Over the weekend, Julianne Hough decided that it was totally cool to wear “blackface” for Halloween. She dressed up as the character Crazy Eyes from Orange Is the New Black, a character played by an African-American actress. The sh-tstorm commenced immediately, and by the time Julianne left the Halloween party, she had wiped off most of her “blackface” makeup. She later issued an apology on Twitter. But people are still pissed off. Thus far, I don’t think Uzo Aduba, the actual actress who plays Crazy Eyes, has issued any kind of statement, but another star of the show is speaking out. Laverne Cox, a wonderful transgender actress (who plays Sophia Burset on the show) and LGBT activist has some thoughts:
In case Julianne Hough was wondering, blackface is not the new black. The dancer-turned-actress learned this lesson the hard way when she dressed up as “Crazy Eyes” from Orange Is the New Blackin blackface makeup at a Halloween party on Oct. 25.
Her costume upset many and caused critics to lash out at the former Dancing With the Stars pro. One person slightly more understanding was OITNB star Laverne Cox, the actress who plays Sophia Burset on the popular Netflix show.
The black, transgender activist spoke with Us Weekly about Hough’s costume at 10 Years After The Prime Time Closet – A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater in Hollywood on Oct. 28.
“I wasn’t offended,” she revealed to Us. “I thought it was a shame that she is in this country, that she would wear blackface and not understand the historical implications of that. I don’t think Julianne is making a specific informed choice to comment on blackness. I just think it’s out of this ignorance. That’s really sad.”
But Cox kept it positive, saying Hough was “obviously a fan of our show. I love Crazy Eyes too.”
Hough issued an apology on Twitter shortly after photos of her costume went viral saying, “I am a huge fan of the show Orange is the New Black, actress Uzo Aduba, and the character she has created. It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way. I realize my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologize.”
The hit Netflix drama is currently filming Season 2, and though Cox won’t give away any spoilers, she did tell Us a bit about the future of her popular character.
“I’m having a blast, and I think we’re going to see different shades of Sophia this season that’s exciting for me,” she said. “There’s some really funny stuff and some gut-wrenching stuff.”
I agree with Laverne. “I don’t think Julianne is making a specific informed choice to comment on blackness. I just think it’s out of this ignorance.” Truth. Julianne was attempting some larger statement about race (or racism), she was just ignorant of how stupid her Halloween costume was. And by the way, even though I think Julianne should NOT get a pass on the costume, I think she’s handled the controversy well enough. She issued a specific apology and since then, she’s kept her mouth shut. That should show you that she has a good publicist.
Photos courtesy of WENN, PCN.
Did anyone here hear of the Black Pete (black face) discussion in Holland? Racism here is absolutely out of control.
no, but I remain continually shocked by racist Dutch ppl.
Zwarte Piet has nothing to do with racism. It would be great if people actually informed themselves on the history of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet.
Zwarte Piet has a black/brown face because they’re based on the children who assisted the chimney sweeps centuries ago. They had to go down the inside of the chimney to clean it and when they came out, they were covered in soot, thus having a black/brown face. Sinterklaas looks after them/their souls.
Freya, This is absolutely revisionist lying on your part. Enough said.
Wow, so because I don’t agree with your point of view, you feel the need to call me names? That’s very… unintelligent. But hey, if it makes you feel better, you just go ahead and think that.
I’ll just go on and celebrate Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet, with my friends and family just like I’ve always done if I’m in the Netherlands around that time (I’m only part Dutch). And my little cousin (who’s half black, if you must know) will dress up as Zwarte Piet. Because that’s who he wants to be when he grows up.
Freya, please do some research before you spread this misinformation. Zwarte Piet is a stereotype of a black man, to most Americans instantly recognizable as another branch of the blackface family.
@Lauren: Yeah, it’s really bad here, especially since this discussion has started again. @Freya: No. Just no. Greetings from a black Dutchie.
Not all white Dutch people support zwarte Piet and/ or are racist.
Me and my family haven’t celebrated Sinterklaas for over twenty years, because it is racist.
Originally I was told too that zwarte Piet was a white person with a black face because of being chimney sweeps. However zwarte Piet is also portrayed with very black and very curly hair with big red lips, very much like a stereo-typical black person. Additionally zwarte Piet wasn’t as nice as he is seen now, giving out presents and such. In history zwarte Piet was the bogy man, who, when kids were bad, would kidnap those kids or give them a black coal in stead of a present. If kids were good, Sinterklaas, being white (very much like Father Christmas) kids would receive presents.
Zwarte Piet is so very loved in my country right now. There are about 1000+ Zwarte Pieten compared to just one Sinterklaas. It is the zwarte Pieten (prulal) that do all the work, making the presents and do all the acrobatics to give them out to kids. So I get why the Dutch people defend this tradition, and don’t see it as racist to them/ us it’s a black people giving out the presents. Sinterklaas is still there too, but more as a sponsor.
The Americans and English people have Father Christmas and his elves. This is sort of like the same thing. Father Christmas = Sinterklaas. And I suppose that the elves are the zwarte Pieten. Except that the elves stay on the north pool when Father Christmas delivers the presents by himself, whereas the zwarte Pieten go with Sinterklaas to help deliver the presents (but actually do most of the work).
But it is still based in racism. That’s why I and my family do not support it and haven’t done in many years. We are mostly white btw. And I live in the Bijlmer too by choice.
Also the former poster saying all the Duth white people a**holes? That is racism.
UGH the fact that in 2013 This idiotic, Ignorant stupid shit is still a thing for Halloween and then people still turn around with a “Sorry if you were offended” thing is just so Gross and Awful… Also lets use this as an excuse to stop trying to make this cardboard cut out of a person “happen”?!?
I’m neither black nor American and even I was offended but this stupid people, the only reason she apologized was for the backlash in social media and I even think she did this on purpose not because she’s ignorant although I do think she’s ignorant… I just hope that she disappears soon.
No, she’s ignorant, She did not do anything on purpose.
I’m with you. Neither black, nor American, and I’m horrified that she thought this was okay. Honestly, I think she DID do it for the attention. If she’d dressed up as Crazy Eyes without the blackface, nobody would be talking about her. I think she MIGHT also be ignorant about the blatant issues with the blackface, but I think she KNEW she would be getting attention out of it. However, I tend to wonder how someone who has grown up in a performance industry in America doesn’t know about how terrible black face is, and here I am a 23 year old girl in Nova Scotia who understands the terrible implications.
Erinn
you’ll be surprise the number of americans who aren’t aware of black face
I don’t even know why ppl think only black ppl get offended by this. It’s offensive because of what it represents in US history. Period. All Americans should find it offensive.
Laverne’s right–I wasn’t shocked that Julianne thought she was “honoring” a character in a TV show. I was shocked that she did it and clearly expected to not be criticized. UHHHH…are you that oblivious?? Guess so. Surprise.
What I meant is that coming from a country where there is only one race, the idea of discriminate someone for the color of their skin is non-existent, so it really shocks me when someone does this when your country still fights against race discrimination…I hope I made myself clear this time :p
Negative points for the costume, bonus points for “I realize my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologize” not “If anyone was offended…” Why? Because she *knew* people were offended.
I agree with Laverne as well. Being the 1 of 2 black people at a company of 150+ and an avid cosplayer, I got asked the next morning what I thought. I pretty much said the same thing and then showed them a picture where my husband and I went as Reno and Rude from FFVII. He didn’t darken himself and I didn’t lighten myself. Problem solved.
Or for a better look: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tracyclayton/14-times-people-dressed-as-people-of-other-races-for-hallowe
Why is it ok for the wayan brothers to do a whole movie dressed as white girls? and this isn’t ok?
Google “history of blackface”, educate yourself and then you’ll be able to answer that question for yourself.
Jo I am a white girl and I didn’t find the Wayans bros movie offensive because there is not a centuries long, painful history of people mocking and deriding white girls by putting on a white face. Come on now.
I do find black face offensive because of the history. We are not that far removed from such history. People want to say “it is all in the past, there is no racism now” and that burns me up. I think of it this way- when my father was born he had all his rights intact, in 1952. For my black peers, their parents born in the same time period were second class citizens without voting rights. This is ONE GENERATION ago, that racism was literally in the law books, and people think that doesn’t affect us today? I think you need to reevaluate comparing some silly movie to the history of racial discrimination represented by blackface.
@Patricia
My eldest aunt is in her 50s and she went to segregated schools in Tennessee up until she hit middle school.
@ Jo…are you SERIOUS with this question? Is there a HISTORY of “White Face” in this country.? It’s VERY simple. SKIN COLOR is NOT a costume. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I don’t have the luxury of waking up and painting myself a different color for the day and then washing it…and the hardships that come along with it…off. She and any other person that wants to dress up like a character can do so WITHOUT painting themselves to match the race of said character. For fluck sakes, dig a little deeper and THINK before you ask questions like that.
Jo,
I understand your question. I truly don’t get why people can dress up as any gender or race for Halloween or a costume party unless it is to portray a black celebrity/character. I understand the history of “black face” and obviously agree that was offensive. I don’t believe that a white girl who wants to dress as Beyonce for a Halloween party should be labeled as a racist. That is not the same thing as “black face.” I feel like we are perpetuating racism by continuing to make this such a sensitive issue.
Nobody is “making” it a sensitive issue, it simply IS a sensitive issue for a lot of people. Validate people’s feeling instead of dismissing them as insignificant–that’s how change happens.
Was there some question that she was anything but just stupid? It doesn’t excuse it but I never thought it was meant to be malicious ( I’m not convinced she could spell malicious 😉 ). The girl learned a hard lesson and the idiots defending her showed their own ignorance. Now everyone moves on and hopefully tries to be a little less of an ignorant fool tomorrow.
Yeah, I don’t think she woke up and said “I feel like being totally racist today” ; she was ignorant and lacked the education to know why that costume was so heinous. That said, it doesn’t excuse her behavior (did NO ONE in her circle realize how bad a costume that was?) but I don’t see it coming from a malicious place.
I find it really hard to believe that you could be THIS ignorant…
She knew exactly what she was doing.
This is the most she has been talked about since Seacrest dumped her.
Disgusting.
Exactly.
I totally disagree. I don’t think she had ANY idea that dressing up as a black person and trying to look the part was going to offend anyone. She is in her early 20’s and probably not that bright. I bet she had NO idea what “dressing in black face” even was….ask anyone under 25 why dressing up in black face is particulary offensive….you will get a bunch of “I don’t knows”.
This was not on purpose to be offensive.
You can’t make a sweeping statement like that, as a young person under 25 but over 18 my generation do know that black face is wrong. I don’t think I know anyone my age that thinks thats ok. Just because she is ignorant doesn’t mean that its due to her age. There are plenty of people who do black face because they know its offensive are they racist? Maybe, maybe not. But often they want to get a reaction from people. Its the same statements you find in Miley Cyrus threads please don’t confuse being dick to just being young by doing that you’re just letting the person get away with their behaviour.
so what if she didn`t know it was going to offend people? It DID offend people. Being an idiot doesn’t excuse being a racist.
Really? You think she got together with her publicist and seriously thought this would be a great plan to gain attention, because everyone knows that pulling a stunt that could be widely construed as racist is always good for your career. Surely it’s most realistic to think she’s just stupid?
On the plus side OITNB has been opened up to a whole new audience (I’d never heard of it before, but now I’m intrigued). The show wins, JH loses, everyone’s happy…
I think she’s honestly just young and ignorant. No young celeb, especially one that’s trying as hard as Julianne Hough to make themselves “happen” would want to be seen as a racist. I don’t think it excuses her by any means, but she did apologize quickly. Its more sad, IMO, that none of her “friends” told her this was a bad idea in the first place.
I was watching the View on Monday AM and Sherry Shepherd (spelling? eek!) had made an interesting comment on JH’s ignorance……She wasn’t trying to excuse the behavior, but basically she said that the younger generations don’t see racial issues like the older generations do. That could be part of the reason why she just didn’t know any better. Pretty much that younger people are just less likely to judge different races, classes, genders, and even sexual orientations than our parents and grandparents and that hopefully, in time, it won’t be such a hot button issue for everyone.
And this is why I hate Halloween.
Frankly, she’s just a stupid girl. It’s not like we’re dealing with a Rhode scholar here. She shakes her ass for a living. Yawn.
This was totally done on purpose for an attention grab. This girl will do ANYTHING for publicity whether it is good or bad.
What I want to know is where the hell were her “friends” for her on this?!! No way I would let her out of the house looking like that.
Really!! I can’t believe no one around her said hell no!
Blackface is the black face and white mouth that made fun of people. This seemed more like a tribute. Gay men used to make fun of women while in drag and now it is a tribute. I think intentions are what matter. People choose to feel hurt but maybe it is a good time to ask why? If she honestly didn’t know about vaudville which by her age she probably doesn’t then what is the problem? Why is she not honoring those people? She painted her whole body a nice color brown (no white lips) and didn’t make herself look ugly, I’m not seeing the problem.
Sorry. I think intentions are important and that with two wars, spying, the drug war, and all this other crap going on that we need to start looking and placing emphasis on real dangers.
Totally agree!
Has anyone seen Dwayne Wade’s justin timberlake costume?
http://www.sugarslam.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/dwyane-wade-justin-timberlake-halloween.jpg
same thing, just different color body paint.
Google “minstrel shows” and then tell me it’s the same thing.
No it is NOT the same the thing! GOOGLE Black Face or Minstrel shows and get back to me.
“If she honestly didn’t know about vaudeville…”
uh, THAT’S the problem. If you don’t know the HISTORY of racism in a country DEFINED by it, how the flying f* are you supposed to have any understanding of present-day America? This not only says a lot about Julianne, it says tons about the state of education today. What, something happened a couple generations ago so we don’t have to know about it? So much for the lessons of history.
Agreed.
“it says tons about the state of education today”
Agree!
Totally agree.
I think the fact that she did it thinking it was harmless shows that she is NOT a racist. Young people today are not brought up the same way as our grandparents. Their best friends and even spouses might be black. They grow up among all races liking them or not liking them for their individual personalities not skin color. They are not thinking anything of it and this is letting old stigmas go, but to make a big deal over and place guilt on someone who simply wanted to be a character is keeping racism alive when all anyone wants is to not have it. Her costume was not even “blackface”, but she darkened her skin to make the character more real. Most people do what they can to make their costume more believable. Furthermore, I think that the actor herself is perpetuating racism by stereotyping…and I would put money on it that she herself, Uzo Aduba, the Crazy Eyes character darkened her skin more than her own natural color to play the part.
I agree with everyone who says she did this on purpose. Fame whore.
Sadly ignorant. How is this 2013 and people are still doing this shit? Have they not, you know, gone to school? Learned any American history? Are they so self-centered that they just don’t give a flying ray’s a$$? Really sad.
And reading comments re this story on Jezebel really made me question the state of humanity. There is SO much freaking racism out there. People who say that we live in some post-racial society (and attempt to support their opinions by variations on “But look, we have a black President” or “I have a black friend”) are either willfully ignorant or delusional.
word.
I learned about blackface from the tv show Give Me a Break when one of the sisters puts Joey Lawrence in blackface and then Nell schools them all on it. I was really young, watched it with my parents, and it stuck with me. Having said that, I managed to graduate college having never been taught about vaudeville in a school setting. I was an avid reader so I knew what it was, but if I’d had different parents would I have?
But I also came of age when the Internet was still shiny and new. Since blackface seems to happen every Halloween, I don’t see how a person could be unaware that it’s an issue even if they don’t have the historical context.
I’ll be honest, I am almost 29 years old and I didn’t know the history of blackface until this happened!
I consider myself an intelligent, well read person. History was one of my favorite subjects in school and slavery, the Civil War, the 60’s were all covered. I only had a vague understanding of vaudeville from watching I Love Lucy reruns on Nick at Night.
With all that said, I still wouldn’t think it was ok to paint my face black for a Halloween costume.
:-|this horse’s ass looks like a deranged Teletubby. smh
This was posted in response to menlisa:
I think that you are right. Look at the expression on her face, she is loving the attention.
Even if she did not know the history of blackface in popular culture, which would still earn her a serious side-eye from me, how can she think that it is okay to mimic someone’s racial features?? What kind of thought process did she undergo in which she thinks that it’s okay to mimic someone’s physical racial characteristics and that that is the equivalent of a costume or dyeing one’s hair?
And I totally agree with the poster who linked this to an ignorance of history translating to ignorance about the current state of the US today. This is shameful on so many fronts.
@Rin who said blackface “is the black face and white mouth that made fun of people.” No, that is not the only form of blackface. While that type may be the most infamous, there is also blackface where people, like Julianne Hough, put makeup or paint on their face/body to make their skin look brown/black. There was a long history of white actors playing the role of Othello in blackface (without the big white mouth) and for a more recent example, look at Robert Downey Jr in Tropical Thunder or whatever that movie is called from a few years ago. That is still blackface and, imho, still offensive. Blackface has a long, ugly history and is a product of racism and ignorance which unfortunately are still two “real dangers” in our modern world along with the wars, spying, and drug wars you care about.
In defense of RDJ and Tropic Thunder, the whole point of him being in blackface was to show how overboard some method-type actors go, and throughout the movie it’s pointed out over and over again how no one is okay with him being in blackface (and yet he remains oblivious, because he’s a self-absorbed actor). It was basically mocking the very attitude Julianne Hough has of “I didn’t know any better! Don’t be mad at me!”
Exactly. The actor he portrayed underwent a “controversial skin pigment darkening” blah blah. It was hilarious and well done for the point the actor (played by RDJ) totally missed.
I’m on the fence with this one. I love Orange is the New Black, so for her to pay homage to Crazy Eyes is awesome, BUT I don’t understand how in this day and age, she could dress up in blackface and think that it was alright is a bit fishy to me. Racism is still very much alive and well, so how is it that amongst her group of friends NO ONE thought to mention that makeup wasn’t the best idea.
Also, it looks as though she went with a group all playing characters from the show, so I wonder if someone white played Sophia, and also put on blackface.
It is a shame, but I don’t think it was done maliciously, and now she knows what not to do come future costume parties.
On a positive note, just think of all the new viewers that will be checking out Orange is the New Black! Crazy Eyes is one of the best characters. The show is completely awesome, so at least we know its not going away anytime soon.
IDK. Part of me thinks this was truly just sheer ignorance, and the other part thinks there’s no way she wouldn’t know this would be wrong on so many levels.
That’s where I’m at too. I don’t think it was 100% intentional for attention, but at the same time, how could she not think that was a bad idea? Or one of her friends didn’t say, um…maybe not…
I get the controversy, I get the offensiveness ….she’s a silly girl. But, is this really blackface? I’m sure this was her intention but she didn’t even get that right. This is more like ” over spray tan- bad bronzer job face” She wishes she could be as awesome as those chicks on OITNB.
Yes it’s BlackFace…the INTENT to LOOK Black, despite it looking like a bad tan, was there.
Many years ago I worked with an African American woman & one day we were discussing race & I said something about how I could understand the hardships of racism (I went to a mostly African American school) & she set me straight. I try to live my life embracing all cultures but I will NEVER truly know what it’s like to experience racism. Perhaps this is a good lesson for JH & the rest of us to become educated & learn empathy for the history & struggles of all races & cultures.
Thank you for this. Some people will NEVER understand OR have the luxury of washing the brown/black off like Julianne does, BUT acknowledging that it exists and having empathy goes a long way
These kinds of articles are just bating for commentary. After this one, I’ve decided I’m not even going to read these or comment about this stuff anymore because it always reminds me that a big part of the human race is happily married to pain and hatred. And frustratingly blind – totally blind to relative experiences… as it the world rotates around each and every single individual and that all human experience is identical or something.
That is pretty deep thinking for a comment on a gossip site. “Bating for commentary” is kinda how these girls make their money…. Enjoy it for what it is.
I’m in two minds about this one.
Firstly, bad move Julianne! I can’t believe she thought this was an okay thing to do, given the awful history surrounding it and I also can’t believe not one of her friends mentioned it to her when they decided on these costumes. But at the same time, I agree that she’s not being racist or rude in any way, she just plain didn’t realise.
I kind of see where she’s coming from though, she wanted to pay a tribute to Crazy Eyes who is African-American, so she darkened her skin…the costume wouldn’t have made any sense otherwise. I don’t think it’s fair to call it “blackface” either, that’s a inflammatory statement and it’s not like she meant it in a mocking or hateful way. She tried to have a good costume, it just happened to come out distasteful. She deserves to be educated but not all the hate that’s being dumped on her.
One thing that’s really bugging me about this (apart from the obvious!) are the way women are acting towards her in these comments “a stupid girl” “dumb whore” etc. I appreciate people are angry (as they have a right to be) but ladies, we’ve got to stop tearing each other down like this, regardless of race, colour, creed, whatever, we’re all women and we should be able to disagree with each other without dragging gender related terms into it. It sets us all back!
Also props to her AND Uzo Aduba for their graceful handling of the situation.
I’m biracial (black, irish, native american) and am about the same shade as Julianne. And I’m younger than Julianne. I guarantee you, it would’ve never crossed my mind to darken my skin with paint/self tanner to get the same skin color as the character. Never.
Whether or not she actually meant to be offensive (I think she’s just dumb as a rock when it comes to these kinds of things), it was offensive. Period. And now she knows. Now a bunch of other people know too–even though it should be taught in schools. My mom has a doll back from the 60s–it’s charcoal black with a huge mouth…that is the stereotype.
Hough claiming ignorance is a gimme.
I think my bf owns smarter power tools.
I think it was ignorant. Wasn’t she basically raised in show business? God only knows what type of education she’s received. But it’s not only people like her. Pundit Meghan McCain was on a panel show talking politics and when someone asked her about how an issue related to something in the 70s she said something like, ‘How would I know about that, I wasn’t even born then?’ She was immediately shut down when another paneist said, ‘I wasn’t born during the Revolutionary War, but I know what it is’.
Willful ignorance is celebrated in our culture and something occurring before one’s birth has become a valid excuse for stupidity.
I’m not American or brown skinned. I don’t think her intent was to offend anyone. There is racism all over the world. Always has been always will be. White people get it too. It’s a Halloween costume! Some people just want to be angry. This is blown waaaay out of proportion. I have brown friends. They mock me about being English and how bad their teeth are and their uppity mannerisms. I dont take it personally because the intent wasn’t to be mean.
I get what you’re saying, Maggie, but bad teeth and uppity mannerisms are controllable things. The colour of one’s skin isn’t.
My dad comes from an era where so many things were ‘acceptable’ that are horrific now. He mocks himself as much, if not more, than he mocks others, and he means it in a gentle and genuinely trying to make people laugh happily way, but…shiz still ain’t right. We try and softly get through that things are different now for good reason. He’s getting there about most things: He walked my brother down the aisle when he married his boyfriend years ago after growing up believing homosexuality was a sin, and he buys my sons pink clothes, dolls and other traditionally ‘girl’ things after I schooled him on gender stereotyping, so there is hope.
To quote a Pantene ad, it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.
I saw a lengthier comment by Laverne, and it was really well said and thoughtful, the best possible way to respond to something like this.
If you’re born and raised in the USA and don’t know that blackface is an insult, you are dumb as a box of rocks.
Well I’m a black American and I don’t see anything wrong with it.
<3 you!
GiGi, you being Black doesn’t negate the FACT that she offended people. I’m confused as to why you even felt the need to say you are Black. Anyone can be offended at her costume…its not only Black people. SMH.
People choose to be offended thereby making it racist when the intent was never there. Would you be so outraged if she dressed up as Cinderella? FFS there are so many things in this world that one can be outraged by . Some HW dancer pretending to be a character on tv is petty! This has been sensationalized in the media and the sheople follow.
@ Maggie…Cinderella??? Her INTENT was to make herself look Black, there is ZERO need to do that in this day and age. Ellen and Miley Cyrus’ Halloween costumes have proven this. Google Minstrel show and Blackface if you don’t know the HISTORY or even the current state of race relations going in this country. Cindrella??? SMH.
I don’t get pissed off when Nicki Minaj dresses up as Barbie either.
Yeah…cause Barbie is ONLY White right?
I’m black, and I’m not offended by this either. She was dressing as a character who happens to be black, not making fun of black people.
In this getup I can’t tell her and Lohan apart – they could be twins. Hope she isn’t a drunk like Lohan even though they both seem about as moronic.
Why didn’t anyone in her group of friends say “hey I don’t think this is a good idea !”. I mean really, not one person in her group ??? It’s in bad taste. Do I think she’s racist? No. Ignorant, yes. But that also goes for other halloween costumes like dressing up as an “Indian” or “Geisha”. Isn’t halloween about dressing up as ghosts and demons and witches, you know scary stuff ???
SO YOU’RE TELLING ME…
that magazines can lighten Beyonce’s skin by like 50%,
But Julianne Hough can’t wear too much bronzer for a halloween costume?
Racists make no sense to me.
PS, that’s not black face. Black face is black paint.
This. People are just too sensitive. This chick obviously didn’t mean anything offensive and was paying tribute to a character she admires for halloween. I do not see the big deal.
+2
I am a native american and have felt the sting of racism from both whites and from other native americans who think think they are more “native” than me. I have no problem with this costume. If you are portraying a specific character why not go full out? There was obviously no ill intent or mocking here. Intent means everything in a situation like this. I get more offended when I go to Disney World and see an obviously white girl in a black wig playing Pocahontas, like they can’t a Native who wants the job.
IF orange (blech) really is the New Black then she should have just put on orange face (as opposed to black face which everyone knows is so NOT cool, not funny, and most of all not seen as a sign of respect nor reverence…)
Stupid, stupid girl…dip yourself in orange juice and then have some fun…what you did here may just have cost you your Hollywood ticket…a picture is worth a thousand words…i don’t care what you say about your choice of costume, when i see this image of you, i’m just like OH NO SHE DIDN’T…ick.
Racism is alive and well. I am a teacher in Australia and I am currently teaching my senior students about Mabo. An indigenous man who went to our High Court to help establish Native Title and land rights for indigenous peoples. I asked my students to write a newspaper article on the case in lieu of an essay. One kid wrote for his headline “Mabo proves blacks are not slacks”. I tore this kid a new one. I was so disappointed, in not just him but my some of colleagues who didn’t see the harm. My student is just ignorant, but fellow teachers at my school-even more ignorant.
I think this is dimwitted and I don’t find it nearly as offensive as the guys who dressed up as Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman or these jerks: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/fashion-designer-blackface-halloween-party_n_4170014.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
The problem is Julianne belongs to a religion that has tought that blacks have dark skin because of the “mark of Cain”. In other words, Cain’s sin of killing Abel was passed down forever in dark skinned people, who are marked as evidence that they are unworthy to be with white people. This includes Native Americans, as well as any dark skinned people. The same church happily took money from black folks, but in essence denied them access to heaven (except as a servant) until 1978.
I think the problem also has something to do with Hough being a professional dancer since she was a kid and never having a real education. I’d be surprised if she actually graduated from high school. I doubt if she has any normal knowledge of culture or history.
Her comment would be more relevant if she simply said:
“I am sorry I wore any kind of outfit portraying the glorification of a black woman in prison garb. This is a sensitive topic for drama, and not the kind of “high five” thing for halloween parties. I am a white woman and have no right to be uneducated on the topic of American history, in particular black face, in this era of post civil rights. I have made choices to be ignorant, insensitive and uninformed. I wholeheartedly apologize for my insipid thoughts actions and make a vow to understand and change.”
Not, ” I’m sorry you were offended”, which translates to ” I’m sorry you’re not over it”.
I honestly thought she had on a really bad spray tan, I’ve never seen OITNB.
Whatever. Who cares. It is just a costume, people.
So america has a history of oppressing blacks, therefore whites dressing up as blacks is wrong.
America also has a history of oppressing women. Women are still oppressed. There is high rape and we must fight for our reproductive rights and there is slut-shaming and women are judged primarily by our looks yet it is totally ok for a man to dress as a woman.
It’s even considered funny.
I am confused.
Hey didnt the wayans brothers dress up as white girls……… havent heard the r word over that!
I think the fact that she did it thinking it was harmless shows that she is NOT a racist. Young people today are not brought up the same way as our grandparents. Their best friends and even spouses might be black. They grow up among all races liking them or not liking them for their individual personalities not skin color. They are not thinking anything of it and this is letting old stigmas go, but to make a big deal over and place guilt on someone who simply wanted to be a character is keeping racism alive when all anyone wants is to not have it. Her costume was not even “blackface”, but she darkened her skin to make the character more real. Most people do what they can to make their costume more believable. Furthermore, I think that the actor herself is perpetuating racism by stereotyping…and I would put money on it that she herself, Uzo Aduba, the Crazy Eyes character, darkened her skin more than her own natural color to play the part.