Not News, But Am I A Racist?

[Deskdiary]

My wife and I have just returned from a 'come as your hero' party.

I went as Rick James who, in my opinion, is the most unrecognised piece of brilliance ever to have uttered a note (Google Fire and Desire - just superb).

Anyway, I blacked-up. And about 45 minutes ago was told I was racist for doing so. I tried to explain that as Rick James is a hero so how on earth can it be racist, but it fell on death ears.

So, an I wrong or, if as I suspect, is my accuser a complete moron?

[Khandro]

The new orthodoxy in Hollywood now demands that an actor's ethnicity must match the character portrayed. Soon in Shakespeare, Macbeth will have to be played by a Highlander, Macbeth by a Jew and Richard the III by an English hunchback (so as not to offend those who are unfortunately so deformed).

[anotheoldgit]

Even an English 16th century Morris dance tradition is now banned.
Why do we continue to kow-Tow to this stupid PC nonsense when no offence is intended.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2016/08/25/106773564_BNEPY6_morris3-news_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq-gaKsLgbA6-uokDv4MbJV0L_1AzX9OAop4z8myOQPks.jpg?imwidth=1160

/// Morris dancers have performed with black face make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition - which is thought to date back to the 16th century.

Known as ‘Border Morris’ the tradition sees performers wearing a full-face of black paint in order to disguise themselves. But it has no racial connotations.

One theory is that it started when impoverished 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces to avoid being recognised while begging during winter, as asking for money was illegal. ///

[NoMercy]

Impersonating someone you had great admiration and regard for is not tantamount to racism.

Grand stupidity on the part of your accuser!

[Zacs-Master]

Look at all the white folks saying no offence intended. Mmm.

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master
/// Look at all the white folks saying no offence intended. Mmm. ///

Well a black person couldn't say that since they can't do anything about the colour of their skin, Dohh!!!

[Old_Geezer]

Well they are not looking for racism where none exists. But I suspect plenty of black folk would agree; and red folk, and yellow folk, and brown folk.

[Smowball]

The world's gone mad! How are you meant to depict a black person without looking black?? It's like going dressed as Michael Jackson but with white skin and blonde hair. We've become a nation of complete snowflakes!

[Zacs-Master]

A black person should be the one to judge whether it's offensive or not tho, surely?

[Smowball]

If you dress up as someone white it's not offensive, so how is it if you dress up as someone black?? And I don't have a racist bone in my body btw x

[NoMercy]

No Zacs, racism can be determined by anyone, regardless of the colour of their skin.

Do you not think that black people and other ethnicities like to play the racist card when it suits them?

[Old_Geezer]

No. Offensive or not is a subjective opinion. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. The community view emerges from finding out everyone's opinion. Not just black people's opinion. That would be racist.

[Zacs-Master]

NoM, racism can but offence cannot. How can anyone but a person at risk of being offended say whether something is truly offensive or not?

[Khandro]

re my post 10:13 it should read ' Shylock by a Jew' - of course. :0)

[douglas9401]

Not racist but not exactly model hero material:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_James

[murraymints]

just another example of PC gone mad..I personally, am sick to death of walking on eggshells incase some poor soul takes offence.if someone is black..they are black..if someone is fat they are fat..bejesus facts are facts !

[anotheoldgit]

Why are black people so touchy about the colour of their skin, surely they should be proud of it?

The old saying goes, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".

[murraymints]

AOG ..chips on shoulders ? or just plain hostile and aggressive ? who knows ?

[sp1814]

Deskdiary

Not racist at all, but there's something off about your story that I just want to get clarified...how did you do your hair and make-up?

I ask because a) it's extremely difficult to get a wig that looks anything like Rick James' hair and b) it's also extremely difficult to get make-up that would be similar to Mr James' skin colour.

Is it possible that in your efforts to emulate your hero, you may have inadvertently crossed the threshold into minstrel territory?

[-Talbot-]

Off or untrue?
Spit it out man.