blackface

By Joel Ceausu

The Red Coalition anti-racism lobby groups is asking all Quebecers to just say NO to blackface.

With the onset of Black History Month, the coalition announced its campaign to end the practice, recalling that last year a controversy unfolded in the West Island of Montreal surrounding a puppet created by Quebec artist Franck Sylvestre.

With exaggerated features reminiscent of the blackface caricatures donned by white performers in the past, and widely recognized as an offensive stereotype, the Coalition said it has no place with children.

“While Mr. Sylvestre maintained that his puppet was a personal representation and an expression of artistic freedom, it sparked concerns among parents who found its portrayal offensive to the Black community,” according to a Coalition statement. “Consequently, this led to widespread criticism within the Black community and among educators.” At least one municipal performance of his show L’incroyable secret de barbe noire was cancelled as a result of the furor, and in another city the play went on but was removed from the Black History Month activity schedule.

“The Red Coalition supports the objections of the community and denouncing the puppet as a form of ‘Blackface’ emphasizing that it should not be shown to young children,” said RC founder Joel DeBellefeuille. The debate highlights the need to balance freedom of expression, age-appropriate content, and the well-being of young Black students, he says, and the situation calls for a re-evaluation of such props and puppets “to ensure it does not perpetuate offensive stereotypes and harm the affected community.”

Quebec Board of Black Educators president Alix Adrien agreed, stating “We and concerned parents and educators argue that certain expressions may not be suitable for young students, and that there is a societal responsibility to protect them from potentially offensive content.”

The blackface issue has arisen frequently in recent years, as local Quebec theatrical and year-end celebratory broadcasts occasionally feature white actors in blackface, as well as revelations of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s admitted, repeated penchant for donning black and brown face in his youth.

The Red Coalition is inviting everyone to join them in celebrating Black History Month 2024 “by championing inclusivity, equality, and racial justice” and is launching a petition against the practice of Blackface. The Canada-wide petition will be launched on https://redcoalition.ca/ n