Re: Hippies in Blackface at the Fremont Solstice Parade? A New Poll!

City Re: Hippies in Blackface at the Fremont Solstice Parade? A New Poll!

Posted by Brendan Kiley on Tue, Jun 19, 2012 at 11:29 AM

The controversy continues! This morning, I got an email from Leslie Zenz, director of the Fremont Solstice Parade, who hoped to exonerate the group by saying this wasn't their first time:

Brendan and Philip:

While I do not know what the intention of this group was for the 2012 parade, I highly doubt from what I saw that their intention was to Blackface.

Last year, this same group attended in full black body paint with flowers, flip-flops, and umbrellas (see attached photo). I would like to respond only from my perspective here. What I am about to say is not necessarily the opinion of the Fremont Arts Council proper, should this get blown way out of proportion.

My understanding is that Blackface is a very intentional action where the wearer of black paint (most often accompanied by white eyes and exaggerated lips) is in direct mockery of African Americans.

That is not what I saw happening during the parade with this group. From the photo below, you'll see two of the women are blond and no effort has been made to give them corn rows, dreadlocks, or even darken the hair. Simply dancing to drum music (which was not a part of their ensemble, but a neighboring ensemble) and waiving about a spear-like object (which I did not see), does not an African person make. I am sorry [people were] offended. I am honestly surprised by this interpretation.

I have a longer perspective having witnessed this group the year before in black body paint. I will let the ensemble leader respond further on their intention with the performance.

Thank you for your honorable journalism in seeking out this response.

Leslie Zenz
Parade Director

And the photo:

And the new poll!

Blackface? Not blackface?

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