One of my friends and I (we're both white) want to be Venus and Serena Williams for Halloween. We're going to get body paint and paint ourselves. Would black people find this offensive? We're going to several parties and don't want to get beat up. (Although we could defend ourselves with our rackets)
2006-10-24 05:43:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
We got the idea because I play tennis and my friend has a huge butt and is really muscular, plus we wanted to do something as a pair. It's all we could come up with!
2006-10-24 06:08:07 · update #1
Your question asks if the costume would be considered offensive, and I'd have to say that it might be to some people. So, just be aware of that.
I think that this is a terrific idea, as long as you didn't try to make the image a stereotyped parody. The outfits must be recognized for what they really represent. Best bet is to not try to emulate the fashion statements those two often go for. Go with the basic white tennis outfits, and no one should think you are trying to go as two black hookers, which WOULD definetly be offensive!
And do NOT try to exaggerate the big butt. That might get you worse than beat up.
While I did mention not stereotyping, SOME identifyers should still be applied to make sure the gimmick works as intended. I suggest cornrows for the hair. An embroidered name on the blouse/ top might also help.
2006-10-24 07:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by Vince M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't think so; i think it would be hilarious. i saw three white girls dressed up as "tribal" african-esque people once on Halloween and they won a prize in a costume contest--they did the same thing, totally painted their entire bodies with black paint. i thought it was a very good costume and i think it could be a sign of admiration for those two women more than anything else (it's not like you're dressing up like a parody of a black person, you are literally dressing as two famous black people). yeah sure, ask around some more, but i say go for it (and hope that i'm right!) have fun. that's what Halloween is supposed to be all about anyhow.
2006-10-24 12:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by KJC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a black woman, I would say that there are going to be some black people that would definitely find your costumes offensive. White people dressing up in "black face" hits a sensitive spot for a lot of blacks. I have a high tolerance being that I have lived in a predominately black town and also a predominately white town, so I would think it was funny. I don't think you should paint your selves black.
2006-10-24 12:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by Jazzy 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would say it all depends on who you ask and, on Halloween, where you go. What you describe is essentially a modern, probably much more realistic (and certainly less mocking) version of blackface, which is a sensitive topic.
Perhaps a backup costume plan? Race is always a tricky thing to fiddle around with, and if you're going to be interacting with a lot of people you don't know it might be better to do something more mainstream.
2006-10-24 12:54:35 · answer #4 · answered by Lillian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think this would be a funny sight. you pose a good question, would you be offended if a black person dressed as maria sharapova or andy roddick? i suppose in a predominantly white sport they are quite distinctive, the williams sisters, but i don't see it being offensive.
saying that, think back to the days of the all singing all dancing minstrels (whites made up as blacks and singing , dancing, and clowning around for the entertainment of many) and we could be getting into un-pc territory.
i suppose if you go dressed like serena or venus just remember to wear the big earrings.
2006-10-24 12:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by troubled genius 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm from alabama. i am white and not racist. i would not even think about wearing that costume out. in tuscaloosa alabama about 3 years ago a fraternity had a party in that particular theme. the naacp made a big case out of it and they got fined heavily. i think that in certain company it could go over well but i could easily see were somone might find that offensive.
2006-10-24 12:55:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be offensive to some people. Think of some white tennis players. like Maria Sharapova.
2006-10-24 12:51:40 · answer #7 · answered by karen wonderful 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask some black friends to go as Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, just to balance it out. That could be a laugh.
2006-10-24 12:46:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sure, go in black face. It's soooo retro and retro is in, right?
No seriously, it's a bad idea. To even entertain being a "black person" for halloween is just stoooopid.
2006-10-26 14:59:52 · answer #9 · answered by 11:11 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would do it w/o the body paint .The use of applying make-up to make yourselves appear afro-american could easily be mistaken for a racial slur.
2006-10-24 12:55:15 · answer #10 · answered by Dylan aka Dilly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋