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 Bombahdrop on February 25, 2011 at 4:11pm: Some one else said it best when they said why the f*** didnt they jus find a woman of that color then it wouldnt be this contraversial. Find a darkskinned model i know theres more deah i agree JamRockLady Keep putting things in their perspective .

Comment by JamRockLady on February 25, 2011 at 3:57pm: @S. Young and James Anderson...thanks...just "keeping in real" and putting things in perspective at usual. Jah Bless my peeps! :D

Comment by James Anderson on February 25, 2011 at 3:53pm: @ JAMROCK AND S YOUNG....HAS ANYBODY SEEN SPIKE LEE'S "BAMBOOZLED" IF SO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN...IF NOT, YOU GUYS NEED TO GET IT AND WATCH THAT THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND IT ALL!!!!!

Comment by S. Young on February 25, 2011 at 3:40pm: Ahhhhh,thank-you for being the voice of reason..once again @JamRockLady!! The first thing that comes to mind is seeing a white man standing on stage w/black polish on his face singin "MAMMY",It's offensive,point blank!!.. James Anderson,LMAO!! Ri-Ris' video was basically artwork/pictures "borrowed" from photographer Dave LaChapelle and transformed into a video.

Comment by James Anderson on February 25, 2011 at 3:22pm: @ JAMROCK......CHEERS, CHEERS!!!! OUTSTANDING POINT!!!!!

Comment by JamRockLady on February 25, 2011 at 3:14pm: Any reference to "black face" is racist-driven NO MATTER WHO DAWNS THE BLACKFACE...period.

The "concept" of "black face" is derived from the "Jim Crow" era (please research that era). It doesn't matter who ok'ed or finalized these pics. The fact that black-face was put forth in the first place, in this, "supposedly" "racially tolerant society" (which is delusion in and of itself), is irresponsible and racially insensitive of ALL involved...period.

Beyonce and "her people" should be more mindful of her public image better than that. They're all a bunch of bone heads!

Comment by James Anderson on February 25, 2011 at 2:54pm: @ S YOUNG......GOOD POINT ABT THE RIRI THING? THIS IS JUST A PIC...WHAT SHE DID WAS MORE LIKE BONDAGE AND IT SEEMED EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS OK.........VERY INTERESTING!!!!

AGAOIN THO...WHO CARES.....LOL

Comment by Vinny Pat on February 25, 2011 at 2:40pm: @ syoung...true dat. Stop bleaching, love yourself

Comment by James Anderson on February 25, 2011 at 2:22pm: WHO CARES!!!!!

BUT YOUR RIGHT JAMROCK....SEEMS FAMILIAR TO ME AS WELL!!!!

Comment by S. Young on February 25, 2011 at 1:55pm: Thanks @Bombahdrop, wow black people can be so ridiculous.."move on it's art" but when they saw the pics of Rihannas "S&M" video it was a different story..well wasn't that "ART" too. I don't care who doesn't agree with me,as a Brown skinned woman I feel she looks ridiculous and it's insulting so kick rocks if you don't agree. That's my opinion and I'm damn well entitled to it.