Kid criticised for trying to look like his hero

[Wobbegong]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3759261/It...

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/mu...


Young Australian kid idolises an AFL player (AFL = bizarre marriage of rugby crossed with cricket). Unfortunately the kid has a different skin pigment, so his mother used paint to darken him and gave him a dreadlock wig to replicate the hair. To be fair she seems to have done a good job despite it been for 'book week' (not sure if the player in question has a book?)

This has caused social media outrage and screams of racism. They're probably planning a hashtag assault and street protest as I type.

I don't see the issue though? Surely it would be better to celebrate (if anything needs doing as it is such a non-story) the fact a 'white kid' has a 'black idol'? Or are white people only supposed to look up to other whites now?

[anonymous-user]

I doubt the Australians are upset about racism? Must be other nations offended getting worked up.

[Issi]

'Rugby crossed with cricket' - I think you've got that a bit wrong.

[youngsyr]

Dictionary said:

Racism
noun
- the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

If anything, this is the exact opposite of racism: the kid is idolising someone of a different race, after all, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

[sjg]

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

[PurpleMoonlight]

The kid should have claimed he 'identified' as being black.

[TeamD]

PurpleMoonlight said:

The kid should have claimed he 'identified' as being black.

Seems the accepted way these days I must admit

[Mr Snrub]

This is ok though

[Jinx]

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

Or you could accept that form of racism is long past and to equate this kid's actions as being similar is neither correct nor helpful in this day and age.

[StottyEvo]

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"

Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.

[youngsyr]

Jinx said:

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

Or you could accept that form of racism is long past and to equate this kid's actions as being similar is neither correct nor helpful in this day and age.

In fact, it seems the people who are offended by people wearing black make up are the ones who aren't aware of the history - it was never about the make up, it was about the performance of the people whilst wearing the make up denigrating black people.

The mere act of putting on black make-up doesn't make you a racist, especially when you're doing it to celebrate your sporting idol.

Edited by youngsyr on Friday 26th August 10:27

[SystemParanoia]

StottyEvo said:

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"

Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.

You're quite wrong

[StottyEvo]

SystemParanoia said:

StottyEvo said:

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"

Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.

You're quite wrong

I think what is irking me is, calling this women racist is diluting the meaning of the word. From hearing her intentions she's being the opposite of racist.

A lot of words have had the strength taken out of them, by being overused or their definitions being stretched.

[ikarl]

Issi said:

'Rugby crossed with cricket' - I think you've got that a bit wrong.

"Whoooooosh"

[Disastrous]

SystemParanoia said:

You're quite wrong

A child 'blacking up' to emulate his hero is not racist and is not remotely comparable to 'blackface' performers of yesteryear.

[SystemParanoia]

StottyEvo said:

SystemParanoia said:

StottyEvo said:

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"

Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.

You're quite wrong

I think what is irking me is, calling this women racist is diluting the meaning of the word. From hearing her intentions she's being the opposite of racist.

A lot of words have had the strength taken out of them, by being overused or their definitions being stretched.

Context can easily be applied within a closed group, as long as it stays in that closed group.
But this dozy bint put it up on social media for the world to see and put their opinions to without having context or the desire for it given the connotations.

case in point: - not put up by himself.. but same result.

[Alpinestars]

Really don't see the issue here. Poor kid must wonder what's going on.

[Hoofy]

SystemParanoia said:

StottyEvo said:

sjg said:

If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.

I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"

Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.

You're quite wrong

The only way I can empathise is:

1) Mickey Rooney as the Japanese buffoon mixing his Ls and Rs up in Breakfast at Tiffany's
2) David Carradine as a mixed race Chinese martial artist in Kung Fu.

The first is painful to me; the second I'd happily watch.

[Dr Murdoch]

Alpinestars said:

Really don't see the issue here. Poor kid must wonder what's going on.

I know, "well son, in this world we have people who we refer to as 'the professionally offended..."

[ZedLeg]

Seriously, you guys are defending blacking up?

It's pretty misguided of the mother to think it's acceptable.