What is and isn't offensive is subjective. I'm not offended by people blacking up for fancy dress, if I understand their intentions in doing so. There are way bigger things going on in the world to be concerned with.

I just think it's ignorant to do so and disregard the negative history behind "blackface"

I understand though, that some people do find that offensive and we probably shouldn't tell people what they should and shoulen't feel offended by.

La la la your mum

Also agreed, there are plenty of things on the margins people can argue over, people saying we need to get rid of words like 'blackboard' and pubs named after the fact that miners used to go in covered in coal are important things to argue over, not whether or not you can black up at a sports event...

White Chicks is, of course, an offence to cinema.

I live in this cloud cuckoo land where someone's intent is far more important to me than what they say or do - in this case, the joke was on Abbott's inability to count, not on her race (or gender for that matter) so I don't find it offensive. I was escorted from the dancefloor at my mate's wedding by his brothers (all black) "because nobody wants to see a white bloke embarrassing himself by trying to dance" - it was funny and, again, not in the least offensive. My mum still refers to black people as "coloureds" because that was the polite way to refer to them in her day - some people now find that offensive, but it's just an elderly woman trying to do the right thing.

If I actually offend you in anything I say, that's regrettable, and I'll likely apologise profusely, and mean it. If you choose to be offended by something I say, that's your problem not mine.

The history thing is interesting and I'll have to look into it, because I don't really know much about the history of blackface aside from Morris dancing (fine and nothing to do with race) and the black and white minstrels (awful)

My suspicion is that people who tend to black up, haven't really considered the history of black face.

I have a button pin, I really like, that came on a birthday card from my wife, that says "c***". I don't wear it out because, I'm aware that some people don't like the word, and I wouldn't want to p*ss people off who haven't done anything to offend me.

I do on occasion wear it at home, when I've got friends round who I know won't be upset - and well its my home. But in public, never.

Of course I can wear it, but I choose not to, ironically because I'm not a total c**t.

This pretty much sums up black face. Why risk offending people you don't know, just for a cheap laugh for your mates.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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The Wayans brothers love a dodgy film. Damon starred in another called The Great White Hype.

Optimistic as ever

And you think that pandering to people who just can't let things stay in the past is progressive?

At what point do you think that they will stop finding new things to be offended by?