Book review: BLACKFACE, Ayanna Thompson

Ayanna Thompson hopes that “this will be the last book we will ever need on blackface” and if it is, it’s a truly eye-opening, defiant, must-read; holding culture accountable for centuries of unforgivable behaviour. 

Sparked by her shock at seeing classmates of her young child dress up in blackface for a school project, Thompson begins by educating the reader on the origins and etymologies of blackface and blackface minstrelsy. Accessibility feels like a running theme throughout as Thompson constantly ties references to blackface to things we’re likely to have witnessed ourselves. From dressing-up at school to Laurence Olivier’s 1965 performance as Othello to Ben Stiller in Zoolander, we’re reminded that blackface has always surrounded us and that it’s never been acceptable. 

Thompson’s use of performance through the ages as a lens for scrutinising blackface is fascinating, reminding us that it’s sadly been an integral part of the history of performance in theatre and on screen. It’s not just the fact that it happened that is scrutinised but it’s the discourse surrounding it that Thompson holds up for inspection: the constant cry of ignorance from the perpetrators, or cries that it was justified ‘back then’. Thompson doesn’t need to encourage us away from these beliefs; their existence and our resultant horror is sufficient. 

The book is intriguing because it simply presents facts. It doesn’t need to do anything else. The facts are there and Thompson’s thoughtful commentary highlights the problems that have been endemic in society for centuries. Even in their attempts to mock blackface and call it out, white actors have still managed to emphasise its existence. This book is such a great education for anyone wanting to contribute to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement as it highlights the importance of rhetoric and understanding, admitting that something happened and that it wasn’t OK. 

Thompson’s concluding chapter is entitled I Can’t Breathe. George Floyd was killed halfway through the writing of this book and she recognises the link between the subject matter and the spark in the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. She notes that, even now, “performing blackness is still a white property” and hopes that the systemic attitude towards black lives can change, especially through educating and reflection. 

At the time of writing this review, Derek Chauvin has just been convicted of all three counts of murder and manslaughter against George Floyd. We hope that this is a monumental next step towards this being the last book on blackface the world ever needs. 

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Eliza Harris

Blackface by Ayanna Thompson will be published by Bloomsbury on 6 May, available here.