There is a memory about an issue that occurred around the
last Halloween holiday (2013). It was an incident that I observed as well as
many others because it was on the news. It was when Julianne Hough put on what
people call “black face”, which is just painting her face black so that she
could represent herself as a black person –keeping in mind she is a white
female. Basically, she was paying homage to Uzo Aduba, who plays “crazy-eyes”
in the Netflix original series called Orange is the New Black. Now, because I
understood what she was doing, my reaction was that I really did not get
offended at all. What I did say was that she must really like the character
“crazy-eyes” to paint her face black. Nevertheless, there were many who found
it offensive and ridiculed her for doing it, although her other friends were
dressed up like some of the other main characters in the television show. Fox
News (2013) states, “that Julianne had tweeted insisting that it was
"never (her) intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any
way," and that she realizes her costume "hurt and offended
people," some weren’t so quick to forgive her. On the other hand, Joan
Duvall-Flynn, President of the Media Area Unit of NAACP of Pennsylvania stated the
current racial tensions in the United States require careful reflection as we
relate to each other. If her behavior is a political statement, she should
explain that and if her behavior is an act of impulsive insensitivity, she
needs, as a public figure, to be more responsible and an apology for such
insensitivity is appropriate" (para. 3-5). I really do not know what
category to put this particular incident in at all because I understood her
intention and I could tell she was not trying to intentionally offend anyone,
which would be put under the category that Dr. Sue calls “racial
microaggression” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).
Now on another note, Nick Cannon, who is black, did the
same thing but he put on “white-face” because he was attempting to promote his
album named “White People Party Music” and his character was named Connor
Smallnut. Now, some people say that it was not as offensive Julianne putting on
“black-face” because it has always being a racial things back in the day. Now,
in my opinion, I felt that Nick Cannon was being racist and should not have
done it. USA Today (2014) states, “On Good Morning America, during an
interview, Nick Cannon said that he knew it would spark controversy, when he
did it” (para. 1). This proves that some people, despite the racist repercussion
of their actions, will do anything to gain publicity. He got what he wanted as
well free advertisement for his album. Neither one of these incidents promote
fairness for the other race.
In conclusion, everyone must strive to mindful of all
actions and how they may affect the next person. No matter if it is to gain
publicity or to pay homage to a person. Each action will have a reaction –good or
bad. I really do not have a definite answer on what would have to change to
turn these two incidents around for greater equity right now. What I do know
that some people feel offended easier than others and that will come from how a
person has had to deal with certain circumstances in their life. If most of their
life was a negative experience, than that is what they will mostly put out into
the world and vice versa. We all need encouragement to make positive choices, while
keeping mind that we all make mistakes –sooner or later.
Reference
Fox News. (2013, Oct. 28). Julianne Hough slammed for donning ‘black face’ Halloween costume. Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/10/28/julianne-hough-slammed-for-donning-black-face-halloween-costume/
Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Microaggressions in everyday life [Video file]. Retrieved October 9, 2014, from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_5572146_1%26url%3D
USA Today. (2014, Mar.
31). Nick Cannon responds to ‘white face’
criticism. Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/03/31/nick-cannon-responds-to-whiteface-criticism/7106779/#
Nakita,
ReplyDeleteThe two incidents you explained goes to show you how many people can see the exact same thing however everyone will perceive the message differently. Because we are such a politically correct society I think if people are in doubt of offending someone whether it be religious, racial, sexual, or gender then they should not do it. Funny how a white person can do something that offends the black race and a black person can do the same exact thing to offend the white race and instead of saying the offensive behavior was wrong no matter who does it, society tries to justify one race over the other. As you pointed out eventually we all make mistakes; mistakes are what help us to learn and grow. It is when we make mistakes and don’t recognize or except that we made a mistake where the problem comes from.
Nakita,
ReplyDeleteI think the putting on of the black face, while she may not have intended to be offensive as an actress Ms Howe forgot that it really is an act of great disrespect toward a people group. I can see how she got focused on the creative side of what she was doing and didn't realize who she was hurting. Because of our discussions and reading in this class I am seeing more and more incidents of micro-aggression and pre-prejudice in many things we market as entertainment. I don't follow many entertainment news stories but I do think we all need to stop and think just what we are communicating to our children by doing this.