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I'd say it was in a grey area - neither definitively racist nor definitively non-racist.
If you black up you are in very dodgy ground and most sensible and reasonable people understand that - unless it is absolutely clear it has nothing to do with imitating race ie pretending to be a chimney sweep, miner or folk characters related to night spirits for example.
There is some margin for debate when it's dressing up in homage to a super hero type character or those in a similar vein.
But it's still iffy considering the history of both black face and racism in general.
The police have a duty to investigate if a complaint is made, but there is no guarantee anyone will be charged or prosecuted.
Save the outrage for if or when they are charged and prosecuted otherwise it's hardly state oppression in the name of PC.
CONFESSION:
I once spent Halloween in Newcastle City centre dressed as an SS officer repleat in long leather coat, uniform and hat. I changed all the SS and Swastika emblems to DK logos (Dead Kennedys iconic logo) but afterwards and in retrospect, I realise I might have inadvertantly upset any members of the Jewish community with an insensitive choice of fancy dress.
It was not my intent to upset anyone and was meant to be ironic - if you know much about the DeadKennedys music juxtaposed against an SS uniform. A casual observer however wouldn't necessarily see the DK logos nor understand the point if they did.
I would not feel it was 'PC gone mad' if someone did find it offencive and complained with or without police involvement - I would if I ended up in court though. |
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