For some odd reason, blackface seems to be popping up everywhere - from the campus of Northwestern to variety shows in Australia. It has even permeated the sports world. On Halloween, Chicago Blackhawks Adam Burish and Patrick Sharp painted their bodies brown to perfect their respective Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman costumes, and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Whitney Isleib did the same as part of her ‘Lil Wayne getup.
Goooo Offense-ive!
These guys should know better
And I can’t help but grit my teeth each time I go to an Iowa football game and see a handful of fans who have painted their faces completely black in attempts to showcase school spirit. Why all black? Why not also use yellow – Iowa’s other school color?
Some Hawkeyes got offensive when Michigan came to town
I assume these incidences are not perpetuated out of maliciousness, but rather simple ignorance. But its hard to stomach such blatant irreverence. Regardless of the context, blackface inevitably conjures up images of a history of black oppression in America – portrayals of dull-witted painted minstrels originating in the Antebellum period. Since all teams sport more than one official color, why choose the lone offensive color for the face?
As Larry Wilmore – “Senior Black Correspondent” on the Daily Show – comically, yet bluntly states, “Blackface is never okay.”
Even in the stands.
What do you think?
