blacked up
The term "blacked up" historically refers to the practice of non-black individuals applying dark makeup to mimic black people, often perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Definition
C1Theater and Performance
(dated, offensive)Applying dark makeup to mimic the appearance of a black person, often for theatrical purposes.
Example
- The actor was criticized for having blacked up for the role.
B2Diversity in Media
(informal)Making a film or story more racially diverse or giving it stronger black characters.
Example
- The director decided to black up the cast to reflect modern diversity.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "blacked up":