Aituk7
Striker
Ed Sheeran's record company boss quits Atlantic
The British music boss from North London admitted he had made the 'terrible mistake' seven years ago at a party when guests were asked to come dressed as their favourite musical icon.
www.dailymail.co.uk
Atlantic Records UK boss Ben Cook who discovered Ed Sheeran quits after dressing up as member of hip-hop group Run DMC at a birthday party seven years ago
"The British music boss admitted he had made the 'terrible mistake' seven years ago at a party when guests were asked to come dressed as their favourite musical icon. "
"But he was defended by grime MC Wiley, who worked with him on the 2008 hit Wearing My Rolex and tweeted: 'Ben Cook is not racist. Give that man back his job."
It doesn't actually say in the article he blacked up his face but I've got to assume that's what's happened.
Obviously dressing up as a minstrel or trying to take the piss with blackface is racist and wrong because it was historically used as a tool to dehumanise black people.
But that aside, is it always offensive no matter what? Even if you just want to go to a fancy dress party dressed as one of your idols who happens to be a different race to you?