This Colombian Journalist’s Blackface Costume Is Pissing People Off
Andreina Solórzano, a Colombian news anchor for CM& in Bogotá, is facing a backlash after posting a controversial Halloween photo to her Instagram.
This is the photo of news anchor Solórzano that made several people on social media upset.
“Halloween is about being who you want to be. Today we are a people of good quality and pure delightfulness. #PureLove #AlejosHalloweenParty,” Solórzano wrote on the original post.
Several people called her out via Twitter and Instagram.
After seeing some of the comments, Solórzano took to Instagram to defend her costume.
“To all of the ‘haters’ that don’t know me nor understand that me dressing black, like that, in BLACK, boldly is nothing but an honor and tribute to those who are a part of a town full of history, of struggles, and it is also of spirit, strength and pure delightfulness, you all are the actual racists,” Solórzano wrote in her Instagram post. (Her Instagram page is now private.) “Why don’t you judge the people who dress like Chinese people or of other races? [It’s] because you all have the same racist gene. I do this happily because today I had an excuse to be who I wanted to be, not just today, but always. I have liked my black people whom I love, respect and admire. Morrongos. In a country where there is a Carnaval de Negros y Blancos to celebrate equality, and where in Barranquilla, without distinction, they dress as black women and black men. [The] outfits reflect the same history that has made them part of the town and this who make this a negative expression have to be stupid. I don’t care what you think, my intentions were good. The rest, screw yourselves.”
Some people were not happy about her explanation, and defense, of her costume.
https://twitter.com/MiQL/status/790276211670855680
For many people, Solórzano’s makeup and costume are a painful reminder of blackface in the U.S.
Some people who didn’t agree with her costume choice attempted to see the other side of the argument.
https://twitter.com/MiQL/status/790268024678776832
Some people pointed out that Colombia’s history with blackface is different than that of the U.S.
https://twitter.com/_vignt_/status/790175082517827584
https://twitter.com/_thalula_/status/790096323378831360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The celebration ends with people wearing black face the second to last day and then white face the last day to symbolize unity and solidarity.
https://twitter.com/pettykittenn/status/790251341792829444
And the difference is deeply cultural and rooted in a way of expression.
https://twitter.com/pettykittenn/status/790298513192214528
https://twitter.com/MiQL/status/790276211670855680
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