RE: Is blackface always offensive?
April 20, 2019 at 9:00 pm
(This post was last modified: April 20, 2019 at 9:04 pm by outtathereligioncloset.)
I guess it's been maybe ten years ago or so, we went to a swing dance Halloween costume party. The costume contest was about midway through the dance. So there is a guy there (one of the youngish, attractive regulars there) dressed in a long white linen Nehru jacket and pants. And a VERY nice turban. He was white but had applied brown makeup to his face, neck, hands.
For hours before the costume judging people tried to guess who/what he was. Many thought he would pull out a flute and sit down cross legged in front of a basket of fake snakes. Others guessed Hadji from the old Jonny Quest cartoon.
Finally the judging began and the DJ went around the room with a microphone and asked people "who are you?" even when it seemed obvious. Got to him and in a PERFECT Indian accent he said "I am Rajesh, your help desk operator..."
People FELL on the floor laughing, myself included. I honestly don't think there was one single person there who cried racism or was at all offended by it, including the "brown face" makeup. He absolutely nailed it.
Honestly, is there anybody here who has never spoken to Rajesh, your help desk operator? I know I have.
For hours before the costume judging people tried to guess who/what he was. Many thought he would pull out a flute and sit down cross legged in front of a basket of fake snakes. Others guessed Hadji from the old Jonny Quest cartoon.
Finally the judging began and the DJ went around the room with a microphone and asked people "who are you?" even when it seemed obvious. Got to him and in a PERFECT Indian accent he said "I am Rajesh, your help desk operator..."
People FELL on the floor laughing, myself included. I honestly don't think there was one single person there who cried racism or was at all offended by it, including the "brown face" makeup. He absolutely nailed it.
Honestly, is there anybody here who has never spoken to Rajesh, your help desk operator? I know I have.
Where are we going and why am I in this hand basket?
