Race and Drag Race

[LordEnigma 11,313]

TO START: I want to discuss things and I’m interested in thoughts. This question is more about playing devil’s advocate than an opinion.

I was watching the Kardashian musical and I thought about Peppermint playing Britney. She didn’t paint her face in white makeup or change her racial appearance. So... do you think it’s ok for black queens to play white women but not vice versa (for obvious reasons)?

Has there been a challenge in the past of a white queen playing a woman of color (NOT doing black face or changing their racial appearance)?

I’m interested in all of your thoughts. And keep it CUTE!

[ryanripley 86,575]

there actually was a white queen who had to team up with another queen who was POC for a twins challenge and they stated in the confessional there's no way in hell they would do blackface, even for this challenge where they had to look related (pretty sure it was Tempest DuJour from season 7)

imo, i think the only time for a white queen to play a POC character would be:

a) they literally have no POC queens left to take up the role

b) the challenge requires them to be the sibling of a POC queen/character

however this in no way excuses them to engage in black face because of the awful history behind american media and their mocking portrayal of POC people back in the olden days

since white americans don't have a history of oppression haunting them, there's really no issue with Peppermint playing a white woman. you may read this and think "but how is it not the same? they're both equal races?" well, the situation isn't black and white (), it's complicated and muddy, people are still unwilling to listen and would rather just screech LiBErAL SNowFlaKe instead of taking the time to listen to these people

[slayo 7,664]

Take a look at Season 8, Episode 3. The challenge was an acting challenge based on the show Empire. Empire has a cast of primarily POC people. Every queen on the episode played a role in that acting challenge, no matter race, gender, or ethnicity.

[GagaMariaSpears 1,627]

Trixie played Rupaul for Snatch Game and didn't change her skin color

Thorgy portrayed post vitiligo Michael Jackson if that counts 

Usually when queens portray someone of a different race, they only portray them through through wigs and costumes. Also, in the Cher musical challenge, none of the queens changed their physical appearance 

[Supersonic 49,376]

White queens portraying black characters is fine as long as there's no blackface/darkening of skin color involved.

There have been white queens portraying black characters on the show, but not in blackface. Trixie Mattel as RuPaul, Thorgy Thor as Michael Jackson. There have also been other non-black queens of color that portrayed black characters on Drag Race without getting into hot waters (Roxxxy Andrews as Tamar Braxton, Kenya Michaels as Beyoncé, Stacey Layne Matthews as Monique, Raja as Tyra Banks)

Anything is really ok, just don't do blackface.

[LordEnigma 11,313]

2 minutes ago, GagaMariaSpears said:

Trixie played Rupaul for Snatch Game and didn't change her skin color

Thorgy portrayed post vitiligo Michael Jackson if that counts 

Usually when queens portray someone of a different race, they only portray them through through wigs and costumes. Also, in the Cher musical challenge, none of the queens changed their physical appearance 

Are certain wigs off limits then? Making their impersonation more of a white character than a black character?

[LordEnigma 11,313]

Just now, Supersonic said:

White queens portraying black characters is fine as long as there's no blackface/darkening of skin color involved.

There have been white queens portraying black characters on the show, but not in blackface. Trixie Mattel as RuPaul, Thorgy Thor as Michael Jackson. There have also been other non-black queens of color that portrayed black characters on Drag Race without getting into hot waters (Roxxxy Andrews as Tamar Braxton, Kenya Michaels as Beyoncé, Stacey Layne Matthews as Monique, Raja as Tyra Banks)

Anything is really ok, just don't do blackface.

What about black hairstyles? Are they making these character more white in portraying them this way? Or speaking in stereotypical accents or slang?

[GagaMariaSpears 1,627]

1 minute ago, Alexander Levi said:

Are certain wigs off limits then? Making their impersonation more of a white character than a black character?

Honestly, it mostly depends on context and intent. There isn't anything right or wrong on paper.

[LordEnigma 11,313]

7 minutes ago, slayo said:

Take a look at Season 8, Episode 3. The challenge was an acting challenge based on the show Empire. Empire has a cast a primarily POC people. Every queen on the episode played a role in that acting challenge, no matter race, gender, or ethnicity.

But the roles weren’t necessarily impersonating specific people - that’s more my question. And I do understand Empire is primarily POC but I’m not sure if the queens were supposed to be impersonating specific characters or more personalities.

[Borislshere 52,902]

As long as you don’t do black face, it shouldn’t be an issue. This goes for any comedian/actor. 

[Supersonic 49,376]

1 minute ago, Alexander Levi said:

What about black hairstyles? Are they making these character more white in portraying them this way? Or speaking in stereotypical accents or slang?

I think the hairstyle should be suited to the character choice and a queens personal style. I wouldn't do Beyoncé in an Afro, she just isn't known to wear that kind of hair. Mannerisms are up for characterization, and making like... Maxine Waters speak like soundcloud rappers would feel strange and very "oh she's black she must talk like that."

Bottom line is just that it has to be funny, thought out and witty.

[slayo 7,664]

The key is portraying somebody with their own, personal characteristics instead of resorting to racial stereotypes.

[LordEnigma 11,313]

3 minutes ago, GagaMariaSpears said:

Honestly, it mostly depends on context and intent. There isn't anything right or wrong on paper.

It’s an issue that has many layers to it.

Do you think if a black queen painted her skin white, she would be praised or not? I doubt this would ever happen, I suppose I’m just curious how fans would view that type of experience.

[GagaMariaSpears 1,627]

1 minute ago, Alexander Levi said:

It’s an issue that has many layers to it.

Do you think if a black queen painted her skin white, she would be praised or not? I doubt this would ever happen, I suppose I’m just curious how fans would view that type of experience.

It depends on why the queen would paint her skin, whether or not of she'd be praised, I'm not sure because I've never seen it happen.

[LordEnigma 11,313]

4 minutes ago, slayo said:

The key is portraying somebody with their own, personal characteristics instead of resorting to racial stereotypes.

Besides your own opinion, do you think that a white queen playing Erykah Badu and wearing a wig that looks like her natural hair would cause stir among the Drag Race community? I think people would DEFINITELY be talking about it.