How Can This Possibly Be Described As Racist Or Even Discriminatory Behaviour?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11306673/International-rugby-star-blacks-up-for-Wilfried-Bony-costume.html

[dave50]

It isn't. I don't understand why blacking up can be considered racist. If you are doing an impersonation of someone then you try to make yourself look like this person as best you can, end of story. It's the usual trouble makers who like to be offended on other's behalf. They should be ignored.

[New Judge]

I don't understand why "blacking up" should be considered racists.

Immitation, as they say, is the severest form of flattery and nobody said Michal JAckson was racist when he bleached his skin.

[Svejk]

I'd have laughed my ar5e off.

[Orderlimit]

"Weyman Bennett, secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: .."

Say no more. I thought this embarrasing far-left thug and those coked-up UAF boneheads had fizzled away.

[youngmafbog]

The right-on brigade will latch on to anything like this. I'm surprised they dont moan when people dress up in kilts or Roman outfits.

Come to think of it, they do moan if yo uput on a Nazi outfit !

[douglas9401]

I've just sent an email to the head of imagined insults at the Italian government apologising for the guy dressed as a Roman soldier.
That a citizen of a conquered land should dare to impersonate one of those responsible for bringing straight roads, heated bath houses and eating till you vomit is beyond the pale, a slight that will only be removed when the offender presents himself for crucifiction in accordance with ancient law.

[janbee]

Some people just LOVE to be offended or find fault somewhere, anywhere. I don't consider this racist.

[Peter Pedant]

// Come to think of it, they do moan if yo uput on a Nazi outfit ! //

watch out YMB you're showing disturbing leftie tendencies !

an MP went as Maddie McC a year or so ago didnt he

and so YMB all by yourself you have to come to the conclusion that some behaviour is unacceptable

[Peter Pedant]

ministerio degl' insulti immaginari

hmm sounds a bit like a child abusing section of the Vatican
but good luck ....

[brionon]

To Black up is insulting. so being black is not good ??? I don't get it !

[sp1814]

White people 'blacking-up' i 2014 isn't racist, but blacking-up traditionally was done to mock black people.

Both sides of this argument are wrong. Those who shout, "This is racist" fail to understand that there is no intent, and those who shout, "This is not racist" fail to understand how uncomfortable it makes many black people feel about 'blackface' because it recalls some quite unpleasant imagery.

Still, I suppose this story is a good thing. Debating the subject will only lead to a decrease in ignorance.

[andy-hughes]

As usual, sp1814 has succinctly and perfectly explained what the fuss should be about.

It's not racist behaviour, but it is stupid, thoughtless and bone-headed, and let's face it, not particularly amusing anyway.

[Baldric]

///Weyman Bennett, secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: "This picture is absolutely not appropriate. It is racist to black up."///

You tell 'em!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNbGYRSsV8g

[Baldric]

^^^^^ Click on "Youtube" @ centre screen to play

[andy-hughes]

Baldric - this is not 'blacking up' - in the accepted sense.

These men are wearing black makeup to copy the miners who founded this troup, and were 'black' as a by-product of their job.

So really, it's meaningless to post this on this thread.

[Baldric]

Weyman Bennett doesn't seem to apply that distinction Andy, so thank goodness you and your superior knowledge are here to guide me.

[andy-hughes]

Baldric - "Weyman Bennett doesn't seem to apply that distinction Andy, so thank goodness you and your superior knowledge are here to guide me."

If you had made it clear with your post that you were pointing out the fatuousness of Mr Bennett's observation, then I would not have posted as I did.

No need to be sarky, where's your Christmas spirit?

[Baldric]

Oops, forgot to say Thank You!

[Gromit]

It obviously isn't racist.

I do not know why people post pictures of themselves on Twitter? Is ait a form of showing off? And if you do post a picture, then you are liable to comments, whether they are good or bad. I guess that is how it works.

We are talking about a small number of people who thought it was racist. Not sure why that is a story in a national newspaper?