Last week, Nick cannon sparked some outrage in the internet community when he posted a picture of himself in his white alter-ego persona “Connor Smallnut” donning whiteface. You can see the image here.
Of course, Cannon painting himself white to try and portray a white person would offend somebody with people accusing him of being a hypocrite. The controversy here is that those who are offended by Cannon’s use of whiteface are wondering why is it that people get offended when they don blackface but it is supposedly okay when a black person goes whiteface. It is an interesting conversation to have that I think not enough people are talking about. On the surface these two issues appear to be very similar, but that is not necessarily the case. The difference between these two issues is history. The history of blackface runs deep and is a part of our shameful past.
Blackface is a form of makeup used by performers to try and represent a black person on stage or screen. White people would routinely play characters who were meant to be black by applying this form of makeup. It is considered offensive because of the stereotypical caricature depiction of a black person. It represents the dehumanization of black people and their lack of opportunity in the world and ability to represent themselves in the world of theater and media. The result is a distorted view of black culture and its people. Blacks are not the only group that face this issue. Native Americans and Asian-Americans too have faced their fair share of yellowface and redface as well. It may not sound that horrible or anything worth fretting over, but it is. Media is a powerful thing and people’s culture and ethnicity should be portrayed honestly and accurately.
Well, there you have it. A brief history and description of blackface and why it offends people today. Historically, the term whiteface is not associated in a negative light nor do I think it is a term that actually officially exists. The issue of blackface has to do with more than just covering up to look black. It represents the denied opportunities that the minority group do not get to enjoy as much as those in the majority. Luckily, the situation is definitely improving as blackface is nearly nonexistent in film and black people are given roles and opportunities to play honest and accurate roles though the situation is still quite limited for the other previously mentioned groups.
Whiteface does not have the history that blackface does and that is why the two issues are quite different. It is not just about putting on makeup to look like a certain group. I think Cannon had it right when he said blackface is about oppression in his interview on Good Morning America which you can briefly read about here. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/03/31/nick-cannon-responds-to-whiteface-criticism/
George Stephanopoulus brought up a question asked by a facebook user asking would it be the same if Eminem had an album named Black People Rapper Music. My answer, no it wouldn’t be the same and that is because of history. So the stunt with Nick Cannon is not necessarily a case where the minority gets a free pass at racism while the majority does not. We want to believe that we live in a society where color, ethnicity, creed, etc. does not matter and that we are blind. I want to live in that world one day myself. But sadly, that day is not today and it will be awhile. So until that day comes, we must understand our history and the differences we share. But that difference should not be something that divides us, rather it should be something to celebrate.
That is not to say that I think what Nick Cannon did was okay. Of course a stunt like that would have offended someone and I think that he should not have done it without expecting some kind of controversy or backlash. But I feel like the people that are offended are offended for the wrong reasons. They do not understand the history of blackface and why people should be offended at such practice. Perhaps Nick Cannon did it simply as a joke and since there is not negative history associated with it, it would be okay. But history or no, it was poor taste. I’m quite the believer in the saying an eye for an eye will leave the world blind.
That’s all I have to say about the issue. Another excuse to inform you guys about history.
Millennial Nation 