By: Charlie Wang

An American Soprano named Angel Blue canceled a flight planned to Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Arena di Verona in Italy. She learned that the festival had featured blackface performers.

In the U.S., supporting blackface is highly considered racist and dehumanizing. Blue, who is black, released a statement on Instagram that she would not in “good conscience” attend the festival dealing with the black race practice.

People with different races are all equal, they should not be treated more differently than how other races would be treated. Blue said, “let me be perfectly clear: the use of blackface under any circumstances, artistic or otherwise, is a deeply misguided practice based on archaic theatrical traditions which have no place in modern society,” she wrote. “It is offensive, humiliating, and outright racist. Full stop.”

In the past, some entertainers and politicians have been criticized for their use of blackface. People like Justin Trudeau, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Jimmy Fallon, and Jason Aldean were seen with blackface. The history of blackface was first used in the medieval times, and then in Shakespearean times. However, in present day it has become a global problem. Even though some places stopped using black face, Russia and Europe still endured it.

Anna Netrebko, a Russian Soprano, helped maintain the tradition of blackface by being outspoken proponent for wearing blackface. In the production of 2018 “Aida” Netrebko proceeded to a tanning salon where she asked to put on dark make up. The company declined the request and was unwilling to give her the product. But recent pictures on Instagram showed her wearing black makeup covering her body with long black braids.

Blackface was racially insensitive and should stopped being used to offend certain races. All people are equal, and no race shall be treated differently with respect.