Event Title
Systemic Racism of the UNICEF Germany's Ads Depicting Children in Blackface
Location
CSU 204
Start Date
21-4-2008 1:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2008 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Communication Studies
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Rachel M. Droogsma
Mentor's Department
Communication Studies
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
In the summer of 2007, UNICEF Germany released four ads containing the use of blackface. Neither the German population, nor UNICEF Germany found the use of blackface insulting or racist when in fact Americans, who have the history of blackface theater, were appalled at the display of white German children with mud on their faces portraying Africans. Through the use of Joe R. Feagin's theory of systemic racism, this paper rhetorically analyzed whether the UNICEF ads should be considered racist outside the American experience of blackfacing and blackface theater. The analysis revealed the UNICEF ads are racist under the systemic racism theory.
Systemic Racism of the UNICEF Germany's Ads Depicting Children in Blackface
CSU 204
In the summer of 2007, UNICEF Germany released four ads containing the use of blackface. Neither the German population, nor UNICEF Germany found the use of blackface insulting or racist when in fact Americans, who have the history of blackface theater, were appalled at the display of white German children with mud on their faces portraying Africans. Through the use of Joe R. Feagin's theory of systemic racism, this paper rhetorically analyzed whether the UNICEF ads should be considered racist outside the American experience of blackfacing and blackface theater. The analysis revealed the UNICEF ads are racist under the systemic racism theory.
Recommended Citation
Larson, April M.. "Systemic Racism of the UNICEF Germany's Ads Depicting Children in Blackface." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-07/6
