I simply can¡¯t view a nonblack comedian, singer, actor, cosplayer ¡ª even a Halloween reveler ¡ª appropriating or approximating ¡°blackness¡± by donning blackface without wondering what is going through that person¡¯s mind.
Upon seeing it, I¡¯m immediately compelled to devote my mental and/or emotional resources to attempting the impossible: to read that person¡¯s mind and discern intent from the available evidence. Sometimes, I can dismiss it as harmless, or find it forgivably ignorant. Or, I might conclude it¡¯s too problematic to disregard, and address it. But, to not vet it is not an option.
This vetting is not an intellectual exercise. It¡¯s a survival instinct. Because similar dehumanization by a group in power has, throughout history, contributed to an atmosphere that devalues and endangers the lives of a group subject to that power. What I¡¯m saying is, the response to blackface should not always be ¡°This is some racist BS¡± or even to take offense. Blackface is not always ¡°blackface¡°; it is not inherently racist. Everything must be taken into consideration and every effort must be made to be discerning.
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