Black women are justifiably sensitive to issues of colorism, identity and appropriation. But is there ever a time when the sensitivity inhibits expression?
That was the question when Vanessa Williams channeled glamorous old Hollywood actress Veronica Lake.
Actress Veronica Lake
Williams posted the image to her Instagram account with the caption;
#FF Channeling my inner #VeronicaLake. Repost @scottbarnes68
http://instagram.com/vanessawilliamsofficial
Williams’ look is the work of celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, and is part of a series he did, also transforming her into a darker-skinned woman.
The work of makeup artist Scott Barnes
Though it’s not always acknowledged, black and white women do borrow beauty inspiration from one other. It’s a tense exchange given white women’s penchant for taking beauty trends without crediting them to the source, and black women’s tendency to be labeled ‘self-hating’ for trying non-black beauty trends.
But is it always this simple? If the comments under Williams’ photo are any indication, it isn’t.
Many commenters expressed disappointment.
Others found the photo gorgeous, and defended Williams on the basis that she is bi-racial (which is inaccurate in terms of how Williams identifies.)
Williams’ parents both identify as African American.
Vanessa Williams’ parents
Vanessa Williams’ parents
In a 2013 LA Times article, Williams revealed that an ancestry test found her to be 23% from Ghana, 17% from the British Isles, 15% from Cameroon, 12% Finnish, 11% Southern European, 7% Togo, 6% Benin, 5% Senegal and 4% Portuguese.
As for whether this is whiteface, the question doesn’t seem relevant given that the purpose of blackface is to mock and, in some cases, erase African Americans. Williams clearly is doing neither.
Ladies, what are your thoughts?