How strange. Little children who are not race conscious must be made race conscious by their parents if we are ever to bring an end to racism?
What ever happened to "if it ain't broke don't fix it"?
9
My son and I are white. He and I are both really looking forward to seeing this movie this weekend. If he wants to dress up as Black Panther for next Halloween, I'll be fine with that. It really doesn't matter to me what other people may think, whether they're black or white. If my son is going to learn NOT to be racist, he first has to learn that black superheros are just as accessible to him as white ones. BTW, he also wears a Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers baseball jersey to his predominantly white school here in South Carolina.
8
Kwame Opam not quite correct in stating that Marvel has "has brought on prominent black writers including Ta-Nehisi Coates to deepen its significance over the last 50 years."
Black Panther first black writer didn't come on board until 1998. Panther has had three black writers, Christopher J. Priest, Reginald Hudlin, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Priest, the first (and arguably the most influential) of these, did not started his tenure on Black Panther in 1998.
Up until Priest's run began, the writers most associated with the Black Panther were all white men—Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and especially Don McGregor (who wrote the majority of solo Black Panther stories between 1973 and 1991). Jack Kirby also wrote and drew twelve issues of a Black Panther series in 1977-1978.
Three black artists did some illustration work on the various Panther series: Billy Graham penciled eleven issues during the first McGregor run as writer, and artist Dwayne Turner penciled the McGregor mini-series "Panther's Prey", and Denys Cowan penciled the four-issue 1988 Black Panther mini-series.
4
Since just about everybody quoted in the article seems to think it's ok for white children to dress up as the Black Panther, perhaps we don't need to deem this such a big controversy after all.
7
I think we're getting too politically correct about any kind of appropriation. In the 1940s I, a girl, dressed up as Tom Corbett, Space Cadet & in the 1950s as Davy Crockett. Children should be allowed to live their dreams.
14
The headline of this article is misleading. It appears that no one, when asked, actually seemed to have a problem with white kids wanting to dress up as a black superhero.
5
Wow, White folks have lit the comments section up like their hair is on fire because of a few lines in a mediocre piece about race.
“White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States, where white is the majority, whereas as a black person you don’t”
To quote an interest meme - You mad? * with side eye and smirk* I don't understand why. It's still the truth no matter how many times you try to trash it here.
As you tell Blacks all the time, get over it.
1
Hmmmm, appropriation you say? Stan Lee is white. Black Panther's very existence is culturally appropriated.
3
This article was disappointing. I was expecting an interesting and illuminating spiritual interpretation of the mask itself from an African culture perspective, not a race issue.
5
The term 'mask' is being used differently here. They are not talking about the object but the mask as something that worn to conceal or disguise-i'e the masks everyone wears when it comes to race.
Quit projecting your racial issues onto innocent little kids. Maybe the next generation won't grow up to be so hateful and divided.
11
My DNA swab came back. Turns out I’m 17% African. Can I watch 23 minutes and 29 seconds of of the 2 hours and 15 minute runtime?
5
"'White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States..."
I'mma stop you right there. There are ten references to white skin colour in this article worrying about what white people are allowed to do in the United States.
Some self-awareness is needed here, please.
8
I'd like to see the data that states kids notice race at a young age. Mine didn't, and I don't see that in the play grounds or class rooms I've visited. Perhaps the author meant to say 'schools are teaching race now' and kids are noticing. Don't understand the penchant to bring in race in just about every conversation raised in the NYTimes, and our public school systems. But, I do wonder... if a white person dresses up as the Black Panther hero for Halloween at Yale, will the kids demand the ouster of some of the professors or demand that they take that costume off?
6
And we'd like to hear how you knew that your children didn't notice race.
Most children can tell the difference between skin colors, yours didn't notice? It's one thing to say that they didn't treat people differently because of it, it's quite another to say that they didn't notice it.
1
I am delighted at the prospect of a hugely popular movie that takes place in a gorgeous and thrilling African country. It doesn't matter that it's a fictional place. It is an El Dorado full of technological brilliance, adventure, and gripping stories with mythological underpinnings. I have taught African literature and seen up close the extraordinary ignorance among Americans about the African continent. Even people who are highly educated have no idea of the depth and breadth of African literature. That's not the Africa they see in popular culture.
The concept of cultural appropriation is well-meaning but misguided. When you look closely at it you can see that it's based on a benighted vision of cultural purity. It ignores syncretism: the way that we absorb other ideas and practices to the extent that their origin is less important than their character.
Children don't have the same ideas about race that we do. They don't know the history. And speaking of history, you don't have to talk to young kids about conquest and imperialism. They have plenty of time to learn about that later.
11
Cultural appropriation? Sorry to say the Black Panther is white culture. Marvel Comics is white suburban culture. Black Panther was one of the many characters in the Marvel Universe. Thats what it is.
This piece is downright bizarre. Perhaps let things be like every other ethnic group (you would label me Hispanic. Im American, Not Hispanic) does and perhaps some assimilation would occur.
16
And the beat goes on...
Politically correct immature nonsense just gets dumber and dumber.
Every minute of every day, the perpetually offended are waiting to be offended, being offended or just got offended.
18
When I was ten years old in 1975 I was Chuck Foreman for halloween. He was my hero. He was a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, and he is black. Yes I had the jersey, shoulder pads, helmet, and blackface. I would not be allowed to celebrate my hero today according to the PC cops.
12
It's a kid in a costume.
Based on a movie.
Based on a comic strip.
Kids that want to be the Black Panther don't care about the "dual significance" of a costume. Nor do they worry about the "unwitting form of cultural appropriation."
This only only in the minds of people that push identity politics.
26
Do we as white people really need to worry about if it is ok to dress our kids as the Black Panther for Halloween? I mean really? Black people are waiting and watching for cultural appropriation of a Marvel SuperHero? NOPE. I don't think that is even on the radar of the average person white or black.
11
It's mostly media libs who are uptight about kids going post-racial. Expectant parents can do the most to raise a post-racial child by developing out cross-racial friendships, and exposing their baby from birth to a social environment where a variety of adult faces become the infant's social reality. The first 3 months are essential. Introduce the baby to a post-racial social order right off the bat, and there will be few questions or stray impulses to deal with later. Forget about whether your parents did this for you....that was then, this is now.
Draw attention AWAY from racial identity, and toward actionable choices humans make. I have a dream...that one day writers and editors at NYT will cross off from their list of "conflict narratives" racial conflict. If they must juice up the audience with exaggerated conflict theatrics, choose ones over which individuals have actual choices, what post-racials talk about as "actionables". Put aside conflict narratives drawning upon immutables, such as race, ethnicity, and gender.
8
How is this cultural appropriation? Black Panther was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - 2 white guys. It's not a cultural identity - it's a fictional identity...it's a make-believe super hero. I say let kids dress up as whoever they look up to.... let kids be kids.
15
I'm looking forward to seeing a little girl wearing a Black Panther mask for Hallowe'en....with her tutu.
11
I feel bad for kids who want to dress up as the Black Panther but can’t because they have parents who are party poopers. What on earth is wrong with kids of any color wanting to represent another culture by wearing a costume? Let them be kids, lots of time in the future to over think everything.
14
In fairness, this moment of pride should be reserved for African Americans. No others should attend showings or buy related products.
3
I don't understand how the illustration heading this story reflects the content of the essay.
5
Let’s next discuss if my Jordans and Steph Curry jersey are offensive because I’m white. I wonder if it’s possible to go so far left that you loop back around to the fringe right, where every race needs to be separated into its own space.
NYT needs to support conversations on race, and articles like this do a disservice to that by making it way too easy to roll your eyes at the subject.
8
"White people have the privilege of not being reminded of their race"
Seriously, how did this past the laugh test? Having a rough day, glad the Time's could give me something to chuckle over.
9
I see "Black Panther," and I think "free Bobby Seale." That message was spray painted all over Cannery Row when I arrived in California in 1972.
Now that the fear factor has worn off the Black Panthers they are entitled to a fictional hero called Black Panther. Hope he serves breakfast to poor kids, too.
"White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States.."
lol!
7
More liberal race baiting. You all point the finger at Americans and scream rasist. Remember, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you.
4
You just "appropriated" a Mark Knopfler lyric.
I would like like to thank NYT for writing this article, I am thanking you because this really does show the tips of your race dividing racist agend. This shows just how far from reality you leftists have wondered and mostly it shows the he race issue in America is coming from. MLK would be discussted by this trash.
5
Prediction: Around Halloween, we'll get an editorial complaining that not enough white children are dressing up as Black Panther.
12
Somebody actually took their time to write this...absolutely pathetic.
7
I'm not going to read this article. Anyone who criticizes people for playing dress up based on their skin color is an abhorrent race mongering fool.
7
And if you had actually read the article, you would have found that the black people actually associated with this film don't seem to have a problem with white kids dressing up as a black superhero.
1
What if a young black male wants to dress up like Wonder Woman???
6
A white kid who idolizes and identifies with a black character is a white kid that will grow up to an adult who empathizes with blacks and is anti-racist.
Hooray for cultural appropriation!
8
Dear NYT: you are out of your collective minds publishing such garbage.
Money quote: "White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States". The crazy left does this every day!
8
A yes, the progressive who now argue that racial segregation is good because people need to be sensitive...
I hate your microaggression theory and the cultural appropriation BS that comes with it(except if' its about defending culture from Corporations, NEVER EVER individuals you bigots.
I hate your intersectionality theory that drive's people to act just like neo-nazis, like wishin for an entire race to be genocide for christmas. Depending on what race you wish to be genocide, you are either embrace by the progressives or the alt righ with embrace you.. i find both sides pretty disgusting.
And how about your gender constructivist theory? you do realize that it goes against much strong biological, developmental, and evolutionary evidence right? i mean people in my extremely conservative nation are using that theory to oppose gay marriage, just because the theory claims people get to choose their sexual preference, so now LGBT in non first world nations are screwed because first world nations communities decided they wanted everyone to see the world to their dogmatic eyes, and now push against the very obvious effect of biology on human behavior.
Please... just stop, this is throwing fuel to the trumpkins... just stop.
4
Not an issue until the Race Baiters and Self-Loathers cooked it up.
8
The concept of "cultural appropriation" is just another artificial construct used by racists, and sexists, to further racial and gender discord in our society. The truth is that humans are pack animals. Our instincts dictate that we form cohesive groups to increase our chances of survival. This is why "immersion" is the best way of learning a foreign language. If dropped into a new culture, we will instinctually seek to assimilate just as the new culture will seek to incorporate the best our culture.
6
Claims of cultural appropriation function for the left the way that claims about conspiracies function for the right. It's not hard to see why.
1. There's no apparent need to provide real evidence of the alleged event or action. Innuendo will do fine.
2. There's no intellectual or scholarly support for either one. On the contrary, the people who study such claims usually do so only to try to understand why they have such a hold on some minds.
3. The claims have a built in defense mechanism. Don't buy the talk of the birther conspiracy? That's because "they" got to you already. Don't take claims about cultural appropriation seriously? Well that just shows how far from woke you are.
4. Both work to silence critical thinking through rhetorical intimidation. If you take issue with a conspiracy theory related to what goes on in the basement of a certain pizzeria, you're vulnerable to the charge that you condone child abuse. If you take issue with a claim about cultural appropriation, you're setting yourself up for an accusation that you support colonialism, oppression, offensive stereotypes, and "othering."
5. Lastly, both generate clicks, which leads to the self-sustaining micro-economy of HuffPo/NYT, Fox, and social media. Self-sustaining, and ultimately, self-defeating.
4
You can't be serious. Kids of all sizes, shapes and colors have been pretending to be Superman (progenitor of all this) for decades. Black Panther is a comic hero, not a political statement.
6
Unwitting cultural appropriation? Cultural appropriation is not illegal, unethical or immoral. Before the mental illness of liberalism became rampant in this country, cultural appropriation was what we used to refer to as the melting pot of America. Cultural appropriation is also protected under the first amendment as freedom of speech.
4
Finally something everyone, except maybe sociology professors from our broken university system, can agree on. Everyone loves this movie, loves the positive theme and message, thinks it's a great idea, wants to be part of it.
Except for "progressives", who want to remind us that their dystopian vision of safe spaces and affinity groups and staying "woke" is the only acceptable way to think about this. Guess what? We -- and I mean WE in the broadest possible sense -- don't want any part of your toxic nonsense.
3
I think the problem is when white parents miss the opportunity to speak to their children about racism and racial inequality, instead simply giving in to the "I want I get" of the children. I would probably let my little boy dress up, but we would speak about the importance of POC seeing people like them in movies being heroes, not sidekicks or comic relief. We would talk about how our whiteness gives us an unfair and unearned advantage and how we needed to be aware of this and account for it. Then I would let him (or my daughter but she is older and uninterested) dress up as his hero and get the baddies to his hearts content.
7
"White people have the privilege of not being reminded of their race"? Except in every issue of the NYT, on-line, movies, college campuses, and every single news story. You have got to be kidding me. "Kill all the whites" is chanted by BLM mobs in every single riot. How can you avoid it?
7
Racial makeup was never a central theme to Superman or Ironman. They're white but they just as easily could been African-American or an entirely different species.
"Africanism" is an important part of the Black Panther's identity. He will be the first African-American hero an entire generation of African-American children will be able to see star in a blockbuster movie. White people need to tread with caution here.
I love the MCU but am purposefully waiting a couple of weeks to see this movie. It's a very, very small price to pay to ensure that any PoC who wants to see a non-white superhero save the world gets an opportunity to do so. There are more than enough movies featuring a white superhero to keep me busy in the meantime.
I would encourage all white parents to act thoughtfully this Halloween season. The Black Panther is an undeniably cool superhero but to the African-American population he represents a lot more than that.
1
I am sharing this because I just can’t decide if the article is at all necessary. My blond blue eyed grandson could not wait to be black panther for Halloween last year. His parents did not question his choice they just bought the costume and he wore it with pride and confidence. He was the hit of the costume parade at his school. A hero is a hero and black or white or any other color the hero’s journey is the same. Allow the culture and society to just take this in before you start the deconstruction.
7
Its somewhat a form of cultural appropriation. People might be too sensitive, but the black panther does have a meaning and historical background. Just because it has turned into a movie doesn't mean it has no significance. The black panther was apolitical movement to protect their people. During the time the movement was happening it was to protect their families from all the horrible things that were happening to African Americans. It's JUST and outfit and superhero for the people that don't understand or know the meaning and power behind it. Its not like superman and batman. Superman and Batman have no historical meaning but a made up story to entertain.
4
Wakanda isn’t real.
7
So two things wrong with this argument:
1. The creation of the comic character Black Panther predates the actual political creation of the Black Panthers by several months. Just a bit of a coincidence, actually, that they have the same name. And, the creators of the character, while extremely well intentioned, and certainly very in-tune with what was going on culturally at the time (late 1960s), were themselves, white men.
2. Superman, actually, does have a deeper historical meaning for marginalized people, although he is a much older character and a lot of that has been lost over time. He was created by Jewish artists, who were children of immigrants, and had many themes specific to them which had particular special appeal to those groups during his most popular years. especially during WWII.
3
shhhh, don't tell her.
This is ridiculous. I am white and as a kid I was collecting Black Panther comics and every appearance of B.P. in any comic back in the 70's because I wanted to be like him! I still have those comics. He was the coolest! This is when i was 11- 12 ish. - B.P. is still one of my favourite heroes and always will be. I also loved Spiderman - I also loved Bruce Lee and had posters of him all over my walls. Kids see cool and positive influence, not race. Good grief!
14
We really, really lose something when we "grow up".
2
This is just gate-keeping propaganda. Kids should feel fine dressing up as whoever they want to. Just as a black kids dress up Captain America or Batman, white kids should dress up as Black Panther. Stop using cultural appropriation as a one-way street and an excuse to gate-keep. The release of this movie should be celebrated that kids of ALL cultures have a strong black role-model to look up to.
7
I am sorry but comic book Super Heroes regardless of color or race are NOT role models. They are NOT real. Children need REAL role models they can actually aspire to be, not some guy from Krypton who can bend steel and fly.
2
It is frustrating that parents don't want to talk to children about Western imperialism. it is not being taught in schools, why not teach it at home? you are living in a colonized society, so are your children. the treaties that allow you to live here are being broken daily by environmental assaults. African countries were colonized, pillaged and struggle post de-colonization to right their country after their culture, religion and language were nearly destroyed. instead we look at Native Americans and Africans as a poverty stricken people without questioning our own role, past and present, in the tyranny of imperialism, in the theft of their wealth and resources. please educate yourselves and your children about these issues, because they will not be taught this information in school.
5
My children have been learning about imperialism, world affairs, trade policy, and local and national politics since they were two or three. This is all we talk about over meals. Weird family I know but well informed and opinionated children. I don't think they are special or unique in that way but I'm no expert. Six kids from 11 to 45.
2
Virtually every piece this planet has been conquered and re-conquered multiple times by some nation, tribe, kin group or religious grouping. Welcome to Planet Earth. It can be nasty here.
5
How could little children with different skin colors be expected to idolize the same heroes? What do you folks think this country is...a melting pot???
6
First off cultural appropriation is what civilization rests on. Einstein said it best. we stand on the shoulders of giants. There is nothing new under the sun. Just new uses.
Second, whose culture is being appropriated? The corporate culture of Marvel? The ethnic culture of the two Jewish creators? Or the native Africans who have nothing to do with it?
5
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants."
~ Isaac Newton: Letter to Robert Hooke (15 February 1676)
And most agree that it was said ironically.
Seriously?! Are there limitations on who can dress up like Superman or Catwoman?
10
A lot of comments warn not to make this a racial issue. But it was made a racial issue when yesterday's op ed celebrated a cartoon--a cartoon! --as the racial messiah of black culture. Please. That's like erecting a statute to Tonto as a Native American icon.
4
I agree with the author that there is a lot of structural inequality in our society. I disagree the best way to teach children about it is under the lens of cultural appropriation. Children are passionate about injustice -- which is at the core of Wakanda -- a country which decided to hide rather than be exploited for its people and natural resources, an exploitation based on "othering." So many of us are "othered;" so many of us need continual education in order to stop unconscious rejection of those not like us. Better to start early. PS -- the wonder of this film isn't just about the Black Panther -- Wakanda has a female general, a female military, and a female engineering genius. I can't wait.
2
It's obsession with nonsense like this that perpetuates racial division.
26
It's obsession with nonsense like this that creates racial division.
1
It would be unremarkable to conclude that a superhero film starring the Black Panther character is going to fire the imagination of children from all walks of life.
Struggling to see how this is cultural appropriation... Stan Lee, the author, is white. The characters are black. I think we should all agree that this, like all culture, actually belongs to everyone.
10
It's a comic book character. It's not part of anyone's "culture" and therefore can't be misappropriated, anymore that Superman, Batman, or any other superhero can be "misappropriated" by a child who just happens to not have the identical skin tone to the comic book character.
6
Before Halloween 2016, the costume catalogs were advertising a Black Panther costume, and my 6-year-old white son decided then and there he wanted to be Black Panther for Halloween. A lengthy discussion ensued on my social media account about whether a white kid wearing that costume was cultural appropriation. In almost every case, my white friends (especially those in academics) were concerned about cultural appropriation, and my black friends thought the kid should dress up as Black Panther if he wanted as long as there was no blackface involved. I am thrilled that this article came out. FWIW my son has remained fascinated with the character and is now starting to learn more about the story. He is counting down the days til we see the movie.
9
I am going to let you in on a little secret you can tell your white friends: You can't appropriate a culture that is NOT REAL. Do your friends in academia think it improper for black children to appropriate the culture of the planet Krypton? At least you black friends seem to understand the difference between make believe and fantasy. God forbid we have a black Harry Potter,..the horror. /sarc off.
1
This is eyeroll inducing. It is amazing to me that people have taken the idea of cultural appropriation to such extremes.
48
I don't think 'people' have; just the media and a few folks living in Hollywood. Alright, maybe a lot of folks living in Hollywood.
1
The article was ok, but I was upset about the illustration. Why is the boy sad? b/c the toys are sold out and the last on apparently bought by a smiling white boy and his perfect white mommy? If this is ture, this drawing is equating SES with race and that's not true.
Also, this boy already has Black Panter clothes? and why does the mom of the sad little boy, have to be wearing African garb? I've seen
African-American (our Black) and African women wear this, but I also see them with their kids wearing regular "western" wear. I'm from Egypt, you couldn't tell by my clothes.
Finally, why do we see the pretty, engaged white mom, but the black/african mom is just a piece and apparently not engated w/her upset boy.
42
What is SES? I even Googled it, I have no idea what you are referring to with it.
1
I noticed the illustration too, and would echo your points. Seemed tacky to put the black mom in Kente cloth- as if she was a member of congress or something- talk about cultural theft!
But I think the message of the illustration is that black people always will be the victim, they always will be sad and that white people are always unknowingly hurting black people.
This kind of stuff thrills the editors of the NYT and their white liberal readers- they can't get enough.
1
Socioeconomic status I believe.
The Black Panther character was created by a Jewish artist. Why impose artificial, "cultural" limitations? Art in all forms should belong to everyone!!
25
White kids wearing the costume of an imaginary black person, made up by a couple of Jewish guys drawing comic books might be engaged in cultural appropriation?
Clearly, we have reached peak stupid.
87
Cue the comments that misuse the term "cultural appropriation" in 3, 2, 1...
I guess a White Panther outfit might seem inappropriate?
3
Who's allowed to wear a Superman costume?
9
I remember, when I was a child, the moment I realized Willie Mays was black. And I still wanted to be him.
16
same with me, and Walter Payton .....
So the NYTimes now allows kids to be kids.
I was worried. What a relief.
5
Yes, the cultural elite now gets to decide what children across the country are allowed to wear as Halloween costumes.
If you notice though the article maintained quite a bit of wiggle room ("it isn't inherently offensive") for our betters to decide tomorrow that it is, in fact, racist for white children to wear the costume.
3
While the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, the cultural appropriation argument at times seems to posit that any destination arrived at by even a slight diversion from a narrow cultural path is necessarily infernal. Myself, I'm glad that Elvis learned the blues, Ray Charles played country and Leontyne Price took up opera. As long as the costumes are respectful and avoid things like blackface, why would there be a problem?
37
Racism is sneaky, and wears many masks...we teach our children by our actions.
1
A 6 year old white kid in a BPanther costume stands menacingly in front of a white adult, pretends to growl and say "I'll claw you!" Cute! Darling!
A 6 year old black kid in a BP costume pretends to menace a white adult: "I'll claw you!" Thug-in-training.
4
Please, NYT editors, enough with the tortured identity politics. It’s a Hollywood movie.
60
Children. Children are allowed to wear super hero masks without judgement. Adults "should" be allowed to wear super hero masks too, I mean, they shouldn't, for the same reasons they shouldn't wear shirts with writing on them, because, you know, adulting?
3
“White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States"... um, what United States is this? The United States of Fantasyland?
35
Honestly, I was just reminded of my race (and super-privilege) while reading this article.
2
White people might be reminded of their race in an NYT Op-Ed or a news cast, but it doesn't typically happen in the workplace or on the street or when interacting with the police or at the movies, etc. That said, of course white children should be able to dress as Black Panther, but white people clearly have to confront race less often on a daily basis than any other racial group in this country.
3
I attended a catholic high school and have a jewish last name. I was constantly "reminded" of my jewish heritage in spite of being raised as a Christian so I appreciate your POV. However this fantasyland has allowed for great achievement prosperity and advancement for people of all types. Perhaps focus on what we have vs what you would like to have. I tell that to my children all the time
1
Allowed? - Who are y o u?
3
My Cuban-Vietnamese son with the Catalan name already has a Captain America mask, and he wants a Black Panther one, too. Exactly which of these, to him, represents cultural appropriation? Please make sure you explain in terms a three-year-old can understand.
33
one white kid wanting to play as black panther because he or she thinks that black panther is cool is worth more than all the lectures you can give. that kid has already internalized the end point of where you want to be. let's not attach any explanations as an essential to the simple act of choice by a kid in this specific situation. the choice itself is powerful enough.
23
Please don't make this into a racial issue. My black son was Spiderman for Halloween and carried a white Batman goodie container. We are black and don't intend to tell his best friend, who is white, that he can't wear a Black Panther t-shirt or Halloween mask.
47
Hmm, it seems that the consensus answer is "anyone". Why do we need an article about something so obvious?
5
Anyone is. Literally. Anyone.
Please stop with identity politics. It has already given us Trump.
35
People are really putting a lot of weight on a single movie to carry. There is going to be disappointment, I fear.
6
"ALLOWED" what a poor choice of words. I am tired of being reminded that I am white and therefore only "allowed" to say certain things or buy certain products. I certainly would not want to culturally appropriate anything. Lighten up folks its a MOVIE!!!
11
I can't believe there's an article about this.
Who's "allowed"???? Kids don't think like this. They see something they like, and that's what they go for. My 8 year old son, who's a sports fanatic, has never once asked me why there are so many black players in the NBA and so few in the NHL. To him, they're all great athletes, and he'll just as soon wear a Lebron jersey as he would an Ovechkin jersey. It astounds me how so many well-meaning people strive for a world where we're all colour-blind, and yet, they jump at every opportunity to categorize and parse up every little thing by race and colour and gender. If a kid - black, white, Chinese, Indian, whatever - wants to be Black Panther, let 'em. Who cares???
18
Great illustration.
This article has officially made me switch from democrat to republican.
15
I wish we had a viable third choice. I don't want to be either a republican or a democrat.
Maybe I'll be a superhero instead. Are girls "allowed" to don a male superhero mask? I'd love to see a little Anglo girl a Black Panther mask for Halloween.
2
Halloween is eight months away, although I give credit to "our columnist" for trying to extract some racial currency from a superhero mask.
4
Or you could just let kids pretend and play by constructing games and fantasies based on what is, quite literally, a comic book. I rolled my eyes so hard while reading this article that I have myself a headache...
9
My 9 year old white son is super excited for this movie and has been bugging to be taken since he saw the first trailer. And yes, there is going to be a short discussion about why Wakanda is so special. Colonialism might be over his head yet, but he has noticed that his African American friends do get treated a bit differently in certain circumstances. It is a slow building process, but I hope it will make him a better man.
4
Why does there have to be a discussion. Why can't you let him just watch the film? You are letting the NYT play with your head.
2
This makes me sad. I was a little white girl who wanted to grow up to be a Harlem Globetrotter. It didn't happen: for one thing, I'm too short. But was it "wrong" for me to idolize the team? I hope not.
8
I don't see why this is even a question. I have no problem with kids OR adults of any race dressing as Thor, even though the character is based on Norse myth. If Black Panther is based on a celebration of black culture, then the costume is a part of the celebration and it is appropriate even for white kids to wear it if they wish.
9
It is a question because the cultural elite must ensure that white people are continuously reminded of their guilt and their need to seek absolution and acceptance by minorities for all their thoughts and actions.
2
The title to this article asks and demands an answer. "Who's Allowed to Wear a Black Panther Mask?" Answer: anyone who identifies with and is inspired by the Black Panther's strength, courage, and noble character. How long must America suffer under the burden of self-appointed cultural arbitrators, known to the masses only as as "they", who demand the still unwritten rules of appropriation require that whites somehow obtain permission from other unnamed arbitrators before honoring the works of people of color. Naturally, "they" are nowhere to be found under any inverse circumstance where people of color "appropriate" art and culture created by and which demonstrably reflects white identity. Not that you could find a white person who is concerned, but there you have it. This is a recipe for inter-cultural division and covetousness, both of which are petty human behaviors which advance nothing and corrode everything they touch.
Case in point: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole will be forever remembered for his hauntingly beautiful interpretation of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I truly believe the Jewish trio of composer Harold Arlin, lyricist Yip Harburg, and performer Judy Garland would have been deeply honored that their seminal contribution to American film so deeply moved young Israel, who then re-introduced their masterpiece to millions of people of color. The great, unnamed "they"would do well to take note. This is how we heal. This is how we demonstrate love for one another.
16
I see that the title of the article was changed from "Who's Allowed to Wear a Black Panther Mask?".
I guess that got people riled up. It made me sad: childhood innocence is short-lived enough!
9
Why is this even a question? Are we as a country looking to start a new wave of segregation? This hyper sensitivity to race is on the way to doing more harm than good.
17
To be honest I think wypipo should be barred from even entering theaters to watch that movie. Let's make it clear they aren't welcome and that identifying to or appropriating black heroes is simply a display of white supremacy.
3
I'm tri-racial, part of which is Polynesian, and when Moana was the hot new movie I was looking forward to seeing kids of all different races dressing as Moana and Maui. Polynesian culture and history suddenly had these very tangible heroes for kids to embrace.
Then a bunch of writers (who were mostly NON-Polynesian themselves) began calling it cultural appropriation. Soon, our neighborhood's kids moved on to other heroes whom they were "allowed" to idolize.
Such an opportunity destroyed.
I get targeted by racist people, and I was once even falsely arrested, but I'm really grateful that when I was a little girl I learned that good people and bad people can come in ANY race. That matters. It's given me the lifelong gift of feeling empowered rather than marginalized. It's also given me the opportunity to develop true friendships across racial lines.
Children often absorb much more nuance than most people believe. If they're taught (either explicitly or by psychological osmosis) that they can only identify with heroes of their own race, then that's going to make it much harder for them to empathize with people of different races in real life.
Children should have the opportunity to imagine themselves as whichever superhero captures their admiration, and to learn that all races come with good people and bad people.
27
Back in the early 70's, I was a white kid growing up in a rural white area who loved watching the variety show hosted by Tony Orlando and Dawn. And so when a friend had a party where we were supposed to dress up as a celebrity, I picked Dawn (who was the name for Tony Orlando's *two* African American backup singers). It's embarrassing now that I didn't know either of their real names, but I wanted to be the tall girl, who I now know is Telma Hopkins. My parents didn't bat an eye and helped me find a fancy dress, but the other kids were a little confused. It is my earliest memory of race being a thing to think about. It seems to me that young kids won't see race or color until they're smacked with it by the world, and at that point, you'll have to sit down and try to explain.
12
Sometimes a costume is just a costume.
I find it hard to believe people are actually ringing their hands over this. If you had a daughter who wanted to dress up like an astronaut, would you first lecture her on gender inequality and make sure she understood the history of the feminist movement or would you just give her the costume?
Kids grow up far too fast already. Just be glad the kid doesn't want to dress up like Freddy Krueger and leave it alone.
49
Agree. Reminds me of the hysterics when little girls wanted to dress up like Pocahontas after the Disney movie.
8
It's harder to believe that the NYT would actually allow valuable space for this nonsense.
Just when I think the NYT can't sink any lower...
2
My son dressed up as Black Panther a couple of years ago. Black Panther is his favorite superhero and he is so excited about the new movie. He is 10 now. He still does not see race or color and I hope he stays that way.
23
People wear sports jerseys of players they like all the time regardless of the player and wearer's race. My sons, both of European American ancestry, have worn LeBron James's uniform for Halloween. It was a good costume celebrating the best player in the league.
21
Everyone should be able to! It’s ridiculous to say a white child couldn’t wear a Black Panther costume! I say this as a Black mom of a biracial little girl who is convinced she either Kylo Ren or Darth Vader depending on the day you ask. I would be furious if someone told my daughter she really couldn’t be Kylo Ren since she isn’t a murderous emo boy filled with inner conflict and rage (ok she has the rage). Isn’t that the whole reason behind these costumes for kids to have fun with make believe to delve into another personality. To pretend you have their powers their coolness? To say white kids cant be black panther is the same as saying girls can’t dress up as Captain America or Kylo. Not everything has to be a teaching moment. Sometimes a white kid dressing up as black panther is just that a white kid playing dress up and having fun. Although I do tell my five year old to turn away from the dark side and don’t kill your father.
102
Made me smile.
2
Best NYT comment ever. I want to be your friend. Your daughter is lucky to have a mom with a sense of humor, and your husband is lucky that you've got his back. I hope he has better luck than Han Solo.
4
At age 10 I was vaguely aware that my biracial friends weren't liked, but I did not become aware of or see racial differences until I was about 12. On the flip side I was acutely aware that my gender was a limiting factor at age 10.
I tried to think about telling transgender girls that they couldn't dress as Sleeping Beauty, and then I realized that women do push away transgenders and claim being female as their exclusive property.
The idea of cultural appropriation is an incredibly thin line and limited in its application. Collectively we own our society with all its flaws, and DNA testing has had a way of showing us our connectedness rather than our separateness. As tempting as it is, censoring on the basis of genetics is discrimination no matter who is drawing the line.
I am very glad that no one tried to teach me about race at age 10 - although I do wish our history lessons had been more honest and inclusive.
9
Everyone is....
Unless prohibited by law, statute or written code of conduct.
10