In the US, there is a history of white performers using blackface to play caricatures of black people, leaning hard on racist ethnic stereotypes. From Wikipedia:

The minstrel show, also called minstrelsy, was an American form of theater developed in the early 19th century.[1] The shows were performed by mostly white actors wearing blackface makeup for the purpose of comically portraying racial stereotypes of African Americans. There were also some African-American performers and black-only minstrel groups that formed and toured. Minstrel shows stereotyped blacks as dimwitted, lazy, buffoonish, cowardly, superstitious, and happy-go-lucky.[2][3] Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people specifically of African descent.

European here, I do understand whats wrong with the picture and Im very sorry.

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In addition to the other comments, we should note that the photo in question is referencing the OJ Simpson murder case, a very high profile and racially charged trial among the public in the U.S.

Same here! And I have the exact same questions as you. I can’t see why that’s racist or disrespectful, but I’d like to hear other points of view.

Because of minstrel shows. These were only really in America, so it’s not part of European culture.

Without seeing the picture, what I can say is that when I go to African countries I dress like the people there because I identify with them.

I think it’s only bad If you mock them.

Why if people paint themselves as if they were people of type X is bad, but when men dress themselves as a women it’s not bad? That’s contradictory.

What might answer your question is that IF in a country people traditionally paint themselves as X to mock X, then the natural reaction would be to classify it negatively.

But in a country or in a time where people do this out of identification, I don’t see it as a problem.

Morals are specific to countries and times, it’s not universal and atemporal

Not an American, I would guess that blackface in particular looks more like a roughly made mock. And then I can see why mocking others based on skin colour can be seen as racist.

I would say that tanning usually looks more natural (even in failed cases), that’s why it would not be seen as racism, in worst case it would look like a person made a laughing stock of themselves in case of poorly applied tanner.

Then again, it is still just a guess, as I am not from the US

It’s racist because it’s racist. It has historically been used in a racist manner, and that’s socially recognized. So, if you do it now, it’s interpreted as racist.

(Much like the swastika is a hate symbol because the swastika is a hate symbol. It has been used as such and now it’s socially recognized as such (even though there’s nothing inherently bad about a bunch of geometric lines (and, in fact, was a positive symbol for the first 5,000 years of its use)).)

Are you asking if coloring your face is generally racist? Or are you asking about that particular photo? If you’re asking about that particular photo and you can’t tell, then idk how you can’t tell

Let’s start with some facts.

Race is a political concept. It has no scientific basis so it’s not possible to declare any given person as white, black or whatever.

On the other hand, it is abundantly obvious from outward appearances that some individuals genetic heritage is geographically rooted. Those differences were used to create the political narrative of racism that justified the exploitation of Africa, America, etc. Among the many colonial-era atrocities were genocide and slavery.

There’s a lot of guilt and shame around this topic for white people, particularly white Americans. I’m not convinced that black people care more about blackface than white people do. I personally don’t have a problem with blackface or whiteface but I wouldn’t do it. There’s not much to gain and I don’t want to upset people. I felt uncomfortable enough dressing up as woman (I’m a European white guy) because I looked ridiculous, dressing as a black woman might be a bridge too far for me.

As a white-passing European:

• People’s skin color is not a costume
• People have different skin colors, you can talk about it there is nothing special about it
• You can disguise as someone without changing your skin color to match theirs. It’s not part of the costume or character, skin is just part of their body as a human

Quick question, why do you think this site is for US people?

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Imo cuz people are too PC (Politically Correct) buthurt lately.

I’d even flip the tables, and call it racist if you won’t allow other races to dress up / admire your own race.

Ofc doing it to make fun / be a dick about other races is not okay.

I’ll take “questions that are never asked in good faith” Alex!