MISPLACED PRIORITIES - THE DEBATE OVER BLACK FACE

I must state that I am writing from a position of privilege as a black African Canadian person. I am certain that any non-racialized person who tries to articulate this perspective may be called racist and that is a privilege I want to acknowledge have.

The debate over the wearing or painting of faces black by white folks has been a long-standing cultural issue. There is no question that the practice has existed in various societies for centuries. There is also no question that in some societies, this practice was tailored for specific cultural purposes while in others it has been used to denigrate and mock black folks. No matter what side of the debate you are on there is some agreement that the practice has over the decades become more and more seen as negative and a mockery to black people.

We have seen a vigorous attack on the practice by Anti Black racism activist and a large show of support for their activism on this issue by a large section of white liberals and conservatives alike. But are this assertion of the practice of painting one's face black just blown out of proportion because e of the heightened racial tensions at this time of our existence or is it a real issue that black folks believe needs all the energy and time and resources being devoted towards bringing this issue to light. 

There is a real division of opinion among black people regarding this issue. The blacks in the West specifically those who were born and raised in the western liberal democracies are largely supportive of the activist stance regarding black face. On the other hand, the blacks in the rest of the global south, particular in Africa with the majority of black people will differ with their counterparts in the west. They do not see this issue as a priority deserving of all the attention and resources and activism. It is not the defining issue with respect to anti Black racism and equality for these folks.

The African Black grew up with traditions that allowed us to paint our faces different colors on different occasions for various reasons. Notably we have the habit of painting our faces white for traditional dance ceremonies, festivals and sacred rituals. Why would we presume that a white person simply by painting their face black is racist especially if done in a specific context say Halloween, or to portray a black character or icon as is often the case with anyone who tries to imitate and portray some icon of their liking? Why do we have to associate any black face paintings by white folks as racist when all over Africa the most populous black inhabited continent, we have black people painting their faces white for all kinds of symbolic reasons and yet there is no outrage or suggestion that they are misappropriating whiteness or making a mockery of the white person.

But the question is do all black people agree with that premise? Let's find out

MISPLACED PRIORITIES

I argue that the focus of the black elites in the West on issues of nuanced cultural relevance such as Black face paintings as a symbol of anti-black racism and a place to devote so much energies and resources as is the case now is simply a demonstration of the out of touch nature this elites have become with the realities of life for the majority of black people living elsewhere. 

Frankly we have poverty, wars, systemic gender inequality, corruption, poor healthcare, lack of access to opportunities for basic improvements and growth that are at the forefront of issues most black people in the global south are faced with every day and need the black elites in the west to help them overcome, not some silly debate about black face. So much time and energy from academics to politicians is devoted towards this issue meanwhile there isn't the same energies put towards ending conflicts, to highlight the exploitation of resources and mismanagement of the wealth of black nations, all issues that should take priority over theoretical philosophical debates about anti blackness mostly

Premise

Some things to consider

1.      I have the right to control what happens to my body except for self-harm and no one should be able to tell me otherwise

2.      I therefore have a right and liberty to paint my face any color for whatever reason as long as it is not meant to promote hate or actual or specific injury to a person

3.      Every human being has the right to alter their bodies through permanent disfigurement by ink, surgery etc. with their consent

4.      The right to paint my face is not limited to me as a black person, it is a universal right and should not be construed as racist or hateful unless there is specific unequivocal evidence suggesting that that is the intent

5.      What is the difference between painting your face black to perform an act or present as some icon or celebrity and wearing a black mask for the same purpose? Are we to now socially ban all of those?

6.      What about all the black women who wear wigs made of straight hair that is not anything close to their natural hair or that is designed to be artificially more representative of white/ Caucasian hair? Has anyone accused these black women of being anti-black?

7.      Black women use all kinds of makeup including shades that are lighter, grey, or other colors which in most cases lightens their skin complexion. Even more concrete, across the globe black folks use body lotion and cream that are made to lighten complexion and skin color. I have never heard anyone accuse these folks of being racist or anti black because of their choice to change their complexion

8.      Everyone loves tanning whether it is in the summer sun at a beach or in the tanning studio for some spray tan. People tan to various shades, some darker and others just a little dark. Are we going to now restrict how much darker a white skin person can tan simply because someone perceives it as an attempt to become black?

9.      Enough with the double standards and over the top reactions, it only entrenches rather than liberate consciousness

We need to not be distracted by symbolisms sensationalized to depict racism. Racism is real and we can address the same by being real where there is the potential for a double standard, encouraging everyone to engage in the discourse around race relations no matter what their views are and then work towards a truth about the ambiguities of race discourse and pursue reconciliation.

No one chose where and in what family and what race they were born into. We are all born into humanity and we each are only nurtured in the ways and knowledge of the environment we are born into until we can reconsider all we know and believe in based on new information.  Let us aim to educate more and create space for open nonjudgmental dialogue rather than blame and shame.