Beyonce's Blackface

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Model Pic:



This is an obvious homage to Grace Jones, so I don't see it as sporting blackface (blackbody?), but I remember people being upset about it.

I love Grace Jones and that's a kick-ass depiction. A kick-ass depiction in that context is not automatically "blackface" in the historical sense that it is used. However, I also know that it is a thin line. I damn sure wouldn't be as cool with a white model wearing black makeup just because she looks like Grace Jones.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I just looked at Lara Stone's spread and didn't find it offensive either. I think that they're playing a specific character and the makeup fits.

Her photos were beautiful. Buuuuut, why get Lara Stone's white self to play a specific character when there are nonwhite women who could do it? If a specific character who is of a specific race and ethnicity (which isn't the same as being of a specific skin hue or complexion) is what they wanted.

Oh yeah...they wouldn't be Lara Stone. So...the photographers, et al. probably weren't clueless of the potential pros and cons (blackface was/is an international phenomenon) but perhaps felt the pros outweigh the cons.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

It's not like they're tap-dancing in a minstrel show.

Blackface was/is not limited to tap-dancing in a minstrel show.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

While I'm not offended by Beyonce, I think it's odd because of 1) the half-makeup and 2) the fact that she doesn't look like the person she's supposed to be paying respects to.

I call shennanigans and bullshit on Beyonce.

Some things are a FAIL based on outcome and regardless of the intent; and regardless of how cool/funny/awesome/clever/whatever it was when it was thought up. Case in point: