Zulu Parade Governor - Mardi Gras 2009 New Orleans, LA (MardiGras Mardi Gra)

[taylorunderattack]

they all look like papa lazaroo from the league of gentlemen, or they look like those old racist cartoons

[SANNAFABICH]

Well England wiped out the entire aborigin population so it's only natural Australian make fun of them

[rhyboy1]

um...

2009?

WTF?

Didnt us ozzies get a fucking hiding for some mixed race people wearing blackface as a TRIBUTE!

Fuck the world is full of winging cunts.

[Shawry1993]

what the hell is this? get off Australias back

[ACityOfFriends]

No one is attacking the Aussies here. They, on the other hand, are throwing down on this video.

[ACityOfFriends]

I understand that you might feel attacked personally by statements that have come out of the "Black Face Incident" on Australian television, and while you have a point about Americans being full of ourselves... we generally are, this parade may not be the right example to use as proof of American hypocrisy.

[ACityOfFriends]

The Zulu parade was started 100 years ago by black residents (including former slaves) in New Orleans as a subtle protest against the stereotyping of blacks, including the black-face entertainment trend of the times.

[ACityOfFriends]

These protests took the form of black parade goers wearing black face and minstrel costumes or wearing elaborate costumes made of feathers and animal skins based on the "jungle" images that cartoonists of the day used to depict blacks in degrading ways.

[ACityOfFriends]

By throwing these stereotypes back into the face of the white establishment of the time, the Zulu founders were successfully able to help undermine the power of those stereotypes and carved out a place for themselves in, what was until that time, the exclusively white Mardi Gras celebration.

[ACityOfFriends]

Continuing the tradition of black-face as part of the annual Zulu parade during Mardi Gras is a way of proudly showing that the black community defeated that stereotype and can now display it proudly, much like a trophy from a hard-won battle.

[ACityOfFriends]

Each and every year (the year of Katrina excepted) the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, which has grown to become one of the most prestigious Mardi Gras organizations in New Orleans, proudly dons these traditional costumes as a way of honoring those original Zulu heroes who, at great risk to themselves, took to the streets and claimed a piece of Mardi Gras for themselves and helped defeat an insidious and degrading stereotype in the process.

[ACityOfFriends]

That said, don't get the impression that the Zulu parade is a staid and solemn affair. Hell no, this is New Orleans! The Zulu parade is one of the most popular and well-attended parades during Mardi Gras season and watching it is just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. So come on over to New Orleans next year and join the fun, but chill out a little first.

[xanderbubble]

I can't believe america these days,

they think australias racist because we did a jackson 5 skit to remember michael jackson

and you guys have a complete over-reaction, mean while, its ok for you americans to dress up as black people in movies, and even parades.

This is Revolting, just like over half the american full of them selves population

[Havvalager]

Oh I get it. It's only acceptable if yanks do it. Definitely sickening.

[86am]

sickening

[IamSchpartacus]

You should read a little background information on the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club before reaching your conclusion.