White people dressing up in blackface for Halloween as their favorite rappers is always an uncomfortable thing. But it's even more uncomfortable when professional athletes do it because, well, they're professional athletes. They should know that them painting their faces black is going to cause some level of controversy. Yet, Raffi Torres (who is one of the NHL's few Hispanic players) of the Phoenix Coyotes took it upon himself to do it anyway when he showed up to a Halloween party over the weekend in blackface dressed up as Jay-Z.
His teammate Paul Bissonnette tried to play it down by tweeting, "As far as everyone trying to call 'Racism' because Raffi dressed up like Jay-Z can simmer down. He's a huge Jay-Z fan."
But, we say: If you're a huge Jay fan, then go to a Watch the Throne concert, dude. Don't paint your face black and go to a Halloween party dressed up like him. That's just not a good look. [via The Big Lead]
James October 31st, 2011 at 03:58 PM
Tell that to Dwayne Wade... White faced Justin Timberlake.. I didn't see anyone complaining and bickering over that! You can't have double standards when it comes to these sort of stuff. If this was the case, everyone should quit impersonating a native american, geisha, Egyptian, and etc. or they'll be deemed racist as well. It's a costume, get over it. People are such crybabies, why don't you cover something worth covering.. Lets see... There's a few wars going on, an Earthquake, suicide bomber, unemployment rate.... People need to stfu and laugh a little, no wonder why we're faltering as a country.
Victoria October 31st, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Did you write an article on it when Patrick Kane and Burish darkened their skin to protray Scotty pipen and Michael Jordan in 2009? Did you get offended by Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder. Do you ignore the fact that many First Nations people are offended by the Blackhawks logo? Just wondering....
superfizzo November 1st, 2011 at 10:53 PM
you are fucking stupid! stop being racist writing these articles. -black america.
Nick April 21st, 2012 at 05:00 PM
lol at the dude dressed as NASH in background