Black Face

[David Morris]

http://afropunk.com/2014/03/feature-the-curious-case-of-the-new-orleans-zulu-club-black-people-in-blackface/

This article looks at black face in light of New Orleans premier society
black Mardi Gras Krewe, Zulu, in which all members don black face for Mardi
Gras.  It's maybe the oldest and most public version of the present day
N-word discussion.  I won't go there, but the real story is more fun than
the controversy:

Mardi Gras has long had a tradition of "masking," disguising identity
during the party.  Eyes Wide Shut, but with everyone in on the play of
shared "bad" fun, and ya don't need to be rich!

I suggest that Zulu black face masking was always mostly for drama, but
today whites are welcome to ride with the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras, and
they wear black face.  Anonymity while partying?  Plausible deniability?
Is that person really black?

Anyway, black face is OK in NOLA, unless your are trying to be an asshole.

David Morris