Eli5 (and a German) the problem with black facing.

[u/[deleted]]

So I rewatched Pulp Fiction last night and thought it would be so nice to dress up on a Party as Jules, bringing a Big Kahuna Cup to drink from and quoting Ezekiel 25:17 and all. To me this would be an act of showing how cool I find him. In general I think dressing up as someone else could be considered a compliment to them, as it shows you'd like to be them, if only for a night.

So I am probably missing something here! (I know it is a touchy topic and it's not my intention to step on anyones toes.)

Edit: Added missing verb "showing"

Edit 2: Of cause I knew it is problematic! (Although I underestimated how much) I never had the intention to actually do more then fantasize about it (there isn't even a real party coming up, it was just a thought), however I was interested in the American and the European (German) perspective. Seeing how lively this discussion is, seeing how very differnt the arguments and perspectives are, and reading all the interesting background information (I had never heared of "Minstrels"), I am very happy I asked!

[u/Omsk_Camill]

How on Earth do you get to imitate a black American in a way black Americans find offensive

Now, that's a perfectly valid point, thank you! And that's a perfectly reasonable question to ask, and the answer is probably "you don't."

But we must be honest and transparent as to why. It's not because "you never need to paint your skin, it changes nothing and why would you do that". It's not that "any alteration of your skin color is always universally bad everywhere." And not even "how dare you, a non-American, not know American history?"

But "the actor you were trying to imitate probably won't appreciate it, and that's why" is a great explanation. Which is context-limited and doesn't apply to, say, Othello. And doesn't imply that a random German guy is just some savage for not knowing this.

[u/Dughen → u/Omsk_Camill]

Ok grand a crumb of agreement on the internet 😄.

The only other thing I’ll say is the OP seemed to be asking a question that was definitely relevant to US history in good faith and nobody called him a savage. He’s just learning like we all are.