Human rights centre calls blackface at Šilutė event unacceptable

The Lithuanian Human Rights Centre has criticised an event in Šilutė, where a group dressed in black from head to toe to imitate Black people, LRT reported. The Šilutė district municipality also publicly shared photographs of the group.

The costumes were part of the International Fish Soup Cooking Championship in Šilutė. LRT contacted the municipality for comment but had not received a response.

“Blackface was used during this event, when a person changes their skin colour to portray a Black person,” the Lithuanian Human Rights Centre said in a Facebook post. It added that this was not an appropriate form of artistic expression or entertainment at a public event.

The centre said blackface was not simply painting one’s face a darker colour or an innocent costume. The practice dates back to 19th-century United States, when white performers painted their faces black and portrayed Black people on stage, often using exaggerated, degrading and racist stereotypes.

Such performances contributed to stereotypical portrayals and the dehumanisation of Black people, the centre said. Because of this historical context, blackface remains associated with racist history and the repetition of stereotypes rather than being a neutral costume or form of entertainment.

The centre said the intentions of performers or organisers were not the only relevant consideration. Even without an intention to offend, turning skin colour into part of a costume or character could reinforce the idea that another person’s racial identity was suitable for imitation and entertainment.

Organisers of public events should assess not only what they intend to convey but also the historical and social context of their chosen form of expression and its potential impact, the centre said. Cultural diversity can be presented creatively and respectfully without imitating the appearance of people of another race.