OK, I may catch hell for this but this has been stuck in my mind for a while now and I felt the need to get other points of views on these somewhat connected issues. Now I'm probably one of the most liberal, progressive, left leaning tree huggers in here, BUT I don't see why people are getting all bent out of shape over these issues.
First, Black/Brown face...….Why is it offensive to use makeup to change your appearance? Now I understand if the intent is to offend, but are we really to a place that if my kid or teenager wants to go to a party dressed as someone they admire or want to emulate, that they can't because they're not of the same skin color? Progressives are just fine with men dressing as women and visa versa (drag queens and kings) Why can't the same tolerance be afforded to people who sincerely just want to dress up as a favorite celebrity who happens to be of another pigmentation? Where was the outrage when Hollywood was making all sorts of movies where white people played persons of color and visa vera. My fellow actors seem somewhat hypocritical when they applaud counter casting (casting against type) then are outraged when a the cast of Fiddler on the roof has now persons of the Jewish Faith in the cast. my take as a director is--you put the best person in the role (most talented) as a producer-the person who'll generate ticket sales. I just don't understand the anger this generates (seems very selective outrage-y to me)
and now for Cultural appropriation. I just don't get the outrage...….If we as progressives can accept someone who identifies as a different gender, why not a different culture...…..what's the issue? we're a melting pot, we are exposed to other cultures daily--what if we feel more at home in a culture not our own? What if that culture brings a peace or comfort we don't find within our own? Again, I don't see why people are making this stuff into somethings it's not.
To clarify, if someone is blackfacing to ridicule or belittle it's one thing--to go to a party dressed up as someone who happens to be a different pigment than your own is another I don't find offensive. Same thing with cultural appropriation pretending to be something your not to take advantage of something or someone isn't cool, but finding yourself identifying with another culture more than your own is fine.
I'd appreciate anyone who thinks these things are totally unacceptable explaining their point of view or pointing out what I'm apparently missing.
First, Black/Brown face...….Why is it offensive to use makeup to change your appearance? Now I understand if the intent is to offend, but are we really to a place that if my kid or teenager wants to go to a party dressed as someone they admire or want to emulate, that they can't because they're not of the same skin color? Progressives are just fine with men dressing as women and visa versa (drag queens and kings) Why can't the same tolerance be afforded to people who sincerely just want to dress up as a favorite celebrity who happens to be of another pigmentation? Where was the outrage when Hollywood was making all sorts of movies where white people played persons of color and visa vera. My fellow actors seem somewhat hypocritical when they applaud counter casting (casting against type) then are outraged when a the cast of Fiddler on the roof has now persons of the Jewish Faith in the cast. my take as a director is--you put the best person in the role (most talented) as a producer-the person who'll generate ticket sales. I just don't understand the anger this generates (seems very selective outrage-y to me)
and now for Cultural appropriation. I just don't get the outrage...….If we as progressives can accept someone who identifies as a different gender, why not a different culture...…..what's the issue? we're a melting pot, we are exposed to other cultures daily--what if we feel more at home in a culture not our own? What if that culture brings a peace or comfort we don't find within our own? Again, I don't see why people are making this stuff into somethings it's not.
To clarify, if someone is blackfacing to ridicule or belittle it's one thing--to go to a party dressed up as someone who happens to be a different pigment than your own is another I don't find offensive. Same thing with cultural appropriation pretending to be something your not to take advantage of something or someone isn't cool, but finding yourself identifying with another culture more than your own is fine.
I'd appreciate anyone who thinks these things are totally unacceptable explaining their point of view or pointing out what I'm apparently missing.
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