Blackface

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{{cquote|Now, Al Jolson was most famous for these blackface numbers – the kind of politically incorrect stuff they’d flog you for today.|||Ozzy Osbourne, ''I am Ozzy'' (2010)}}
'''Blackface''' is a style of theatrical makeup in which a white person's face is painted to portray a black person, which is a patently [[racism|racist]] caricature of Black people. The terms "'''redface'''" or "'''yellowface'''" have also applied when a white actor portrays a [[Native American]] or [[Asia|East Asian]] character, respectively. These portrayals are types of '''ethnic impersonation'''.

==Minstrel shows==
[[Image:Bert Williams blackface 2.jpg|thumb|left|Vaudevillian Bert Williams in typical minstrel blackface, 1921]]

Blackface was popularized by "minstrel shows", a regular feature of nineteenth century vaudeville and circus entertainment in the [[USA]], in which white performers in blackface performed songs or comical scenes, often promoting various negative "darkie" [[stereotype]]s.  "Jim Crow" was an archetypal minstrel character dating from this era, after whom the term [[Jim Crow laws]] (for enforced racial [[segregation]] in the [[the South|Southern states]]) is named.  Some minstrel shows included [[African American]] performers, wearing the same blackface makeup as white performers: the audience may well have been unaware which minstrels were actually black.

"Tom shows", plays and performances adapted from Harriet Beecher Stowe's [[abolition]]ist novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'', were another popular blackface act from this era.  Like Stowe's novel, Tom shows promoted an anti-slavery message but included many of the racist stereotypes common to minstrel shows and other popular depictions of black people.

One historian, Thaddeus Russell, argues in a piece attempting to defend blackface that it would be a mistake to characterize the performances as expressions of mere hostility to African Americans; he believes that white audiences found something enviable in the depiction of the carefree lives of slaves: 

{{quotebox|It should therefore be no surprise that, though they certainly never expressed a wish to be enslaved, the white men who invented blackface performance often sang of a wish to be like slaves. Their songs celebrated the free, joyous, and sensual movements of slave dances — which were condemned by Victorian moralists as barbarous — and the slaves' relaxed attitudes toward love and work.<ref>Thaddeus Russell, "[http://reason.com/archives/2012/10/13/in-defense-of-blackface In Defense of Blackface]", reason.com.</ref>}}

There are parallels here with the [[Western world]]'s fascination with orientalism, the "Arabesque", the "[[noble savage]]" and other condescending [[romanticism|romanticizations]] of non-white peoples and cultures during the nineteenth century.

Minstrel shows declined in popularity during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, though the style of makeup and mannerisms they had popularized continued to appear in popular entertainment, including early cinema. A notable example is the extremely negative portrayals of African Americans by blacked up Caucasians in the 1915 silent epic ''[[The Birth of a Nation]]'', a [[Racialism|racialist]] portrayal of American history that explicitly glorified the [[Ku Klux Klan]].

Al Jolson was the most famous minstrel performer of the twentieth century, often performing in blackface, including scenes in the 1927 movie ''The Jazz Singer'', one of the first feature films recorded with sound.  Though Jolson is often retrospectively associated with the hateful connotations of most blackface minstrel acts, and his performances perpetuated many of the traditional stereotypes, he was regarded by contemporaries (and many music historians) as very sympathetic to black people and influential in popularizing black (or black-influenced) music.

As minstrel shows were a key influence on early animated projects, blackface influenced the design of many cartoon characters, particularly in the prevalence of white gloves that were common among blackface performers (which admittedly help with distinguishing the characters' hands in a black and white medium).<ref>[https://theartsandeducation.com/2025/09/25/white-gloves-and-blackface/ White Gloves and Blackface], Adam Zucker, ''Artfully Learning'' 25 September 2025</ref> [[The Walt Disney Company|Mickey Mouse]] himself appeared in blackface in the 1933 short ''{{wpl|Mickey's Mellerdrammer||'',}} while {{wpl|Bosko||,}} the first main character of what would later become ''Looney Tunes'', was a blackface caricature.

==Blacking up in film and television==
White actors have often used brown makeup to change their appearance when playing a black person, or person of another dark-skinned ethnicity.  This makeup is more realistic and less exaggerated than the cartoonish blackface of the minstrel era, but tends to be regarded as racist and unacceptable due to the blackface tradition, especially in recent decades with increased concerns about [[political correctness]].

For example, Billy Crystal's blackface impression of Sammy Davis Jr. at the 2012 Oscars provoked widespread controversy and condemnation, although he has performed a Sammy Davis routine regularly since the 70s, which had usually been well received.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-crystal-oscars-blackface-criticism-sammy-davis-295558 "Billy Crystal’s Oscar-Night Sammy Davis Jr. Impersonation Draws “Blackface” Criticisms"], ''The Hollywood Reporter'', February 27, 2012.</ref>

The BBC sketch show ''Little Britain'' has often included white comedians (Matt Lucas and David Walliams) blacking up to play outrageous black characters, though strangely it has received relatively little negative criticism for this. Despite this, Lucas has expressed remorse at "play[ing] black characters" and making jokes about [[transvestites]] in the [[politically incorrect]] series, adding "Society has moved on a lot since then, and my own views have evolved."<ref>Jane, Graham (October 2, 2017). [https://www.bigissue.com/interviews/letter-to-my-younger-self/matt-lucas-little-britain-cruel/ "Matt Lucas: 'Little Britain was cruel'"]. ''Big Issue''. Retrieved October 8, 2017.</ref> The tradition actually lasted longer in the UK than in the US, occurring on primetime TV, most famously in ''{{wpl|The Black and White Minstrel Show}}'' (which ended in 1978)<ref name="Black_and_white_minstrel">{{Cite book|last=Strausbaugh |first=John|year=2006
|title=Black Like You: Blackface, Whiteface, Insult and Imitation in American Popular Culture|page = 62|url=https://books.google.com/?id=l5TH3Smr8FcC|publisher=Jeremy P. Tarcher / Penguin|isbn=1-58542-498-6}}</ref> and in ''{{wpl|Are You Being Served?||'s}}'' Christmas specials in 1976<ref>"The Father Christmas Affair". ''Are You Being Served?''. Series 4. Episode 7. 1976-12-6. BBC1.</ref> and finally in 1981.<ref> "Roots?". ''Are You Being Served?''. Series 8. Episode 8. 1981-12-24. BBC1.</ref> These were done in typically minstrelsy fashion (''Are You Being Served?'' probably serving as a parody for ''The Black and White Minstrel Show'' in 1981). Although these programmes were popular at the time, in hindsight they are generally considered an embarrassment on the BBC's reputation in recent years. 

[[File:White chicks 01.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|"Whiteface"]]To make excuses for blackface today, people like to bring in the 2004 comedy film ''{{wpl|White Chicks||,}}'' in which two black male characters disguised themselves as white girls; this would appear to be aiming at an entirely different genre of humor. The film was considered one of the worst produced that year.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060504052511/http://tvplex.go.com:80/buenavista/ebertandroeper/050117.html Ebert and Roeper's worst of 2004]. Archived from tvplex.go.com, 2006.</ref> The 2008 action comedy ''Tropic Thunder'' features Robert Downey, Jr. in a blackface role; in the film he portrays a Method actor whose total identification with his role, that of an African-American soldier, is milked for comedy. There is also the 1961 book (and 1964) movie ''Black Like Me'', about the experiences of a white man who darkened his skin temporarily with dermatological dyes and recorded his experiences in the American South, which would also seem unrelated.<ref>{{wpa|Black Like Me}}</ref>

The estate of Nina Simone has called for a boycott of the 2016 biopic ''Nina'', which stars Zoe Saldana, in dark makeup, afro wig, and prosthetic nose.<ref>Jennifer Brett, "[http://buzz.blog.ajc.com/2016/03/04/outrage-over-zoe-saldana-being-cast-as-nina-simone-sparks-boycott-effort/ Outrage over Zoe Saldana being cast as Nina Simone sparks boycott effort]", ''Atlanta Buzz'', March 4, 2016.</ref><ref>Caitlin Gibson, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/03/02/the-nina-simone-biopic-hits-theaters-next-month-her-daughter-hopes-fans-stay-home/ The Nina Simone biopic hits theaters next month; her daughter hopes fans stay home]", ''Washington Post'', March 2, 2016.</ref> Simone's brother Sam Waymon was also highly critical of the film's casting and of the portrayal of Simone's openly gay assistant Clifton Henderson as her love interest.<ref>Showbiz News, "[https://www.sundayworld.com/style/showbiz/zoe-saldana-blasted-by-nina-simone-s-brother Zoe Saldana blasted by Nina Simone's brother]", ''Sunday World'', March 5, 2016.</ref>

==Blackface traditions in Europe==
Blackface is or has been used in various performing and carnival traditions throughout Europe.  For example, some British Morris dances are traditionally performed with one or all of the dancers' faces painted black.  Origins of these traditions are not always clear, with suggested explanations including:

* some may have originated, like minstrel acts, as portrayals of black people
* the blackface performer may represent something else, such as a demon, a crow, or the darkness of night
* smearing faces with soot served as symbolic masking which allowed those 'masked' to disregard some social conventions (e.g. allowed sons of lower-status families to dance with daughters of higher-status ones), the resemblance to black people being coincidental
* some recent Western English traditions were derived from black American sailors, who used to busk at taverns performing dances for drinks while their ships were taking shelter from storms in small rural ports. Locals took to trying to re-create these spectacles after developments in shipping meant that transatlantic ships no longer made such unscheduled calls.{{fact}}
[[file:Sinterklaas zwarte piet.jpg|right|thumb|165px|Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet.]]
===Zwarte Piet===
Zwarte Piet ("Black Pete") is a character in [[Netherlands|Dutch]] folklore, who is a sidekick to Saint Nicholas ([[Santa Claus]]).  In St Nicholas's Day celebrations (held in early December, as a separate festival from Christmas), Zwarte Piet is portrayed by performers or children in blackface, often (though not always) as a minstrel-like caricature of black people.  This tradition is increasingly condemned by the international community but remains widely popular in the Netherlands, despite the annual controversy over whether to scrap or sanitise the tradition (the Dutch version of the "[[War on Christmas]]").<ref>{{wpa|Zwarte Piet}}</ref>

==Rachel Dolezal controversy==
[[File:Rachel Dolezal at Spokane Rally cropped 2.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Rachel Dolezal in 2015]]
The 2015 controversy surrounding former [[NAACP]] president Rachel Dolezal's racial identity sparked debate on the nature and politics of race. After appearing in public with a person claiming to be her African-American father, her biological parents in [[Montana]] outed her as of white European origin. She maintains that she identifies as "black" (not African-American), an identity she's lived since 2007.<ref>Ashley Fantz, Ray Sanchez, Faith Karimi and Dana Ford, "[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/us/washington-rachel-dolezal-naacp/ NAACP leader resigns; accused of lying about race]", CNN, June 15, 2015</ref> It was also revealed she tanned her skin and wore Afro wigs and braids.<ref>Tashara Jones, "[http://nypost.com/2015/06/16/the-blackest-thing-about-rachel-dolezal-is-her-thousand-dollar-hair/ The blackest thing about Rachel Dolezal is her thousand-dollar hair]", ''NY Post'', June 16, 2015</ref> Ezra Dolezal, her adopted African-American brother, claims what she is doing is analogous to "blackface."<ref>Ray Sanchez and Ben Brumfield, "[http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/13/us/washington-rachel-dolezal-adopted-brother/index.html Rachel Dolezal's appearance is 'blackface,' brother says]", CNN, June 15, 2015</ref>

==Yellowface==
[[File:Starring Mickey Rooney.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi]]
[[File:Crowder yellowface.jpg|thumb|right|165px|[[Steven Crowder]] showing that this is still a problem in ''2019''<ref>[https://www.weareresonate.com/2019/09/racist-host-steven-crowder-mocks-asian-stereotypes-on-twitter/ Racist host Steven Crowder mocks Asian stereotypes on Twitter], Resonate, 30 September 2019</ref>]]
Yellowface is the somewhat parallel phenomenon of white performers being made up to portray [[Chinese]], [[Japanese]] or other East Asian people in theatre, television and film. Often, these yellowface performances both reinforce and embody all negative stereotypes — mono-syllabic accent, slanted eyes, buck teeth, small stature, and untrustworthy demeanour. As with blackface, it varies from relatively light (and usually unconvincing) changes of appearance, such as Joseph Wiseman's portrayal of half-Chinese villain ''Dr. No'' in the James Bond film of the same name (1962), to more grotesque and offensive portrayals, such as Mickey Rooney's portrayal of Mr Yunioshi, Audrey Hepburn's Japanese neighbour in ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961); in the case of the latter Rooney himself said he never meant harm, while the director acknowledged it was a mistake but that the bell couldn't be unrung. The decision to cast John Wayne as Genghis Khan in ''The Conqueror'' (1956) is widely considered to be one of the worst casting decisions ever made.<ref>Barry Monash, ''The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors'', (Hal Leonard, 2003; ISBN 1-55783-551-9), p. 773</ref><ref>[http://youtu.be/wuTWe2OLdco ''The Conqueror''] (1956; Howard Hughes)</ref>

Recurring yellowface characters in early and mid-twentieth-century cinema (played by various white actors) have included Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan (arguably a positive yellowface role) and the villain Dr Fu Manchu, one of the most popular examples of the exotic [[Yellow Peril|Asian villain]] trope. The 1987 {{wpl|Powell-Peralta}} skate video ''{{wpl|The Search for Animal Chin}}'' has the titular character played by a white actor ({{wpl|C. R. Stecyk III|Craig R. Stecyk III}}) and utilised the usual mystical East Asian stereotypes. Despite this (as well as the fact that they used faux-Asian fonts on the opening titles and cover art), the ''Animal Chin'' mythos did not attract much in the way of controversy – the ''Animal Chin'' shirt can be seen in works as recent as ''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4''.

The 2012 film ''Cloud Atlas'' garnered substantial criticism over its use of yellowface, despite the fact that the film uses yellowface to promote a [[New Age]]-like "we are all one" sort of message, precisely the opposite of the othering and stereotypes the most offensive works promoted. The directors responded by stating that they "need to cast critical eyes toward these things."<ref> [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/cloud-atlas-yellowface-wachowski_n_2017624.html 'Cloud Atlas' & Yellowface: Wachowskis' Film Slammed By Group For Lack Of Asian Actors], ''[[The Huffington Post]]''</ref> 

Important criticism of ''Cloud Atlas'' was directed at the casting of a white actor to play a substantial Asian role, while the actor's other character was a white man who spent much of his time sick in bed. The use of white male actors to portray people of color (POC) betrayed a bias in Hollywood that undermined the film's message. White male actors are the default, while all women and POC are interchangeable.

Another example of yellowface is the 1982 Australian film ''The Year of Living Dangerously'', in which a white actress Linda Hunt, was cast as male Chinese photographer Billy Kwan. To her credit, she won an Oscar for her performance. No Asians were auditioned for the role, despite the story being set in Indonesia and filmed in the Philippines.

Cameron Crowe's ''Aloha'' uses Yellowface as Emma Stone, a white woman, was cast, as a half Asian woman.

Of course, CGI will help with this: for the Hollywood adaptation of ''Ghost in the Shell'', they tried using computer graphics to make their white actors "look Asian".<ref>http://screencrush.com/ghost-in-the-shell-whitewashing-scarlett-johnasson-vfx/</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Billy Jack]]'', and the use of redface
*''[[The Birth of a Nation]]''
*[[Fakelore#In search of the primitive|Native American impostors]] in [[fakelore]]
*Congresswoman [[Anna Paulina Luna]]
*[[George Santos]] — falsely claimed to be a variety of ethnicities to get elected to the [[US Congress]]
*[[Uncle Tom]]
*Senator [[Elizabeth Warren]]
*[[Whitewashing in film]]
*"[[TERF glossary#Womanface|Womanface]]", a TERF term comparing trans women to blackface actors, claiming that trans women reduce womanhood to a costume

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Racism]] 
[[Category:Stereotypes]]
[[Category:Folklore]]

Categories: Racism, Stereotypes, Folklore