With all the "Blackface" controversy we've seen in recent months, it's interesting to watch Nick Cannon and Nigerian popstar Dencia put their stamp on "Whiteface"....but is it comedy or self-hate? Speak On It......
For many months, we've seen numerous fashion mags use Blackface to promote products. Now, there are products being promoted via Whiteface. Over on Instagram, comedian/tv host Nick Cannon donned Whiteface and renamed himself Connor Smallnut to promote the release of his next cd White People Party Music (due April 1st).
He captioned, "It's official... I'm White!!!" Cannon captioned the pic. "#WHITEPEOPLEPARTYMUSIC #Wppm in stores April 1st!!!!!!Dude Go Get It!!!Join The Party!!!! #GoodCredit #DogKissing #BeerPong #FarmersMarkets #FistPumping #CreamCheeseEating #RacialDraft ‘Bro I got drafted!!'"
Meanwhile......
Dencia, a Nigerian-Cameroonian pop-star has been raising eyebrows for promoting a new skin bleaching cream named "Whitenicious." SIDEBAR: When Dencia began her career, she was the same complexion as Lil' Kim .#noshade. Dencia first come to our attention when she and Whitenicious were mentioned in the open letter Lupita Nyong'o read about her dark skin during the Essence luncheon. In her own defense, Dencia responded,
"I was not selling that message, the media are selling that message. I didn’t say, buy the cream and look like Dencia…I said seven day, fast acting dark spot remover. It’s called reading comprehension. If people missed that class then it’s not my fault. If they think that their whole body is a dark spot then fine, because that’s not how I feel."
But it seems--based on her current look--that's exactly how she feels.
While many people of color are upset by "Blackface", what about "Whiteface"? Is it funny when Nick Cannon does it? Is Dencia solely promoting self-hate?
SPEAK ON IT!
Photos via Nick Cannon's Instagram/Whitenicious ad