Mell Kuhn, the mayor Arkansas City, Kansas, recently donned blackface and drag at a Court Appointed Special Advocates fund raiser.
Outraged by Kuhn’s apparent disregard for political correctness – the mayor once described such things as “bullshit” – local NAACP activist Kevin Myles met with the mayor, who now claims he’s “sorry:”
It has been brought to my attention how offensive this was and I absolutely agree that it was shortsighted of me not to see that in the first place. I am sincerely sorry and I sincerely apologize for the offensive nature of my actions. This was not CASA, this was of my own volition, and I take full responsibility for my actions. The buck absolutely stops here.
“It has been bought to my attention”? Um, it didn’t occur to you, Kuhn, that people may be offended by blackface? Why? Are you brain dead, or just stupid?
[via Pam’s House Blend]
How about we take this to the next level?
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REBELComx
I’m offended by the “White-face” used by the wayans brothers in White Chicks…
ChristopherM
I’m offended by the fact that white people think they can ignore a whole history of blackface, and simply put it into a modern context to make excuses for themselves (see above comment).
gay as life
I have to say – at least this sounds like a real apology and not your typical political non-apology.
Smokey Martini
I am offended a how uncritical thinkers ignore how the ‘white-face’ in White Chicks serves as tongue-in-cheek comment about the access given to black Americans in the world of socialites.
Isn’t it funny that the Wayans brothers had to pass of as white chicks to gain access into such a world, and — even more telling — as police officers on duty? Makes me wonder if they would have been given access otherwise…
Not to mention the criticism of the entire socialite system where one’s wealth and popularity is granted by virtue of being the heir/spouse of a multimillionaire…
But I digress. What does blackface say about the state of black Americans in the US (both today and historically?). I thought so. Likewise, what does it say about the white guys who think it’s funny? Yep, you got it?
REBELComx
ok, 1) I was being facetious,
and 2) Sure, blackface was once used as an intentional racial stereotype. But it’s ridiculous to view the modern blackface with the same eyes as the minstril acts of Vaudville. It presents that same double standard as black people using the N word. Black actors use “Blackface” all the time, portaying stereotypical black people constantly. There might not be any darker makeup involved, but it’s more about the acting than it is the look. Black, Latino, AND white actors do this all the time on TV. They also do it for black guys playing white guys and white people playing Asian people (Ms. Swann?). Have you seen Mad TV or SNL the past few years?
I see very little difference between Martin Lawrence playing a fat older black woman, and this politician doing it. What…cause he’s white? Your point? Drag queens are Men acting as Women, but no one is up in arms about how it’s sexist or mysoginistic. Racism will stop BEING an issue when we stop MAKING it an issue.
Everyone’s a little bit racist.
ChristopherM
Racism is only an issue because we make it an issue? Wow, I’d sure like to live in your fairytale land.
On another note, I had no idea that Churchilly was a mayor.
REBELComx
The problem is, Christopher, that too many people see racism where true racism does not exist. This is one of those cases. My point still stands, what’s the difference between this man dressing as a black drag queen and Darrell Hammond impersonating Jesse Jackson on SNL?
Smokey Martini
The difference, Rebel, is that Darrel Hammond is impersonating Jesse Jackson specifically. What’s more, he’s doing it not with the intention of mocking or impersonating a particular race or gender, but for POLITICAL commentary/mockery — something that ALL actors on SNL with a pinch of entertainment.
This politican here, however, was impersonating not another politican, but what he perceived to be a stereotypical/generalized portrayal of a black woman. Given that he’s a white man with power, and certainly a person who might have black and/or women constituents voting for him in future elections, he is in no position to impersonate blackness or womanness, even if it’s for a good cause.
REBELComx
I see, Smokey. So this man’s mistake was that he didn’t introduce himself as Starr Jones…
Smokey Martini
As for gay men representing gay women. Well, this is less of a misogynistic gesture (as you imply) than it is an ironic one that comments (or at least used to) on the representation of gay men as feminized and effeminate individuals.
For, if you don’t remember: not long ago in the 50s and 60s gay men were considered weak because they did not have the masculine qualities of straight men and were marginalized (and sadly, still are). Drag just took these stereotypes to their logical conclusion — where men BECAME the most effeminate they could be, the most feminine men they could ever become, caking on the make-up, tucking away their dicks, and donning the most elaborate dresses. It was all for a good show.
Not to mention the fact that the act of dragging originated in drag balls, which were frequented by gay men (and later, lesbians, too) who would attend dressed up in elaborate tuxedos and dresses in hopes of being voted the king and queen (hence, drag queen). OBVIOUSLY this was in mockery of the heteronormative expectations surrounding proms and the entire consumer culture that fueled it.
The very same principles of irony apply to black men who who do blackface. For, while they may not be marginalized now as vehemently as they were in years past, the stereotypes still exist and these impersonations hark back to their existence. The dynamic, of course, always changes when the impersonations are performed by people with privilege: namely, middle-aged, white men like our dear politician friend above.
Smokey Martini
I won’t comment on your response, Rebel. Just read my comments again — but C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y this time — and (hopefully), you’ll get it.
Matt
I don’t see the NAACP getting upset with Robert Downey Jr. doing blackface. I’m sorry you were discriminated against and hated but I’m sorry in this day and age it’s not the white man keeping your down it’s your own culture.
REBELComx
Actually, Smokey. The ART of drag started with theater in the Renaissance, though the act of men dressing as women is far older. It was very rare for women to be actors and so the parts of women were played by young men. In the margins of scripts and stage info for shows, Shakespeare and other authors would write the acronym DRAG (dressed as girl).
Smokey Martini
Rebel, you’re totally off topic. Let’s keep focused, now!
I’m talking SPECIFICALLY about drag as an ironic/political gesture that addressed the stereotypes perpetuated through society – especially those about homosexual MEN after the second world war.
While it is true that BOYS (or rather, younger adolescent men) performed women’s roles in Shakespearean theatre, it was only because women were NOT allowed to perform themselves. In this case, the boys in Shakesperean play still had more privilege than women did in the Renaissance world of entertainment — making Shakesperean drag a convention rather than a subversive act.
THERE’s the difference.
Smokey Martini
As for Matt’s comment: you’re right — Culture does keep marginalized groups on the margins. But we must remember that Culture is not an autonomous machine. It has to be governed and directed by a leader, and this leader has all the power in the world to change laws and reconfigure the way gays and lesbians are addressed and treated by other constituents of society.
Of course, the change will not occur overnight, but if acts are enacted NOW, things will change for the better in the long run. Thankfully, my country included sexual orientation as a condition for non-discrimination in 1995 — thirteen years after its Charter of Rights and Freedoms was first made official. And now, lo and behold, my country even protects same-sex marriage (after two much-debated refferenda). What’s more, its justice system is dedicated to the protection of gay and lesbian rights and the curbing of hate crimes. And, heck, even the police officers are in on it!
So, while I am quite comfortable and happy as a gay man in my city, the same is not the case for most Americas citizens across the border. Isn’t it funny how gay and lesbian culture – what with its gay clubs, drag shows, artistic productions, etc – are all the rage now, as gays and lesbians prove time and again that they are ‘worthy’ citizens that are crucial to the economic, political and social fabric of the U.S. So why is it, again, they are still being denied their right to be free of hatred, discrimination, etc etc etc?
Just a little something to think about.
REBELComx
By Jaga, Smokey, that’s a mouthfull. Now who’s off topic?
In the end though, one of your comments sums up my point up entirely – It was all for a good show.
Some people just took it far too seriously.
Smokey Martini
I know what I said, but you misinterpreted it again. Let me rephrase: “It’s all for a good show (in the context of the drag ball).”
Sheesh, Rebel — you’ve REALLY gotta learn how to read things carefully!!!
REBELComx
And again, Smokey. You fail to note the way in which comedy occurs. I used your comment and used it to suit my viewpoint. It’s a form of Satire. The context of your comment doesn’t matter. A good show is a good show, wether it be your “drag ball” (which isn’t where the term drag queen came from, by the way), a good episode of SNL, or Robert Downey Jr’s blackface in Tropic Thunder. This politician was simply doing a comedic act to put on “a good show.” He clearly intended no malice, and his act was, to use your own terminology, misinterpreted. And to answer your next comment of “How do you know? you didn’t see it,”…Neither did you.
Smokey Martini
Again, in the case of Tropic Thunder, Robert Downey Jr. is INDEED playing the role of the stereotypical black american, but he’s doing it from the perspective of an actor who has been assigned the role of black dude in a war movie. As he puts it, “I know who I am. I’m a due playing a dude disguised as another dude.”
Are you confused, yet? Yes, I knew you would be. But here, let me break it down for you.
His blackface is NOT a mockery of black people. Well, it is, to some degree, more specifically: it is a mockery of the way Hollywood war movies portray black soldiers.
So of course he’s taking some of the the characteristics of Mr. T (the ultimate dragging of black military men), such as his deep and angered tone of voice. However, what is important to note her is that while the character would have probably passed off as “just another black soldier” if the black soldier were to have been played by a black actor (Jaymie Foxx, perhaps?), the fact that Robert takes on the role, under the direction of Ben Stiller, certainly gives the character a self-critical edge. And so, it passes.
Bringing it all back to the politician: he lacked this self-criticism – his need to address the stereotype of his blackface critically – which is why he is now being scrutinized for his acts. It doesn’t matter if he did it in good fun; the fact that he did it without a historical/critical consciousness is what he’s guilty of.
Smokey Martini
THIS is why gay drag works. THIS is why SNL skits work. They ALL have this historical/political/critical context supporting them.
The fact that they’re funny as fuck makes them all the more palatable to the privileged, white, heteronormative, mostly-upper class audience that just doesn’t know any better.
And, when that privileged crowd tries to imitate these critical impersonations (really, a mockery of the stereotypes THEY perpetuate), then they get flamed for it. It’s just the way it works.
REBELComx
Let me know when the newest edition of your Guide to Overbearing Political Correctness is out in print.
Smokey Martini
I shall. But I will first finish my book on the activist use of photography against the violence and discrimination of the Toronto Police force during 1981 bathhouse raids in Toronto.
As a historian – and more specifically a historian of the representation of GLBT people in Canada – I cannot stress enough how important it is to know one’s history and to put things into perspective. HISTORICAL perspective.
While it is a skill everyone should learn (in school or otherwise), this skill is A MILLION TIMES MORE IMPORTANT for a politicians, who should know about civil history like they do the back of their right hands. In their positions of power, there should be ZERO excuse for ignorance.
Smokey Martini
*ahem* Palin without exception…
agrees with REBELComx
I agree with everything you said and your defenses to these obvious morons. I myself couldnt have had a better rebuttal!
Lexy
“Soul Man” was such a funny movie.
Disgusted American
well ONLY if he was doing a “distinct” character aka tv,music etc..I think it would be ok..otherwise a general black person..no.
JJJJ
I love how people like Fat Pam Spaulding are offended by that with all the very real problems facing African-Americans. Their murder rate has increased five times over since the 1960’s, and any gangsta rap video is much more offensive than blackface.
ChristopherM
A snuff film is more offensive than blackface too. It doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
kevin
girls girls you’re ALL pretty! So put your faces on and let’s go have a martini.
chuck
I’m am so fed up with peoples claiming racism every time some one makes a joke … lighten up people… can’t we just laugh at someone to raise some money… he was also dressed like a woman witch he is not… so should we expect the national organization of women to sue him too?? this is pathetic!!! if this is how it’s going to be i demand that all blacks stop making white jokes too… oh wait i forgot i don’t really care enough and am not offended by parody!!!!!!
C
An Other Greek
I
am
so
sick
of people COMPLAINING and WHINING
when
they
are
EXPOSED
in
their
racism / stupidity!
c’mon folks! (how folksy!) LIGHTEN UP!
If you wanna embrace racism STOP WHINING when others are rightly offended by the hate.
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seitan-on-a-stick
There goes Queerty again, stoking the flames of racism that they so well covet, when not lesbian or transgender bashing. Is there anything “Gay” about this story or are you trying to recruit more bloggers for Stereohyped?
An Other Greek
there go the whiners again, dismissing issues that ARE IMPORTANT TO OTHERS, but apparently not to themselves…
pooh, pooh, tisk tisk, “get over it”, you betcha!
(here’s a hint: if this topic is of no interest, why not JUST GO TO ANOTHER THREAD which interests you and where you can actually contribute…?)
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Matthew Rettenmund
Anyone who is surprised blackface is offensive is an imbecile and a racist. Anyone who says that black people are keeping themselves down, as if they’re all down, as if that part of the black community that is down wasn’t born down, is an imbecile and a racist. I hope the trolls on this thread are not gay, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were. What’s next, “I burned a cross but had no IDEA it was offensive!!! For realz, sorrrrrry!”
ChristopherM
Seitan, I usually agree with you, but the point you’re missing here is that a hell of a lot of gay people happen to also be people of color. Take off the blinders and realize that things that affect people of color ARE gay issues.
CHURCHILL-Y
Both REBELComx and Chuck put it brilliantly.
Good to know there are some people left who haven’t been lobotomized by the PC police.
Enjoy free speech while you can people, I fear it will soon be something of the past.