Do you think it is ever ok for a white person to dress up as a black person for Halloween?

Question

A friend came up with the idea for my GF and I to dress up as Barack and Michelle Obama for Halloween. One problem, we're white! We both admire and respect them, however the idea of painting or shading my face black made a little alarm go off in my head. Is this ever socially acceptable, even if done a non-stereotypical, tasteful manner?

Answer 1

As you can tell from my avatar, i'm black. Yay me. When i read your predicament i found it absolutely hilarious. No offense or anything. Sorry to tell you but it's not okay. I mean if you showed up at my doorstep and look like Obama... i'd have a good laugh... It is not okay because not only are you white but you are doing it for halloween. Halloween is essentially meant for scary things. What you might imply by doing said thing is say that you are racist and that Obama and his lovely wife are scary. Get what i'm saying. Me on the other hand would love to see how you would make your face brown. Heh. Hope i help you out some.

Answer 2

Totally fine, just make sure you have something that clearly states : VOTE FOR OBAMA!

Or get signs and wave them around.

Answer 3

I don't think so.  I think Al Jolson was the last white guy to be able to pull it off.   Maybe if you could get a Barack Obama mask, while your GF could be McCain or Hillary.  Now that would be funny.

Answer 4

I would say the only way it would be ok is if you had a black friend do white face. ...and keep them very close!!!!!!  

Answer 5

If you were that smart you wouldn't do a stupid thing like that.  I wouldn't even be surprised if someone kicked your dumb azz.

@BABEDOLL, Move your dumb ugly azz away from the computer!

Answer 6

You sound like a smart man. In fact your gut has already told you NOT to do this. At best you will make it home alive. At worst you can expect lot's of dirty looks and worse unsaid thoughts about your moral fiber. There is slight chance that if you encounter the "right" person (s) they may physically harm you.

Black face went out of grace a long time ago. It would be the worst thing you could do. I think you being a respectful person will not feel good doing this.

There is NO tasteful way to do this ... Not even if there won't be a black person for a hundred miles !  

Answer 7

Its ok if you have a mask, but not to paint your face. It is what it is and very disrespectful if you paint you face no matter what you really mean from it.

Answer 8

  I think the rubber masks are being made as I write this answer so if done in a non-steretypical, tasteful manner it's fine..

Answer 9

I don't think that would be right, for a person to dress that way. Its Halloween. And Halloween is meant to dress and have fun. But you need to think about what type of statement you are trying to send.. And how others will take it.  

Answer 10

Sure, its ok.  It would be racist and not politically correct, if you couldn't.

Answer 11

Absolutely not !

Answer 12

Probably if you want your a@# kicked lol

Answer 13

Yeah it's fine!!!

I could see if you were doing it to be negative or make fun of black people but you're doing it because you admire them. Go for it!!

I wanna see pictures :-)

Answer 14

sure then go trick or treating through  Harlem .... that should answer your question!!!!!!!!!

Answer 15

No, never. Unfortunately, because of our racial history in the U.S. many people of color will be offended and you could actually get hurt. You would hate to be out for a good time, only to find your night ruined because your friends and acquaintances have lost respect for you. At the very least someone inevitably will get angry and, if they are of color, may possibly start a fight. Bad idea because of the high risk of offense.

Answer 16

No. I think generally this would be regarded as black face; more over, even though you're coming from a positive place in wanting to dress like Barack and Michelle Obama, people will only see the black face--not the intent behind the costumes.

You could dress up as a donkey and Uncle Sam.  

Answer 17

Whoopi Goldberg dared Ted Danson to appear at a roast for Whoopi in "Black face" at a roast for Whoopi.  They were dating at the time, and he was crucified for it by the press.

It's sad in this society that as as white person you can't emulate someone you admire because of "political correctness" but, no.... it's not socially acceptable to "darken" your face, even if you're doing it in admiration.

Answer 18

No.

Answer 19

Very good question.  My bf is black, and I was going to "buy the beach" and get a major tan so I look at least 1/2 black, and we are both going to dress up as Natives - a tribal hunter and his wife. (like in Apocalypto).  

Another time I dressed up as a hula girl, and used brown werewolf paint to give me a tan.  Everyone told me I looked like I could be black.  So if you do decide to do it, try the werewolf paint!  It's cheap, and 2 tubs should be enough to cover both of you.

I agree with others here that as long as you are PROMOTING them, with signs that show that, and you aren't on a 'bad' side of town, you should be fine!