What you-tuber Mayfinder might not realize is that “African” is not homogeneous. This almost seems like a cogent argument as to why it’s normal that Yo-landi Vi$$er donned a full-body outfit of black paint, until we remember that a group of black South Africans wearing pink and purple, etc, from head to toe and celebrating overcoming slavery and Apartheid is a lot different than a white person dressing in blackface in a music video.
Annually there is a giant festival called “Tweede nuwe jaar” where a multitude of minstrel troupes celebrate together in a colorful display of costumes, body paint, and music.Īn article on South African History Online says that: “a s one of the longest surviving traditions it has become very evident that the minstrel festival is an important aspect of South Africa’s history and cultural heritage… It is therefore important to maintain the tradition, which has become so deeply entrenched within the popular culture of Cape Town.” On the other hand, Harris also mentions that minstrelsy has become a cultural symbol of progress for black people in South Africa after Apartheid. Since blackface minstrelsy is a cultural vestige of slavery in both America and South Africa, this video’s flippant use of blackface imagery is totally unjustified. This article by Aisha Harris directly condemns Die Antwoord’s use of blackface in their music video and raises other concerns about their video. The reception of the video, and of the group in general, has been bitterly divided. In 2012, their music video “Fatty Boom Boom” inspired controversy because of their use of blackface bodypaint and shocking content. Content Warning: Blackface, explicit language and imagesĭie Antwoord is a South African rap-rave group that has garnered fame for their provocative, aggressive style and unique vocal sound.
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