You can’t defend blackface for cosplay.
I can’t talk for characters that are literally ink black in a fantasy setting, such as dark Link from Legend of Zelda or Snowman from Homestuck. I can’t talk about if that’s okay because I am very white. I’d appreciate some input from others on that subject later.
But what I’m talking about is characters that are obviously coded as not white. Like the Gerudo from Legend of Zelda or Atsuko from Michiko to Hachin. Who could pass as real people in our world with modern clothing.
At the end of that day you can wash that off and never deal with the racism that comes with it. Real life people’s skin tones is not a costume.
I do not care if you say ‘well it’s only for accuracy’ or you try to defend 'real blackface’ as being “a product of it’s time.” It was wrong then, it was wrong now, and you don’t have to paint your skin to portray the character if you get the key characteristics of their costume right (look at Homestuck again).
Blackface is never okay.
