A comedian has faced backlash after posting an image of himself in what online users are calling ‘white face’.
There have been many controversial moments in the entertainment world for using paint and makeup to portray themselves as different races.
Even politicians have been called out for doing it too, but this latest scandal involves something a little more comprehensive and people aren’t sure how to feel.
On one hand, there are those on social media who are dubbing it as 'white face', while others think it’s nothing more than a funny joke based on US stereotypes.
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At the heart of it all, comedian and content creator Druski has come under fire.
The 30-year-old, real name Drew Desbordes, has always been known for his real-life memes and appearances at sporting events.
But his latest skit at NASCAR has triggered many.
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In a video uploaded to his social accounts, Druski took on the personal and looks of ‘That Guy who is just Proud to be AMERICAN’.
His costume includes white skin, a beard, light hair, tattoos of the American flag, a flagged cowboy hat and denim overalls.
Essentially, he looks like he’s trying to encapsulate a stereotypical patriotic man from the deep South - perhaps the Bible Belt area.
He was filmed singing Bruce Springsteen’s 'Born in the U.S.A.', drinking beers, sharing a cigarette with a woman he claimed was his ‘wife’ and even posed with a ‘fake family’ before he got to the stands.
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In the start of the video, he spits in front of a Black man while leaning against a car, suggesting he doesn't like Black people.
Then, he stops his car when seeing another Black man entering the event and asks if 'he's lost' after spitting at him twice.
While some were more impressed about his ability to transform himself with the use of makeup on X, others found the whole thing problematic.
One person wrote: “Give his makeup team a raise. Holy s***.”
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Another said: “That make up is something else.”
Those who were upset, were not afraid to call him out and claim that the whole skit reeks of racism, accusing him of ‘whitefacing’.
A third referenced Robert Downey Jr's blackface in 2008’s Tropic Thunder, saying: "This is some of the best makeup I’ve ever seen honestly lol, this is higher quality than RDJ in Tropic Thunder. I wonder how much this cost."
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A different user admitted: "I can’t believe this brother is almost pulling off this look lol. Usually that shit looks uncanny Valley AF."
Comedian Theo Vonn also responded, telling fans he wants his makeup done too.
“Wowwww. Anyone do hair and m/u? hit my dms. i feel a jheri curl coming on,” wrote the 45-year-old comedian on his X account.
However, Druski kept it all in his stride and even asked if the internet has ‘cancelled’ him now.
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Posting a follow-up clip to Instagram, he captioned the video in response to the backlash.
It said: “AM I CANCELLED ?????”.
The video was of him walking through a studio in a suit, cigarette in hand, with James Brown’s ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ as background music.
He also posted to his Instagram Stories asking, ‘Why is this on the news?’ after news stations covered the backlash.
Topics: Celebrity, Instagram, Social Media, Twitter, Racism
Britt Jones