Last Saturday, there was a Hawaiian-themed 21st that broke away from stereotypical costumes like grass skirts and terrible shirt prints: two partygoers took the opportunity to dress in full blackface.

All was well until the photos hit Facebook. Comments on the images ranged from support to outright calls of racism. It certainly didn’t help that these photos were captioned ‘Native Hawaiians’ and were accompanied by hashtags like #aloha and #playingnatives.

While these girls seemingly meant no harm in their portrayal of Hawaiian culture, the comments have brought about an interesting point that I think requires discussion. Where do we draw the line when it comes to cultural appropriation?

These two girls have confessed to knowing nothing about the history of blackface and its place in the oppression of African American populations. However, their inadvertent actions have perpetuated stereotypes through cultural appropriation. And while I think blackface crosses a line, it’s time to have a discussion about where that line is.

History of blackface

For those of us who didn’t pay attention in high school, here’s an oversimplification of one part of history we wish didn’t happen. Blackface became popularised in the late 1820s as an aspect of vaudeville performances. This involved painting one’s face with burnt cork or shoe polish, and saw white performers play caricatures of African American populations in an exaggerated way. No surprises that this also coincided with slavery.

Blackface continues to carry these connotations and is a big no-no in contemporary society. Yet, almost every year around Halloween, some idiot frat house in the US makes headlines with their blackface costumes.

Blackface Down Under

Unfortunately, these costumes are not an isolated incident. You might remember the attempted comeback of that TV show your parents are always talking about, Hey Hey It’s Saturday. In its second revival episode airing in 2009, performers appeared in blackface impersonating the Jackson 5. Congrats to them for one of the least thought-out decisions in recent television history. Hey Hey executives were forced to give an on-air apology for the portrayal. The same act appeared on the show 20 years earlier to a different sort of reception, but times are changing and ignorance is no longer an excuse.

“Cultures are diverse and changing… a costume might be perpetuating negative stereotypes or reflecting a negative aspect of a culture’s history.”

In defence of blackface?

Nah, none. Don’t do it.

Cultural appropriation

You might have attended a Mexican-themed birthday or even a Hawaiian luau. Cultural appropriation has become part of Australian party culture, and if you don’t believe me, check the “Native American” costume section of any store. Australia is a multicultural place and prides itself on its diversity, but it’s is time for all of us to have a conversation about what is appropriate when it comes to cultural appropriation.

The line

So where is the line between harmless and inappropriate? What makes wearing a sombrero OK but not, say, wearing cornrows? This is where it gets a bit tricky, and I think it comes down to your own informed discretion.

It’s important to know that cultures are diverse and changing, and that a costume might be perpetuating negative stereotypes or reflecting a negative aspect of a culture’s history. This isn’t to say that the world needs to become a PC place where absolutely anything can be offensive (see also, the internet). If you’re dressing up, do it with respect. It’s also good to keep in mind that these cultures belong to real people who exist in the real world, and they might not be too happy about their portrayal.

So, go forth and enjoy your culturally sensitive parties. But maybe put down the black face paint before it gets you in trouble.

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Jyles Reynolds is an Arts and Anthropology student. He is currently studying a double degree with UNSW.

(Lead image: Rach White, Flickr Creative Commons license)