The Blackness . . . Keep, Keep On!

Beyoncé has stirred up controversy and has stepped into the arena of American racist stereotypes known as “Blackface, Happy-go-lucky darky or what some has called the dandified coon.”


For those who are not familiar with Blackface … “Blackface is theatrical makeup used by a performer in order to imitate a Negro.”

Now in the African-American community Blackface stirs up “racially, socially and politically incorrect emotions do to that fact that it appears to be an exaggerated caricature of an African-American person.

“White Blackface performers in the past used burnt cork and later greasepaint or shoe polish to blacken their skin, exaggerate their lips, often wearing woolly wigs, gloves, tailcoats, or ragged clothes to complete the transformations.”

So the burning question that has created much buzz around the world is whether Beyoncé has crossed the line between artistry and/or mockery?

Since I’m such a huge Beyoncé fan I’m somewhat bias yet torn between deciding whether she is paying homage to Nigerian musician and humanitarian Fela Kuti or has exploited African-American culture.

I would like to believe Honey B controversial photo stems from a good place, however, I’m just concerned that some of the readers of L’Officiel Paris March issue may get lost in translation.

Some European fashion titles feel that Blackface is edgy, groundbreaking, provocative, and kickin’ down the door and erasing the boundaries of racism . . . while others feel it is flat-out offensive?

So I ask you is 2011 “Blackface” merely just art, or rebirthing the 1800’s idealistic view of Blackness?

Fela Kuti

Side Bar ~ Yahoo (Eric Carlson)

Beyonce marks the occasion with an homage to Nigerian musician and humanitarian Fela Kuti; Beyonce's husband, Jay-Z, is a producer on the acclaimed Broadway musical "Fela!," based on the icon's life, music and courageous defiance against government corruption. In a statement (via Jezebel), L'Officiel describes the Feli-inspired photo of Beyonce -- sporting blackface, tribal paint and a dress designed by her mom -- as a "return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened."



 

Fela! ~ Musical