Is Blackfishing the New Jim Crow Performance?

If you currently have an Instagram account, you probably have scrolled past, liked, and probably have even screenshot an influencer whose self-tanner made them appear to look like a different race. With the appropriation of hairstyles such as cornrows and Fulani braids and the popularity of lip and butt injections, it is no surprise that this evolved version of blackface has become popular.

Attached is an Image of Emma Halberg: A Swedish Influencer who was recently accused of "Blackfishing"

Is Tanning Problematic?

The simple answer is no, it can be unhealthy and cause a significant amount of damage to the skin, tanning is not a form of cultural appropriation. Everyone including people of color tan and get darker when exposed to sunlight. However, there is such thing as going too far. Intentionally wearing a self-tanner to appear as a descendant of the African diaspora, using plastic surgery to possess African features, and attempting to alter one's hair texture in order to appear more black or "ethnic" mirrors Jim Crow performances. 

Example of a Jim Crow performance:

Jim Crow is a term that is best known in reference to legal segregation within the United States. However, the term's origins are from a comedic act by Thomas Dartmouth Rice. Rice created a caricature named Jim Crow meant to make a mockery of African Americans. Ultimately, Rice's Jim Crow performances created a popular comedic genre of music and theatre where white performers dressed in Blackface. If you are interested in knowing more about the history of Jim Crow I recommend this link: https://blackpast.org/aah/jim-crow 

Within the United States, there is a long and painful history of using black face and black caricatures in order to play into racial stereotypes as a source of "entertainment" for non-Black audiences. The awareness of this, as well as the lack of positive Black representation within media, makes the current Blackfishing trend unsettling. Blackface was seen as a comedic performance in order to provide entertainment at the expense of Black people and the trend of using self-tanner to appear Black for Instagram likes and to gain followers isn't very different. Why is it that Blackness is more palatable when it is being showcased by non-Black people? Why is it a trend to appear Black but not a trend to be Black?

As Usual,

Thanks For Keeping Up With Kat!

I'd love to know your opinions about Blackfishing feel free to DM me on Instagram @Ktinsley_