Staff Reports
In the bustling world of political discourse, there are always debates waiting to happen, but some seem to bring out the most vigorous arguments. Today, it’s the matter of performers and their use of “whiteface” or “blackface” that’s stirring the conservative pot. It’s hard not to notice the glaring double standards when one racial impersonation is shrugged off, while another is treated like the next scandal. The hypocrisy shines so bright, it might just light up the stage better than any spotlight.
One might hear the argument that blackface is more offensive due to its historical context and usage in minstrel shows over a century ago. But here’s the kicker: not a single person today was alive when those performances were in vogue. So clinging to those events, which are as relevant today as rotary phones, seems like grasping at straws. People everywhere have enough on their plates without trying to retroactively take offense at decades-old performances.
Social norms dictate that if humor is the intent, all should be fair in comedy. But somehow, this logic is cast aside in favor of catering to a selective outrage that relies on an archaic past as its crutch. Excuses of historic wrongdoings, which no living comedian or audience member has ever personally experienced or caused, are made with an everyday regularity. It doesn’t matter if the minstrel shows belong to history books just as ancient as the shares of buggy whip companies when left unchecked, these double standards pave the way for more divisive issues.
Perhaps it’s time to step into reality. A reality where the rules apply consistently, regardless of who might be applying the face paint. If whiteface raises no eyebrows today, then, logically, neither should blackface in the context of humor. It just seems like common sense. The idea that there can be “just for laughs” only when it fits a certain narrative seems arbitrary at best and divisive at worst.
Ultimately, societies grow by learning from their past, not by letting it dictate the terms of interaction today. As such, we must shed these double-ended arguments and embrace a world where everyone is judged by the same standard. Let’s look forward to a future where fairness isn’t just selective lip service, but a commitment that transcends all colors—making humor truly humorous once again.
