White Yalies in blackface reveal racism on campus
Happily walking around in our respective Halloween costumes during this week’s festivities, we were mortified to see several white people whose costumes included blackface. They sought to mimic various black figures and decided that in addition to their garments and props, painting their faces jet black was a great way to complete their costumes. Because we believe many white people do not understand the offensive nature of blackface, the subsequent part of this article will explain it.
Beginning in the late 18th century, white theater performers blackened their skin with burnt...
O my - I am not from America so please forgive me both my writing skills, as well as my possible ignorance of the problem. However, the fact that you completely disregard the possibility that these people are painting themselves to show that there is no difference except for colour, and that in the end colour doesn't matter, is quite shocking to me. This is not intended as an insult, but the one who brings up racial difference is you - you are the one drawing the line between people. Honestly, I do not know about your situation, but it seems to me most people would just not know about this stuff (or is this taught in history lessons in America?). By condemning people who did what they did most likely without bad intent, you yourself show that you remain in the past, instead of trying to improve the here and now.
"...normative assumption of whiteness..."
Nice.
Turnabout is fair play?
People! Why are you so insecure? White guys can do whatever they want with their own faces! They might or might not mean anything! They could, as well, paint them red or purple. Would it mean anything then?? The only thing I want to say to the black guys: relax and get a life!!
Don't get me wrong--I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments you expressed in this article. Blackface is despicable. But as I read, I found myself wondering if you even had an editor look over this piece. All the grammatically awkward sentences, repeated words and phrases, and not-quite-right vocabulary words made me cringe. Imagine my shock when I scrolled down to find that one of the authors WAS an editor. Good lord.