Mixed reactions to #Blackface incident
JOBURG – South African citizens have responded varyingly to the #Blackface pair incident.
With two University of Pretoria (UP) students under the spotlight after dressing up as black domestic workers, mixed reactions have been pouring in.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said in a statement that while the two students may have at the time been unaware of just how demeaning their actions were, it raises questions about their upbringings, their education and what they are taught at universities.
Blackface is a stereotypical theatrical portrayals of plantation slaves and free blacks by white performers – and sometimes black performers – during the minstrel show era in America. The performers would use make-up to darken their faces.
The pair was photographed in domestic worker outfits with padded bottoms and their faces covered in brown paint.
The foundation’s director Neeshan Balton said these kinds of incidences at universities indicate that there is still some work to be done among the youth.
“Young people need to be aware of the past, and need to be sensitised to issues around racism. While it may not be a daily occurrence, we cannot allow an incident like this – which is the worst kind of stereotyping of African women – to go unchallenged,” Balton said.
While acknowledging what the students did was in bad taste, AfriForum Youth questions the disciplinary action taken by the university.
According to the forum, the act was an invasion of privacy as disciplinary steps were taken against the pair while the incident took place at a private event.
“There must be clearly distinguished between a person’s private life and that which could’ve truly damaged the image of the University,” national chair of AfriForum Youth Henk Maree said.
“For a university to act when students – for example – abuse alcohol, break a traffic law or get into a fight outside of that university, is a very dangerous route to take. To use the excuse that the image of UP was scarred as justification for the disciplinary steps is farfetched, and rather an opportunity for them to selectively act on the private lives of students as they see fit,” Maree added.
The forum believes the incident has been blown out of proportion by role players with their own agendas and that it is clear from social media that others agree.
“We should be aware not to immediately link any and all incidents to racism. The picture can most definitely not be compared to real racist actions like a ‘Kill the Boer’ pamphlet,” said Maree.
In the wake of the incident, South Africans took to twitter to share their views.
In the year 2014, South Africa seriously debating if #blackface is racist and offensive or not. I’m defeated.
— Simphiwe Dana (@simphiwedana) August 6, 2014
— Lebo Mashile (@lebomashile) August 7, 2014
It comes down to motive, context and respect. #blackface pic.twitter.com/0MAWvtCMTe
— Ulrich J v Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) August 7, 2014
Sad that aftr all that’s happened, blacks still have to teach whites that it hurts when they kick them, let alone where it hurts. #blackface
— milisuthando bongela (@missmillib) August 6, 2014
Worst part of #blackface madness is illogical arguments. “Nobody says anything when we dress as Indians in saris!” Huh? Where to start…
— Ranjeni Munusamy (@RanjeniM) August 6, 2014
3/3 it still did not occur to me that it might be offensive. These kids deserve condemnation but also education. #blackface
— Rebecca Davis (@becsplanb) August 6, 2014
What is it called when black ppl paint their faces white? We have become so PC it’s ridiculous. #blackface
— JayPhotog (@JayPhotog) August 5, 2014
