It’s seems in recent days blackface is making a comeback.  Google searches are filled with recent news about incidents regarding blackface.  But is this a good thing or a bad thing?  It’s a touchy subject and there are a lot of different opinions out there.  Some say it’s racist and insensitive, others say it’s about time that people start lightening up and appreciating a sense of humor.  Either way, deciding to have actors or people go blackface is a risky move and Ben Stiller, SNL and numerous students on Facebook may be finding that out the hard way. 

1. Ben Stiller’s new film ‘Tropic Thunder’ has actor Robert Downey Jr. in blackface.

In the film, Downey is playing a white actor who is asked to play the role of a black actor-kinda confusing.  So far, this is working out in Stiller’s favor.  The movie doesn’t come out until August 15, 2008, and already there’s tons of buzz.  Sure, there are some who are skeptical about the film’s debut, but Stiller insists that Downey’s role was done in good taste. ”If it’s done right, it could be the type of role you called Peter Sellers to do 35 years ago,” Downey said to Entertainment Weekly magazine. “If you don’t do it right, we’re going to hell.”

*Photo of Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Tropic Thunder’

2. SNL cast member Fred Armisen playing Senator Barack Obama in presidential candidate spoofs.

SNL is catching some heat about having Armisen, who is half white and half asian, use blackface to imitate Obama.  It was not the traditional blackface, but he did wear darker makeup, which technically makes it blackface.  Comments on some blogs show extremists are saying this incident just further proves SNL’s “racist ways” but most just found the sketch funny and entertaining. Either way SNL has gotten more attention then usual as a result–exactly what they wanted.   

3. Recent Facebook scandals involving college students and blackface.

It seems that blackface and imitating black people has become a popular thing to do on some college campuses.  What’s even more popular is broadcasting it to the world and posting it all over your Facebook page.  It ranges from parties with “black” themes to students covering their bodies in mud and video taping themselves reenacting the Jena 6 incident.  It seems most were harmless and not intended to offend but unfortunately in most cases it did.  Other students who attend the same schools as those involved in the blackface scandals were hurt and very vocal about being offended.  

In some cases, the photos were taken off of Facebook and public apologies were made, but that didn’t change the fact that people were still hurt and more importantly the involved colleges’ reputations are now at stake.  Some are going so far as to investigate the matters, and many of the Facebook sites have become private or have been completely taken down.  Unfortunately for students and colleges involved, the pictures were already downloaded and can easily be found on Google. 

As PR professionals it’s our job to nurture and maintain relationships among key publics.  So does participating in blackface hurt or help those relationships?  Surprisingly, in recent incidents (aside from those dumb college kids on Facebook) it has proven to help. 

The SNL sketches were widely accepted by people of all races and most just thought it was funny and typical SNL behavior.  The show is centered around impersonations, and cast members often play characters of a different race. 

In the case of Ben Stiller it has so far been a success.  It has helped raise awareness months before the movie trailer has even been released.  In a special screening, Stiller said he was amazed by how receptive people were to the film and that black viewers seemed to enjoy it. 

Overall, when blackface is done tastefully and in a non-racist way there is nothing wrong with it.  Black actors have imitated white people for years in movies like ‘White Chicks’ for example, so why shouldn’t it be acceptable both ways? These recent incidents have shown that the majority of people appreciate that it’s all in good fun and for the sake of entertainment.  If it’s ok for blacks to play whites then it should be ok for whites to play blacks. There shouldn’t be a double standard, but when playing the role of another race people have to be careful not to come off as making fun in a racist or mean-spirited way. 

*Photos provided by CNN.com and thesmokinggun.com

*Video provided by YouTube