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Nick Cannon Whiteface Stunt Stirs Racism Charges

Fox News reports that a recent publicity stunt by America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon is stirring loads of controversy. The stunt involves a picture posted by Cannon to his Instagram account, ...
Nick Cannon Whiteface Stunt Stirs Racism Charges
Written by Mike Tuttle
  • Fox News reports that a recent publicity stunt by America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon is stirring loads of controversy.

    The stunt involves a picture posted by Cannon to his Instagram account, showing the singer in “whiteface” – a makeup job that makes a black person look white – with the caption “It’s official… I’m White!!!”

    The picture and makeup are meant to promote Cannon’s new album titled “White People Party Music”.

    But it was the hashtags that he posted along with the picture that really pumped the controversy bellows.

    “#WHITEPEOPLEPARTYMUSIC… #GoodCredit #DogKissing #BeerPong #FarmersMarkets #FistPumping #CreamCheeseEating #RacialDraft ‘Bro I got drafted!!’”

    Us Magazine spoke with Cannon about the hashtags and album title.

    “You go to a party and white people are having more fun than anybody,” Cannon said. “They know how to have a good time! I could have named the album Purple People Party Music and you’d still get the same album, but it was just one of those things. You know, you deal with things like race, and people get uptight, so why not?”

    And people sure did “get uptight”. Commenters weighed in almost immediately.

    Some claimed #hypocrisy.

    ebw90: #hypocrisy. when a white person dresses up as a black person everyone loses their minds. When a black person dresses up as a white person, no one gives a shit.

    dywannnnn: This makes me mad. That actress who dressed blackface to be “Crazy eyes” for Halloween had to apologize when everyone freaked out….but nick cannon gets to hashtag white stereotypes and dress like a white guy?

    Others countered that with inexplicable phrasing.

    parisade: they asses stay mad!!! Finally the foot is on the other foot they can’t accept the feeling!

    Others appealed to everyone to knock off the silliness:

    scheppielou: This is ridiculous. The argument that white people have been doing blackface and therefore now white people know how it feels is EXACTLY what is wrong. If we want equality for all, this juvenile, insensitive and disrespectful behavior needs to stop. By everyone. Just because some stupid white person did it, doesn’t mean you should stoop to their level. Rise above and be respectful of everyone.

    And, finally …

    blackmambabitch: This is not funny. You are not funny.

    Image via Instagram

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