Beyonce Darkens Her Skin (BLACK FACE) For French Magazine, Draws Criticism From Some. Is This Offensive To You? [Video + Pics]

"Blackface is more than just burnt cork applied as makeup. It is a style of entertainment based on racist Black stereotypes that began in minstrel shows and continues to this day." Black-Face.com

Blackface has long been condemned as racist. Typically done on the late 1800's when white actors would darken their skin, then proceed to "shuck and jive" pretending to be African American, much to the amusement of white audiences.

But is it the same if a black person does it?

French fashion magazine L'Officiel Paris chose Beyonce as the cover girl for it's 90th anniversary edition.

The singer/actress appears in dark skinned makeup. And that upset who think it's too much like blackface.

L'Officiel Paris has issued a statement assuring the makeup was worn voluntarily by Beyonce.

"Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce [Beyonce's alter-ego], the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers' clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. A return to her African roots, as you can see in the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened. All the pictures will be available in the collector edition, on sale at the end of this month."

Beyonce is said to have been inspired to use to the dark makeup as a tribute to Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti.

B's husband Jay-Z co-produced the broadway musical 'Fela!' about Kuti, along with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Is this a big deal about nothing or very offensive to you? Sound off in the comment section and vote.

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Comment by Chanell on February 28, 2011 at 9:56pm: I do not see the purpose of this so-called art. Your already black sweetie it's no reason to blacken your face to represent your roots. She is three different shades and she look a hot mess. I also agree if they wanted a dark skin model find a dark skin model why have Beyonce portray herself as something she is not. She is not doing dark skin women justice at all she just looks foolish.

Comment by James Anderson on February 28, 2011 at 4:45pm: @ JAM ROCK....YES YES.....ITS A VERY DARK COMEDY AND IT IS TUFF TO SMILE AT SOME OF THE SHUCKING.......BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE USED AS A TOOL TEACH WHAT REALLY HAPPEND IN THIS COUNTRY AND IS BEING DONE IN TODAYS TELEVISION SHOWS!!! BECAUSE ITS STILL GOING ON.....LOL

Comment by JamRockLady on February 28, 2011 at 4:35pm: @James Anderson...I watched it. Lot's of truth in it's content (and I liked that)...however, I now recall why I didn't give that movie a chance and bypassed it, previously (let me put on my movie critic hat now), it's one of those what you would call "dark comedies" (not a fan of that genre), it looked like it was shot using a cell phone or a bad camcorder, the acting was very poor, and I found parts hard to watch (especially the blackface and shuckin' and jiving...extremely racist, but realistic...I know).

HOWEVER, I highly recommend to ANYONE to watch it because....IT'S TRUTH...PLAIN AND SIMPLE. We "as a people" need to be reminded of the blatant and extreme "RACISM" Americans have displayed, every since movies and TELL-LIE-VISION shows began (almost a century ago). And if you think "shuckin' and jiving" is over...just look at anything called a "black (African-American) comedy" in today's movies and TELL-LIE-VISION shows...and that will clear up things for you. SMH! (No Bueno!) :(

Comment by James Anderson on February 28, 2011 at 2:00pm: @ JAMROCK.......YES YES PLEASE WATCH THAT........THEY ONLY PLAYED IT ON ABOUT 12 MOVIE SCREENS IN THE ENTIRE US.....JUST SO YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS THAT SERIOUS AND REAL.......NO ONE WANTED THAT MESSAGE OUT FOR SURE!!!! ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!

@S YOUNG.......TRULY ONE OF TE GREATEST MOVIES OF ITS TIME!!!! OF COURSE THEY DONT WANT THAT INFO OUT THERE THOUGH!!!!........THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER SPIKE LEE JOINT CALLED "DROP SQUAD".....IF YOU GUYS EVER GET A CHANCE CHECK THAT TOO......REALLY FUNNY AND EMLIGHTENING!!!

Comment by Yohan requiem on February 28, 2011 at 12:40pm: hse looks very scary dark but its beyonce :P :D we still love her

Comment by gloria mcwilliams on February 27, 2011 at 9:27pm: ITS AESTHETIC IMAGERY PEOPLE LETS FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE WHOSE EATING BROWN STUFF (THEIR STOOL ) OUT THEIR GARBAGE TO SURVIVE LEASTS SHE"S MAKING AN HONEST LIVING AND THE PIX IS PART OF HER LIFE'S WORK HER SOJOURN LEAVE BEYONCE ALONE SHE ROCKS AY LEAST I THINK SO PUT A MUZZLE ON IT DEFACING HER NAME

Comment by deborah rollerson on February 27, 2011 at 12:17pm: But it is true none the less, she got pick because of a Higher Powers choice, not human my friend. NOW BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND B 4 we neck KUUUUUUUT OFF!!!!!!!!DWL

Comment by Incognito on February 27, 2011 at 10:53am: Yep - knew that. There is a deeper meaning behind that billboard. Trust me - that "redneck" Texas Ad Agency chose a black child's face for a reason. If you think it was simply a matter of "luck of the draw" or the child was the cutest of the bunch - sorry you're mistaken....

Comment by deborah rollerson on February 27, 2011 at 3:47am: That billboard was put up by "ANTICHOICE PROLIFE" advocates baby just saying, your right on all other points. JUST SAYING

Comment by Incognito on February 27, 2011 at 2:31am: The lack of an open and creative mind is freaking killing people's sensibilities. Complaining about Beyonce adorn in black-face is madness. The Fashion industry always uses color on models as muse for displaying fashion, and you know what, many of you break ankles hustling over to Department stores to buy the very same clothes, shoes and other accessories you criticize. Not to mention the annual Jou'vert "jab jab" posse proudly galavanting in "blackness". Any thing wrong wid that - betcha no one would dare step to the Grenadian 'mongoose gang" masqueraders on Labor Day week-end and lambaste them fah dere ultra-black fashion statement. It's all ART people - get a grip.

It's a sad state when black folks voice displeasure with something like this, but don't do squat about being treated like a 'pinata" by society - bill boards as big as buildings implying blacks need to stop reproducing; jobs and money flowing for everyone but blacks, more black men in jail than in college; more black girls fighting in public school than black boys, and on and on...

It's no surprise why we are so easily duped, we are so caught up in the weeds, it's freaking impossible for us to see the forest. To put a twist on Prof. Pedro Noguera's speech to prisoners at Riker's Island, "there is a conspiracy to keep black people stupid.... all I want to know - are we part of that conspiracy?" I really seems so....

Wake the hell up!!