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.

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Apr 21st, 1:00 PM Apr 21st, 3:30 PM

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