• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Outer Space Blackface: Emerald City Comic-Con's Special Attendee

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Bobby Roberts

Banned
I am not at the Emerald City Comic-Con this year. It's the first year since 2009 that I've had to miss it: I don't really have the money, and plus I got hit with a massive head-cold/flu thing. So instead of going, I'm living vicariously through a bunch of my friends on facebook and twitter.

One of em posted this picture of an attendee.

BEUxz2JCEAAT447.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a middle-aged white guy in blackface as Geordi LaForge.

What's interesting is that a lot of people have apparently seen this guy, he's come to people's booths, people are making small-talk with him, but nobody is saying anything along the lines of "dude, it's 2013. What's up with the blackface?"

I guess my question is - would you feel weird asking this guy to not do this? It's kinda obvious looking at the guy that he's probably not racist, just really, really culturally ignorant. Or maybe he simply doesn't care. I don't know. But would you approach him and take the minute or two to talk to him about it, or would you just let him be, shake your head, and get back to enjoying yourself and the convention?
 
FatboyRoberts said:
I am not at the Emerald City Comic-Con this year. It's the first year since 2009 that I've had to miss it: I don't really have the money, and plus I got hit with a massive head-cold/flu thing. So instead of going, I'm living vicariously through a bunch of my friends on facebook and twitter.

One of em posted this picture of an attendee.



Yes, this is a middle-aged white guy in blackface as Geordi LaForge.

What's interesting is that a lot of people have apparently seen this guy, he's come to people's booths, people are making small-talk with him, but nobody is saying anything along the lines of "dude, it's 2013. What's up with the blackface?"

I guess my question is - would you feel weird asking this guy to not do this? It's kinda obvious looking at the guy that he's probably not racist, just really, really culturally ignorant. Or maybe he simply doesn't care. I don't know. But would you approach him and take the minute or two to talk to him about it, or would you just let him be, shake your head, and get back to enjoying yourself and the convention?
Click to expand...

I think people don't make a big deal about it because it is so sad to dress up as a star trek character.
 
Blackface is done with a deliberate exaggerating and dehumanizing of black people.

He is simply in a costume. He is not trying to mock or insult black people
 
I would add: go a Google Image Search for "blackface" if you want to see what actual blackface makeup looks like.
 
it's not even a little bit dehumanizing to reduce the race of a person to part of a costume choice?

I understand that the guy might just be trying to approximate his favorite character as closely as possible (A wig would probably go much further than taking the time to darken his skin) but it seems a pretty culturally ignorant choice.

Which would, I would think, make talking to the guy a lot more productive than if he actually was simply a racist fan of a black sci-fi character, which he probably isn't.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
it's not even a little bit dehumanizing to reduce the race of a person to part of a costume choice?

I understand that the guy might just be trying to approximate his favorite character as closely as possible (A wig would probably go much further than taking the time to darken his skin) but it seems a pretty culturally ignorant choice.

Which would, I would think, make talking to the guy a lot more productive than if he actually was simply a racist fan of a black sci-fi character, which he probably isn't.
Click to expand...

He could probably go as a white geordi and that would be fine but then you walk into the opposite where you are white washing an otherwise African American character.

Guy probably just relates to Geordi well because on a ship with 1500 people Geordi was the one guy who couldn't get laid. Even Data got some.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
it's not even a little bit dehumanizing to reduce the race of a person to part of a costume choice?

I understand that the guy might just be trying to approximate his favorite character as closely as possible (A wig would probably go much further than taking the time to darken his skin) but it seems a pretty culturally ignorant choice.

Which would, I would think, make talking to the guy a lot more productive than if he actually was simply a racist fan of a black sci-fi character, which he probably isn't.
Click to expand...
The guy clearly put a lot of thought and effort into his costume. It's too bad people are so hung up on creating controversy from things like this. The costume and makeup look classy, and very well done imo.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
Explain?
Click to expand...

it's not blackface, he's dressed up as Geordi, Geordi is black. he want sto be accurate. blackface is about dehumanizing.

FatboyRoberts said:
it's not even a little bit dehumanizing to reduce the race of a person to part of a costume choice?

I understand that the guy might just be trying to approximate his favorite character as closely as possible (A wig would probably go much further than taking the time to darken his skin) but it seems a pretty culturally ignorant choice.

Which would, I would think, make talking to the guy a lot more productive than if he actually was simply a racist fan of a black sci-fi character, which he probably isn't.
Click to expand...

right, he isn't racist.
 
Ryaaan14 said:
The guy clearly put a lot of thought and effort into his costume. It's too bad people are so hung up on creating controversy from things like this. The costume and makeup look classy, and very well done imo.
Click to expand...

It's not "creating" controversy. It's controversial. White people making themselves up to look like black people, even when they're not trying to mock black people, is a controversial thing.

And on a technical level - his make up is spotty/blotchy, and the costume is ill-fitting. It's not "classy" at all. But it's a convention - I'm sure there's worse.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
It's not "creating" controversy. It's controversial. White people making themselves up to look like black people, even when they're not trying to mock black people, is a controversial thing.

And on a technical level - his make up is spotty/blotchy, and the costume is ill-fitting. It's not "classy" at all. But it's a convention - I'm sure there's worse.
Click to expand...
Yep. It's all relative.
 
cheststrongwell said:
Only a douche bag would get onto this guy.
Click to expand...

Note that I'm not asking "Would you angrily stomp up to the dude and thrash him verbally," I'm asking "would you talk to this guy about why he chose to color his face?"

Not only would some of you apparently not do this, you would get upset at the idea someone WOULD do it. I'm curious as to why?

Basically, this ends up becoming a question of whether you think the accuracy of your costume is more important than the potential for pissing people off.
 
fucking dead at some of you in this thread trying so hard to belittle the op. he obviously isn't a racist, but at the end of the day, he shouldn't have put the face paint on. it's as simple as that.

it's STILL BLACKFACE.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
I guess my question is - would you feel weird asking this guy to not do this? It's kinda obvious looking at the guy that he's probably not racist, just really, really culturally ignorant. Or maybe he simply doesn't care. I don't know. But would you approach him and take the minute or two to talk to him about it, or would you just let him be, shake your head, and get back to enjoying yourself and the convention?
Click to expand...

That's probably it. Someone should tell him that it isn't the smartest thing in the world to do and go on with their life. If he wants to continue after that, whatever strife he encounters is on him, he had been warned.
 
It's a Star Trek costume. Especially in TOS, they didn't really care what they did with skin coloration.

One man was black on the right side with white on the left; the other has white on the right side with black on the left!

You're not letting Star Trek make its point if a non-offensive portrayal gets to you.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
I guess my question is - would you feel weird asking this guy to not do this? It's kinda obvious looking at the guy that he's probably not racist, just really, really culturally ignorant. Or maybe he simply doesn't care. I don't know. But would you approach him and take the minute or two to talk to him about it, or would you just let him be, shake your head, and get back to enjoying yourself and the convention?
Click to expand...

He went out in public in a Starfleet uniform. It's probably safe to assume it's the bolded.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
Note that I'm not asking "Would you angrily stomp up to the dude and thrash him verbally," I'm asking "would you talk to this guy about why he chose to color his face?"

Not only would some of you apparently not do this, you would get upset at the idea someone WOULD do it. I'm curious as to why?

Basically, this ends up becoming a question of whether you think the accuracy of your costume is more important than the potential for pissing people off.
Click to expand...

Honestly, If he was a close friend I might make fun of him for his goofy costume. That's about it. I don't think there is anything insensitive about his costume and I would shake my head at anyone that told him there was. I've never had to deal with racism directed at me though, so I could be totally wrong.
 
Honestly I don't pay attention to male cosplayers unless they have giant accessories or the costume is very well made. Its all about the girls in metal miniskirts and purple wigs.
 
cheststrongwell said:
Honestly, If he was a close friend I might make fun of him for his goofy costume. That's about it. I don't think there is anything insensitive about his costume and I would shake my head at anyone that told him there was.
Click to expand...

So you would say that the accuracy of the costume supercedes the possibility it might rub people wrong?

I think it's safe to assume nobody currently in the thread (myself included) thinks the guy is a racist. Wouldn't that make a conversation with him about his choice to paint his face brown easier rather than harder?

MisterHero said:
It's a Star Trek costume. Especially in TOS, they didn't really care what they did with skin coloration.

One man was black on the right side with white on the left; the other has white on the right side with black on the left!

You're not letting Star Trek make its point if a non-offensive portrayal gets to you.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I agree with that. I'd argue that if you were paying attention to Star Trek's effects on the culture, specifically with the references to the TOS, you should probably be culturally aware enough to realize that going out in public with your face painted brown might perturb some people. The Aliens in "Let That be Your Last Battlefield" were an allegory for racism. This isn't an allegory for anything.
 
effe said:
fucking dead at some of you in this thread trying so hard to belittle the op. he obviously isn't a racist, but at the end of the day, he shouldn't have put the face paint on. it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

Its not that simple.

People need to get over themselves and confront racism when it exists. Not make racism where it isn't. Not aimed at the OP as a point of info.

That's how you defeat racism. You don't defeat it by turning everything into racism. In fact that tends to cause the opposite effect. People get sick as fuck of the racism card being pulled all the time and start not caring.
 
antonz said:
Its not that simple.

People need to get over themselves and confront racism when it exists. Not make racism where it isn't. Not aimed at the OP as a point of info.

That's how you defeat racism. You don't defeat it by turning everything into racism. In fact that tends to cause the opposite effect. People get sick as fuck of the racism card being pulled all the time and start not caring.
Click to expand...
it is that simple. i acknowledged that it wasn't done with ill intent and I didn't call ANYONE a racist. it's still blackface. Wouldn't everyone have known what character he was trying to portray if he didn't use facepaint?

please save it.
 
Where are you all getting your definitions on what is "blackface." I was always under the impression that there is a very specific context of ridicule for it.

Hope none of the "it's blackface" gang saw "White Girls" or enjoyed the Chapelle Show.
 
Byakuya769 said:
Hope none of the "it's blackface" gang saw "White Girls" or enjoyed the Chapelle Show.
Click to expand...

Wait a min - in regards to Chappelle's Show, Dave's coloring himself white was used to perform a specific satirical intent. Plus, that would technically be "Whiteface" you're referring to, which isn't really a thing, being that the racial politics of America have never been such that white people were subjugated by blacks to the point blacks would rather paint a black guy white than hire a white guy.

White Girls was fucking nightmare fuel on top of being shitty comedy.

All of which is sidetracked from the main question I'm asking, which is: Would you have stopped this guy and talked w/ him about what he was doing or no? I'm guessing not only would you not have done that, you likely wouldn't have even made note of him in the first place? Is that a correct read, and if not, why/how?
 
It'd be racist to only let black people dress up as geordi. Thats like having a school play about the wild west and making all the ethnic people indians and all the white people cowboys.
 
I think as has been covered multiple times in here, this is not what you think it is.
If you are offended, well...sorry.
What it IS, is a shining example of people trying to create controversy and something bad where there is nothing at all and everything is all good.
A white person CAN masquerade as someone of another race without it being a bad thing, just as someone of another race can do the same as a white person or another race without it being a bad thing.
 
effe said:
lol. wonderful argument.
Click to expand...

OP is cool, you are being pretty aggressive. Jesus.

FatboyRoberts said:
So you would say that the accuracy of the costume supercedes the possibility it might rub people wrong?

I think it's safe to assume nobody currently in the thread (myself included) thinks the guy is a racist. Wouldn't that make a conversation with him about his choice to paint his face brown easier rather than harder?
Click to expand...

I guess just having a discussion with him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but sometimes you are just going to rub people the wrong way.
 
FatboyRoberts said:
Wait a min - in regards to Chappelle's Show, Dave's coloring himself white was used to perform a specific satirical intent. Plus, that would technically be "Whiteface" you're referring to, which isn't really a thing, being that the racial politics of America have never been such that white people were subjugated by blacks to the point blacks would rather paint a black guy white than hire a white guy.

White Girls was fucking nightmare fuel on top of being shitty comedy.

All of which is sidetracked from the main question I'm asking, which is: Would you have stopped this guy and talked w/ him about what he was doing or no? I'm guessing not only would you not have done that, you likely wouldn't have even made note of him in the first place? Is that a correct read, and if not, why/how?
Click to expand...

Um, the satirical intent being?

I hate to be in the position of making this statement, but you're basically just arguing for specifics acts of racism to only apply to black people. And that's bullshit and hurts actual discussion of actual racism.

I would have nothing to say about a guy applying mild brown make-up to try and look like geordi la forge.

The context of blackface is exaggerated characteristics and cultural ridicule, this has neither.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

One of the planet’s biggest cities is sinking so rapidly it’s visible from space
12
453
winjer replied
The Walking Dead: Dead City | Season 3 Teaser
4
254
JimmyF replied
Spock and the Space hippies
4
384
BillMaxwell replied
The Rewatchables Podcast does 2001: A Space Odyssey and Steven Spielberg is their guest
9
258
DKehoe replied
Star City (For All Mankind spinoff) - Official Teaser
23
927
jason10mm replied
Top Bottom