Clearly Comparing Blackface to Drag is Both Racist & Homophobic

It has come to my attention that a few of you claim to need someone to explain the very basic principle of how the comparison between blackface and drag is simultaneously racist AND homophobic.

Do I believe that you are actually convinced that this trumpian-era style of rhetoric is ok? No. Do I think you aim to put two (what you perceive to be) minority groups against one another in an Oppression Olympics? Yes.

Nonetheless, I am going to humor you with a very calm, structural, evidence-based explanation of how the comparison between drag shows and blackface is clearly nothing more than an excuse to be both racist and homophobic at the same time. 

1) Blackface, alone and with no other assistance, is already a racist concept. 

Clearly, it promotes untrue stereotypes, inaccurate representations of AAVE, offensive wardrobes, and dangerous rhetoric that holds in place two centuries worth of oppression and systemic barriers. 

Black people are teachers, preachers, lawyers, doctors, fire fighters, caregivers, soldiers, marines, inventors, investors, creators, and Vice Presidents of the United States. If you want to imitate Black people get your PhD, MD, JD, or DDS. That is a start. If you want to imitate Black people, season your food with the flavors of Africa, preserved through years of slavery and passed down to this very generation. That is a start. If you want to imitate Black people, run for local office and serve your community. That is a start. If you want to imitate Black people, win the most Grammies or Olympic gold medals by any gymnast in U.S. history. If you want to imitate Black people, be the first to invent the traffic light, blood banks, or ironing boards. 

Do not paint your face with literal tar colored clown paint and parade around like a harlequin. That is racist. 

If you are still “confused”, see:

A Cultural History of a Racist Art Form by CBS Sunday Morning 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pqlD-eZm1ck

The History of Blackface and Why It’s So Harmful by TedX Shorts

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc16FF6d3zM

2) The comparison between blackface and drag is also homophobic - achieving its goal of gaslighting two populations at once. 

Much like Mrs. Doughtfire, Shakespeare, and even your nephew’s school play: drag is a theatrical expression of those who choose to enjoy performance and performance arts. It is meant to bring joy and laughter like many other forms of art, but especially live performances. Thus, your resistance cannot be toward the theatrical performance itself. How could it be, when you have taken your families to see many “great American classics” that also feature characters dressed as the opposite sex - from your local town theatre to the Pixar/Disney/20th Century Fox big screen, you witnessed it many many times and you laughed and moved on. However, you can’t do that when it comes to drag? This time you are oh so triggered. Why is that? Ahhh: we’ve arrived. Your inherent (and sometimes also projected outwardly) homophobia. You are angry because you assume that all drag queens are too flamboyantly, openly, happily gay in their personal lives. I would not dare waste my time debating a human right like same sex marriage and relationships; but I’m glad we have arrived together at the root of your disdain. Look within to solve the issue of why someone else’s love life makes you angry.

If you are still “confused”, revisit:

She’s The Man feat. Amanda Bynes - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0454945/

Mrs. Doubtfire feat. Robin Williams - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/

Mulan - Disney - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/

Lilo and Stitch - Disney - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0275847/

Robinhood - Disney - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0070608/

Aladdin - Disney - https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0103639/

Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Twelfth Night)

3) So if we treat this like a math equation: 

When you make a comparison between these two unrelated topics you are adding two centuries worth of racist oppression & stereotypes + your own inherent personal biases against the LGBTQ+ community which = one big racist homophobic sandwich for your dinner tonight.

If you have made your way through this entire piece and still find yourself questioning how the comparison is harmful, I’m not here to bash you. I am here to let you know that you fall on the racist and homophobic side of history. It’s your job to figure out if that’s where you belong.

To read my latest work, please like my page on Facebook. 

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