Megyn Kelly believes "back when I was a kid, that was okay just as long as you were dressing as a character.”
Megyn Kelly has faced immediate backlash on social media for comments made on her show in which she claims that to wear blackface on Halloween may not be deemed racist.
During a discussion on Monday on her show "Megyn Kelly Today," the Irish American host wondered whether it could be deemed racist to wear dark makeup or face paint on Halloween while discussing with her panel the pressure in universities to ban costumes that could be deemed offensive.
“What is racist?” she asked a panel that included Jenna Bush Hager, Jacob Soboroff and Melissa Rivers.
Read more: Ryanair refuses to remove racist passenger screaming at black woman
Megyn Kelly wonders what the big deal is about blackface pic.twitter.com/07yvYDuAYe
— Tommy Christopher (@tommyxtopher) October 23, 2018
“You do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface for Halloween, or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. Back when I was a kid, that was okay just as long as you were dressing as a character.
“There was a controversy on ‘The Real Housewives of New York’ with Luann, as she dressed as Diana Ross and she made her skin look darker than it really is,” Kelly added, arguing that it was a tribute to a person to wear blackface.
“People said that was racist! And I don’t know, like, I thought, like, ‘Who doesn’t love Diana Ross?’ She wants to look like Diana Ross for one day. I don’t know how that got racist on Halloween.”
Kelly was quickly taken to task as other celebrities argued that the practice of minstrelsy, which served to humiliate and target black Americans, could never make it a harmless act.
Read more: "You don't know what you don't know": Megyn Kelly slams female journalists' support of Tom Brokaw
I was twice on the old #megynkelly show; she's an intelligent woman and surely doesn't believe this racist nonsense. She must be playing the "controversy so as to be noticed" game. That might make it even worse. #MegynTODAY https://t.co/a57ZdYAQ6r
— Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) October 23, 2018
In 2014 I explained why blackface is offensive. The latest news on the topic just goes to show that you can explain all you want and people who are committed not understanding anything and defending racism won't ever learn, because they don't want to https://t.co/CTfNuplBdg
— Jenée (@jdesmondharris) October 23, 2018
Blackface: NO. NO. NO. And even if what's in your heart is not malicious - what it does to so many around you matters more. It's too easy to know better these days. Google it. Ask a friend. Your privilege comes with responsibility. #megynkelly
— Sheetal Sheth (@sheetalsheth) October 23, 2018
So this is how free speech works, Megyn Kelly. You have the right to be a racist a**hole if you want, but other people also have the right to call you a racist a**hole when you are. https://t.co/BlANYEmoTe
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 23, 2018
What do you think? Can painting your face black for Halloween be an acceptable part of a costume or is it always racist and offensive? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below and tell us why you voted
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.
Which way did you vote? Be sure to tell us why in the comments section, below.
Comments