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[theignoramus]

Not to say many of the claims weren't true, but there was a significant amount of embellishment as to the cruelty, like German soldiers throwing babies into the air and catching them on their bayonets, IIRC. But children did really get their hands cut off in the Belgian Congo for harvesting insufficient rubber, and the number of civilians killed by Belgian actions in the Congo was greater by several magnitudes as far as I'm aware.

And then they screwed the Congolese again by arranging the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Belgiums history in the Congo is like something out of a horror story. It's Stalin-esque.

 

[deejay8595]

This entire week has been insane in regards to race related incidents....

 

[Chariot]

Fuck him, and I mean atleast Republicans know enough to Dog Whistle.

Eh, you can't bring a political party of the USA in this. The countries of Europe have a lot less black people which means there is relatively little organized resistance against such things. Although things do get shaken up a bit and hopefully changed soon.
Tge very fact that we hear about it and the countroversy is already a good start.

And then they screwed the Congolese again by arranging the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Belgiums history in the Congo is like something out of a horror story. It's Stalin-esque.

Every Europaen country is stained some way or the other. Thousands of years of blood soaked history leave no good resumes.

 

[kurisu1974]

Do they just not give a fuck? What's the deal here. Is the black population there so small that they don't think it matters? Do they think it's for funsies?

So many questions. I'd like to hear from a Belgian person.

I can only speak for myself, and I actually don't give a fuck.

We're pretty jaded over here yo.

 

[Dascu]

Do they just not give a fuck? What's the deal here. Is the black population there so small that they don't think it matters? Do they think it's for funsies?

So many questions. I'd like to hear from a Belgian person.

Ignorance towards blackface as something inherently negative or racist. Same as with Zwarte Piet. It's traditions that started back in the old days where it was making fun of Africans, but nowadays it's completely removed from that and seen as harmless. We don't have a big enough black community to really speak up against it and raise awareness either.

 

[bchamba]

The Belgian foreign minister should

 

[PJV3]

Youre not a Euro leader if youre not into blackface, just ask Dave

That looks worse than blackface, they look like Morris dancers, I fucking hate morris dancers.

 

[TedNindo]

Belgian here. Cultural context etc... etc...

Highly offensive in the US. Nobody gives any fucks in Belgium. Blackface is an unknown concept here. Black Pete, not as racially sensative yada yada yada.

 

[Jinaar]

The girl in the back is clearly not impressed.

 

[Earthpainting]

I hadn't heard of this tradition until this year, but as someone with Congolese heritage, I'd prefer if they revamped this charity parade asap. This is apparently the third children's annual tradition this country has that involves blackface, and the origins all come from roughly the same time it seems. I get that colonialism felt a bit magical because it increased the scope of their known world, and inspired discovery and untapped potential. That might seem like a good idea to base things of back home, but it's well documented by now how stuff went down back in the actual colonies. When they forcefully booted Leopold the second off the throne, they should have changed these things right there and then when they were still disgusted and outraged. Right now we are stuck with people who have all sorts of fuzzy childhood feelings that reference a dark chapter in European and African history, but are both blind and ignorant on it.

 

[DrFunk]

Belgian here. Cultural context etc... etc...

Highly offensive in the US. Nobody gives any fucks in Belgium. Blackface is an unknown concept here. Black Pete, not as racially sensative yada yada yada.

mmhmm

 

[FlyingSaucer]

Lol at the outrage. It isn't the KKK parading, people.

 

[G.ZZZ]

I hadn't heard of this tradition until this year, but as someone with Congolese heritage, I'd prefer if they revamped this charity parade asap. This is apparently the third children's annual tradition this country has that involves blackface, and the origins all come from roughly the same time it seems. I get that colonialism felt a bit magical because it increased the scope of their known world, and inspired discovery and untapped potential. That might seem like a good idea to base things of back home, but it's well documented by now how stuff went down back in the actual colonies. When they forcefully booted Leopold the second off the throne, they should have changed these things right there and then when they were still disgusted and outraged. Right now we are stuck with people who have all sorts of fuzzy childhood feelings that reference a dark chapter in European and African history, but are both blind and ignorant on it.

Americans still celebrate Columbus Day... Nowadays those kinds of things are completely disconnected from their actual origins.

 

[TCRS]

is there anything not embarassing about belgium? the whole countries existence is a joke.

 

[FlammableD]

That looks worse than blackface, they look like Morris dancers, I fucking hate morris dancers.

That is the context here, yes. The paint is some sort of traditional morris dancing thing. I don't know the origin,

 

[spindashing]

The girl in the back is clearly not impressed.

Real recognize real. She's good.

Lol at the outrage. It isn't the KKK parading, people.

And here we go...

 

[CadetMahoney]

The girl in the back is clearly not impressed.

her face:

 

[Skinpop]

Fucking Belgium. Every time I see this country mentioned on here it's always about this same shit. Why do they have such an obsession with painting their skin black? This is the same country that has a fucking statue of one of the biggest mass murderers in history. Dude was so bad even other colonial governments thought he was crazy.

belgium has always been the worst of us. after all its the country of devil worship, pedophilia and cannibalism.

 

[TalonJH]

It doesn't even bother me anymore. It's their country, I guess. I just want to know why "Blackface" is always jet black. Even in american, It's always jet black. I don't know any black people that are actually...black in color.

 

[spindashing]

Belgian here. Cultural context etc... etc...

Highly offensive in the US. Nobody gives any fucks in Belgium. Blackface is an unknown concept here. Black Pete, not as racially sensative yada yada yada.

I can't ever understand this. It doesn't even register in the back of minds that, maybe dressing up as an exaggerated caricature of black people would offend people?

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Lol at the outrage. It isn't the KKK parading, people.

oh ok

 

[la_briola]

Well, Belgium is also a country which forced children to take mandatory religion class, until earlier this month.

 

[Dascu]

I can't ever understand this. It doesn't even register in the back of minds that, maybe dressing up as an exaggerated caricature of black people would offend people?

It's not seen as an exaggerated caricature of black people.

Well, Belgian is also a country which forced children to take mandatory Religion class, until earlier this month.

This is not really true.

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

It's not seen as an exaggerated caricature of black people.


This is not really true.

If it's not a caricature of black people then what is it?

 

[la_briola]

It's not seen as an exaggerated caricature of black people.


This is not really true.

So is this an onion article? http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20150312_01575883

I quote: "Parents who do not want their child to receive religious instruction or ethics in public education, which can now simply refuse. This was decided by the Constitutional Court on Thursday afternoon."

Date: 03/12/2015

 

[Dascu]

If it's not a caricature of black people then what is it?

Oh, it is a caricature of black people. But it's not recognized as that anymore. Basically we have forgotten the origin of it and the vast majority of people think it's just people dressed funny with black make-up. Same with Zwarte Piet (where the black make-up is thought to be soot from climbing chimneys).

So is this an onion article? http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20150312_01575883

No, but 'Religion class' in Belgium is just about as far removed from religion as possible. It's general philosophy that looks at morality and belief choices all over the world. We are still the most atheist 'Catholic' country in the world.

 

[spindashing]

It's not seen as an exaggerated caricature of black people.

The underlined and bolded part of the OP says otherwise, though.

Oh, it is a caricature of black people. But it's not recognized as that anymore. Basically we have forgotten the origin of it and the vast majority of people think it's just people dressed funny with black make-up. Same with Zwarte Piet (where the black make-up is thought to be soot from climbing chimneys).

That seems even worse...

 

[Dascu]

The underlined and bolded part of the OP says otherwise, though.

Alright alright, let me rephrase: The majority does not recognize it as a racist charicature. There was even a statement by the Anti-racism director here in support of this tradition, saying that it has lost all racist connotation and meaning.

I'm not saying I agree with that, and I do believe that they should get rid of it, because it clearly is insulting.

Please don't misunderstand, I was just replying to your original question why people do not react to a racist caricature. The answer is that most people do not realize it is a racist caricature in the first place.

 

[Oersted]

Belgian here. Cultural context etc... etc...

Highly offensive in the US. Nobody gives any fucks in Belgium. Blackface is an unknown concept here. Black Pete, not as racially sensative yada yada yada.

Receipts? And dude, unawareness is always part of the problem.

 

[Sub_Level]

While we're on the subject, what do you all think about the film White Chicks?

Is it the same thing? Is it different?

 

[maquiladora]

Disgusting. Any other normal country and he'd be fired the very next day.

Get your shit together Belgium.

 

[FloatingDivider]

Sounds like Belgium alright. Closet racism is a huge thing here. I can't believe how many times I've heard the I'm not racist but... uttered by people over here. Even if they're not racist on purpose they'll be racist assholes out of sheer idiocy. Furthermore the average Belgian probably either doesn't know shit about the atrocities commited in congo or will have a very dismissive attitude about it.

 

[pants]

Belgian Foreign Minister

Seems he needs more training on foreign cultures

 

[PJV3]

That is the context here, yes. The paint is some sort of traditional morris dancing thing. I don't know the origin,

Actually, looking into it there are possible links to racism, moorish dancing, to go niggering etc. At least I have a logical reason for hating the cunts now.

 

[spindashing]

Alright alright, let me rephrase: The majority does not recognize it as a racist charicature. There was even a statement by the Anti-racism director here in support of this tradition, saying that it has lost all racist connotation and meaning.

I'm not saying I agree with that, and I do believe that they should get rid of it, because it clearly is insulting.

Please don't misunderstand, I was just replying to your original question why people do not react to a racist caricature. The answer is that most people do not realize it is a racist caricature in the first place.

I never said that you fall under the categories that I am arguing against, and I am glad that you do not agree with that stuff.

It is unfortunate that the history of it all is lost, though. A real shame in this day and age.

While we're on the subject, what do you all think about the film White Chicks?

Is it the same thing? Is it different?

I'll humor you.

“In other civilised countries his political career wouldn’t survive this, but in Belgium he just continues,” she tweeting, adding that: “Nothing’s changed since the days of Leopold.”

She was referring to Belgium’s King Leopold II, who plundered the Congo for more than two decades, running it as his own private factory to produce rubber until 1908, when he was forced to give up control. Millions of Congolese are believed to have died under his rule. The Noirauds association was established in 1876 and their costumes were inspired by the exploration of Africa at the time.

No. It isn't the same.

 

[jimi_dini]

While we're on the subject, what do you all think about the film White Chicks?

And what about this guy doing blackface?

I'm pretty sure I even saw this being used as an avatar on GAF. Why is this blackface okay? Because it's supposed to be funny? I mean this is even an actor from US for christ's sake.

 

[leadbelly]

It doesn't even bother me anymore. It's their country, I guess. I just want to know why "Blackface" is always jet black. Even in american, It's always jet black. I don't know any black people that are actually...black in color.

Well, there are black people in Africa that are extremely dark. Not black, but close to black.

 

[Vitten]

Sounds like Belgium alright. Closet racism is a huge thing here. I can't believe how many times I've heard the I'm not racist but... uttered by people over here. Even if they're not racist on purpose they'll be racist assholes out of sheer idiocy. Furthermore the average Belgian probably either doesn't know shit about the atrocities commited in congo or will have a very dismissive attitude about it.

I dunno, I've never felt much racism here in Belgium against black people. Most of the racism here seems geared towards Islam and the Muslim community as in almost every other European country.

Didier Reynders certainly isn't a racist: he often goes to Congo to oversee help and charity programs and he's not even afraid to citicise Kabila's undemocratic regime.
Guess he just hasn't kept up with the times and the growing worldwide awareness and criticism against local traditions that other cultures find offensive and before the arrival of the internet, nobody in Europe gave two shits about.

 

[Enzom21]

And what about this guy doing blackface?

I'm pretty sure I even saw this being used as an avatar on GAF. Why is this blackface okay? Because it's supposed to be funny? I mean this is even an actor from US for christ's sake.

You're not really this dense right? Did you even watch the movie?! It is satire. It's also not blackface.

 

[TedNindo]

I can't ever understand this. It doesn't even register in the back of minds that, maybe dressing up as an exaggerated caricature of black people would offend people?

Honestly. There will be more said around here about the fact that ran around looking like a complete idiot than the black paint on his face.

 

[Abounder]

Belgian here. Cultural context etc... etc...

Highly offensive in the US. Nobody gives any fucks in Belgium. Blackface is an unknown concept here. Black Pete, not as racially sensative yada yada yada.

Nobody cares in Belgium? You don't say:

It is already a big step that De Morgen has apologized. But an apology is just the beginning. De Morgen isn't racist. What is racist is the society that enables acts of racism to thrive with impunity

Black people in Belgium have no political voice, no economic voice, so in a way society forgets that we exist #Belgium

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...barack-president-racism-racist_n_5020987.html

 

[G.ZZZ]

Disgusting. Any other normal country and he'd be fired the very next day.

Get your shit together Belgium.

Umh no? Only america and canada maybe. Here in europe you see those kind of things regularly and no one ever gave a shit before the internets.

EDIT: same with asian countries. But whatever float your worldviews guys. Continue celebrating columbus day.

 

[TatteredHat]

I'll leave it up to the belgians to decide what they should and shouldn't find offensive.

 

[Infinite]

And what about this guy doing blackface?

I'm pretty sure I even saw this being used as an avatar on GAF. Why is this blackface okay? Because it's supposed to be funny? I mean this is even an actor from US for christ's sake.

While we're on the subject, what do you all think about the film White Chicks?

Is it the same thing? Is it different?

Ho~ boy

 

[TedNindo]

Nobody cares in Belgium? You don't say:

Those pictures are supposed to be sent in by Vladimir Putin. Making putin a racist bastard. Not an actual opinion by the magazine.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Please don't misunderstand, I was just replying to your original question why people do not react to a racist caricature. The answer is that most people do not realize it is a racist caricature in the first place.

That's kind of alarming, given their history with the Congalese up until a century ago. I'm thinking they might be subbing out that part in their history classes...

 

[Slayven]

And what about this guy doing blackface?

I'm pretty sure I even saw this being used as an avatar on GAF. Why is this blackface okay? Because it's supposed to be funny? I mean this is even an actor from US for christ's sake.

You didn't watch the movie did you?

 

[SURGEdude]

Umh no? Only america and canada maybe. Here in europe you see those kind of things regularly and no one ever gave a shit before the internets.

EDIT: same with asian countries. But whatever float your worldviews guys. Continue celebrating columbus day.

You say that like it's a good thing.

 

[studyguy]

Claim "No one cares in this country" guys and just ignore the fact that there were people mentioned in the story itself criticizing the guy from within Belgium? Come on.

 

[AkuMifune]

I'll leave it up to the belgians to decide what they should and shouldn't find offensive.

I'll leave it up to North Korea to decide what is just and unjust for its own people.