group were dressed in blackface.
1 student was dressed in whiteface.

Their costumes won them top honors in a "best costume" competition.

Foofee

Foofee is some of that old-time golliwog appeal, mixed with a little modern Black "bling" as they like to call it. These toys are available online at various retailers at this time.

A Little Bird Told Me That

Heidi Klum, and her hubby Seal, dressed-up as black crows for her 10th Annual Halloween Party in Los Angeles on Oct. 31st. Guests included Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba and Kelly Osbourne, who all sipped on Heidi’s signature Skyy vodka Halloween cocktails.

They had their faces painted black, in other words. Crows have been used to depict Black people in Dumbo, Fritz the Cat, and other films. In Dumbo, the only crow voiced by a White man is named Jim.

Thank You Deron Williams

Deron Williams as Cal Ripken

Williams posed for this photo which was released to 105.3's Brasky & Gregg show, donning an Orioles hat and ghastly make-up. This is not in response to Ms. Isleib's costume whatsoever, it's just a black dude dressing up like a white dude for Halloween.

Kim & Reggie Are Good With It

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush posing for a Halloween photo with imitators in New Orleans. It's all good.

V Magazine

Sasha Pivovarova in blackface posing opposite Heidi Mount. Beautiful job ladies!

Happy Shabalala

Harry Sideropoulos transformed his face by painting it black to portray Bongani Khumalo and Sibongile Sisulu.

“It’s the South African way – paint it over and smile for the camera. Painting Harry’s face in a very real way is endemically South African . Did we want to offend? Never. Did we want to portray genuine characters? Certainly. Was the black face necessary? We believe so. It merely strengthened the characters, with no offence intended, other than to those promoting the incongruities behind the real veneer that our characters show up. That’s satire."

“The lies, half-truths and omissions we are bombarded with are the real mask that should be torn down – with laughter and understanding. We believe that nowhere is the truth being delivered with genuine laughter than in Happy Shabalala" – Strato Copteros, Charmaine Weir-Smith, Harry Sideropoulos.


Get over it, now.

Comparing Things to Blackface: Japanese McDonald's Ad

People have been comparing this Japanese McDonalds commercial to blackface. Mr. James has been referred to as a Gaijin Sambo.

Debito Arudou, a regular pundit, compares this stereotypical treatment to "blackface" performers in the 1920`s, Amos and Andy, buckteeth mocking portrayals of Chinese in the movies.

Look, WHITE PEOPLE DON'T GIVE A FUCK. We are not the pansy-assed hypersensitive idiots Black people prove themselves to be when they freak out over racial issues. And EVERYTHING is racial when you are Black.

Bottom line: You can not effect White people with words or images. Sticks and stones.

Clive Baldwin Not Allowed to Use Blackface? Absurd!

Jolson impersonator Clive Baldwin Photo: Phil Callaghan

A theatre was under fire after it banned an Al Jolson tribute act from 'blacking up' - claiming it is racist.

Singer Clive Baldwin was ordered to perform the entire show - dedicated to the US legend - without makeup.

Al Jolson famously blacked up for his role in 'The Singing Fool' show in 1928 and was the highest paid comic in America during the Depression.

His show popularised the convention of white actors performing in black makeup - famously copied in TV's the Black and White Minstrel Show in the 1960s and 70s.

But bosses at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, West Mids., told Mr Baldwin that black makeup is ''inappropriate in a modern multicultural society''.

John Wray, director of AIR productions who are putting on the show, said: ''It's a bit ridiculous, it's like having the Supremes and them all being white.

''It just that happens that it's an historical fact. It's not in any way derogatory. Many of the people involved in the show are black.''

Clive's show, 'The Living Voice of Al Jolson', was a 14-date nationwide tour which included performances in Aylesbury, Spennymoor, Dundee, Whitley Bay, Selkirk and Middlesborough.

He usually blacks up for the second part of the show, which involves him singing Al Jolson favourites 'Climb up on my knew sonny boy' and 'Mammy'.

The Belgrade Theatre was the only venue to ban him from blacking up for the final night of the tour on October 31.

Anthony Flint, director of Belgrade Theatre, defended the decision.

He said: ''We were asked if we wanted Mr Baldwin to use black face makeup or not and we decided it would be inappropriate in a modern multicultural society for him to do so.

''Our box office staff made it quite clear to ticket bookers that Mr Baldwin would not be using black face makeup on our stage.''

But fans of Al Jolson have reacted angrily to the ban, branding the decision ''political correctness gone mad''.

Speaking after the show, Paul Jakes, 34, from Coventry, said: ''Once again the 'right-on' brigade have come out and ruined a perfectly good show.

''Sadly it's a case of political correctness gone mad. The sad acts should get a life and stop pussy footing around racial equality.

''None of the black actors in the show have a problem with black makeup so why should a bunch of stuffy white theatre bosses?''

John Wells, 49, from Coventry, added: ''What next? Future shows like Cabaret with no Nazis? West Side Story with two white gangs? Or Jesus Christ Superstar with a happy ending?''

Colin Perrot, 50, who watched the show last week, added: ''They [theatre bosses] have drawn attention to a problem which never existed in the first place.

''None of the audience would have been offended by Clive's second half appearance in minstrel mode, for this simple reason - this was a big part of what they had come to see.''

Jolson, who died in 1950, was the first recording artist to sell over one million records and starred in a string of Broadway hits.

He is also credited with fighting racism at the height of his career.

Stroudsburg RHPS

On Halloween night, seemingly all of Stroudsburg came out for the annual "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Sherman Theater. I arrived late and conspicuously underdressed. My dirty blue jeans and black hoodie stood out distinctly from the panoply of weird and exquisite costumes. There was a man dressed in a fat baby costume, another with black face paint and an afro (NAACP would be all over that) and of course a variety of the more risque; costumes that are popular with girls and guys alike these days.

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HEY BLACK PEOPLE!! You want to bitch about this too? Here it is. Now you know about it. So, are you going to pitch a fit?

Take a Blackface Lesson from WVU

Women’s soccer costumes not racist, WVU says
By David Ryan


Published: Friday, November 6, 2009

Three West Virginia women’s soccer players blacked their faces for a Halloween event last week.

Photos surfaced earlier this week on Facebook showing three players in black makeup with padding on their buttocks.

Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer for the President’s Office for Social Justice at West Virginia University, confirmed the incident occurred at a "fun, team event" for Halloween.

"They were not in blackface. I mean, as we consider blackface," McIntosh said.

Blackface is the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans by caucasians covering themselves in black makeup.

"This was not done in any kind of derogatory manner whatsoever," McIntosh added.

Historically, blackface is a derogatory stereotype against African Americans, said Marjorie Fuller, director of WVU’s Center for Black Culture and Research.

Fuller didn’t believe the incident had any intentional racial connotations but highlighted the need for further education on the matter at WVU.

Athletic director Ed Pastilong said the matter would be discussed privately.

"It’s a situation that the ladies, among themselves, were dressing up among themselves, and that’s about it," he said.

McIntosh said players sought approval from their teammates before the event.

"The white women asked the black women, the black women asked the white women," McIntosh said. "The black women didn’t go as the white women because they had already picked out their outfits."

McIntosh spoke with the black players from the team afterward and found no offense had been taken from the incident.

"They didn’t wear any funny clothes; they wore University gear," she said. "They weren’t wearing anything inappropriate."

Women’s soccer head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown had no comment on the matter.

Similar incidents have occurred on other campuses recently.

Two students at Northwestern University, Ill. are at the center of controversy after photos taken of them in blackface during Halloween were posted online.

As a result, Northwestern is now holding a forum to discuss racial issues on campus.

So far, there are no plans for WVU to address racial issues on campus.

Brian Gawthrop contributed to this report.

Bitches Still Fucking with Councilman George Barich

Cotati - Bitch-assed, weak-minded fools have forced a recall election. Let's go George! Win that election!

These weak bitches like to fuck with George because of his Funky Town campaign where he wore blackface. Fuck the haters. Blackface is awesome.

Madonna Wore Blackface

Madonna wanted 'Black Madonna' instead of 'Hard Candy' as album title

October 16th, 2009 LONDON - Madonna has revealed that she initially had a different title and cover image in mind for her album 'Hard Candy,' but she thought it was a little too provocative. The Queen of Pop had actually thought of calling the project 'Black Madonna.' In fact, she had posed in blackface make-up with white eyes for photographer Steven Klein's cover art.

So EAT IT FUCKERS!!! Blackface is here in full force, so fuck the haters!

Whitney Isleib Victimized

Whitney Isleib of the famed Dallas Cowboys cheer squad dressed as neocoon Lil Wayne for Halloween. A shit storm of Black appeasement ensued. Fuck this shit. If she went as a famous White person, everything would be fine. But, because Lil Wayne is an embarrassment to Black people, no one wants him imitated. Straighten out your own closet Black people!

Blacks will not be happy until Whites have no freedom of expression.

Whitney, add me on facebook.

Northwestern University

Two white Northwestern University students are in hot water after photos of them wearing blackface for Halloween surfaced this week on Facebook and sparked campus-wide outrage.

One of the students covered himself in blackface and wore a T-shirt with the word "Jamaica" on it. The other dressed as a female tennis player in blackface, a stuffed bra and toting a tennis racket.

"When I saw photos of the blackface kid, I laughed myself out of my chair," wrote Carlton Barzon in The Daily Northwestern.

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SO FUCKING WHAT!! There is nothing wrong with blackface - ever. Fuck the haters. Don't let these fools get you down guys. Contact me.

Dean Jeziorkowski Victimized

A Long Island student who dressed like Aunt Jemima for Halloween was sent home from school when he refused to wipe off his blackface make-up. Before being kicked out, Commack High School senior Dean Jeziorkowski — who has dressed in drag for every Halloween since third grade, going as Barbie, a nun, Wilma Flintstone, and Pocahontas in past years — donned a wig, a bandana, and blackface and "darted in and out of classrooms toting a syrup bottle, asking, 'You want some pancakes?'"

Apparently, school officials didn't see the humor in dressing as the iconic advertising caricature, which Blacks get all uppity about. That said, the students interviewed by the Daily News didn't find Jeziorkowski's get-up particularly offensive. Classmate Manny Cruz, 16, said, "It's funny as hell. He's known for being an athlete, a funny dude, pretty chill. He's not known for being a racist or anything."

You go Dean! Bambizzoozled loves you, and supports you. Don't let the pussies poison your mind.

Blackhawks Down (With Blackface That Is)

Chicago Blackhawks Halloween Party: Adam Burish as Dennis Rodman and Patrick Kane as Scottie Pippen for their Chicago Bulls costumes.



Awesome costumes guys. Don't let the haters warp your mind. You have done nothing wrong.

Ft. Hood, TX - Black Students Complaining About Halloween Costume

This first video got removed by the poster, because he is a little bitch. The link to his reposting is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aENSt_4aD4

Embedding disabled, and comments on approval only. What a bitch.

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Then he made a followup video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn13LXAu83M

In this one, you can tell I was getting through to him. He starts to express some of MY opinions like HE came up with them. He turned off my ability to comment on the video because he is a little bitch.

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Now this is a different guy (seriously):


He's not too bright.

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So they had their say. My opinion of the matter is best summed up in the song I wrote, called "Infamy," back in 2004. Have a listen...

Coming to America

In the barbershop scene, during the conversation about Muhammed Ali, Eddie Murphy is wearing whiteface, and impersonating an old Jew. Regarding any claims that this character is a light-skinned Black man, I base this decision on the character having straight hair. The character is White.

This character is the fulfillment of Eddie's early character, Gumby. But now, instead of greenface with big yellow lips, which looks absolutely minstrel when viewed on a black and white television, we see fully realized convincing whiteface, complete with Jewish features.

Let's not forget that Eddie did White Like Me on SNL, which later morphed into Watermelon Man. He also played a Chinese guy in Norbit.

Wendy Williams Show: Halloween 2009

I am pretty sure that hostess, Wendy Williams, who was dressed as Dolly Parton (unreal tits, but I digress), said that the blackface drag queen - possibly dressed as Wendy herself - "[was] great."

At any rate there was at least one blackface drag queen on the front row of the audience.

ANTM // Americas Next Top Model Cycle 13 Episode 9 - Part 3

Tyra is at it again. She LOVES the blackface.

John Safran's Race Relations

Australia's John Safran wears blackface.

Schwarz auf Weiss

German reporter Günter Wallraff spent over a year traveling through Germany disguised as fictional Somalian man Kwami Ogonno for the film Schwarz auf Weiss ( Black on White ). His goal was to experience racism at first hand, so he put on a blackface for the occasion.