I am writing to you as a response to seeing a model whose skin was fully painted in dark brown during a livestream of an event hosted by Omula School of Beauty and Fashion (the video in question is currently private).

Although we could not understand from the livestream video what the intention behind such styling was, our immediate sentiment upon seeing the video without any explanation was that this was yet another case of Blackface in Japan, a racist form of expression regardless of intention. Today Blackface is widely considered an international taboo that reminds Black people of the trauma suffered as a result of racism in the past. We wanted to raise this issue to see if and what kind of research was done by the students who actually did the makeup, and more importantly the school’s position as an educational institution as to why this kind of makeup was condoned.

If this is all new to you that makeup of this nature is offensive and inarguably denounced, we strongly recommend you reading the article on our website concerning this matter.

https://japan4blacklives.jp/2021/02/ourepisodes/blackface2021/

In modern society, diversity is not a choice but an imperative, and Black people are not strangers in a far-away land — many live and work here in Japan, as well as children with various backgrounds who are often the victims of ignorance and discrimination. Many children live under the stress of not fitting in, which can be attributed to the lack of discriminatory acts being recognized as such.

Every time a case like this occurs, the international community rolls its eyes in disbelief and disapproval and we cannot have one more incident like this in a country hosting the Olympics. The initiative to end such atrocities must be taken by institutions such as yours by openly disqualifying inappropriate expressions, or the peoples will never be cognizant of what not to do.

The recent resignation of Mr. Mori after his misogynistic remarks and that Ms. Hashimoto (a female) succeeded his position was clearly a response to growing international criticism, and further attests that there is no “Japanese specific” exceptional rule.

As the event was hosted by you and not an individual, we decided to wait for an official statement or rectifying actions only to notice the video and photos taken down silently, not leaving a single photo with any sight of the model in question. We felt as though it was wiped out like nothing happened. Comments on your Twitter and Instagram account noting Blackface were closed entirely, and some commenters were even blocked from your account, which begs the question whether the school’s response was, in the capacity of an educational institution, commendable. Your action (and inaction) suggests your awareness of the inexcusability of the styling.

This letter is written jointly by several groups, each having its foundation in Japan and working to create a more fair and just society by informing the public with facts and concepts that promote a better understanding of anti-Blackness and other discrimination against minorities. We could not overlook this case when it reached us, because we know that turning a blind eye or staying silent will not solve racism — it enables it.

Your silence may be seen as enabling racism by many people who have watched your video since it was uploaded. We sincerely request that you take the following actions instead of waiting in silence for the dust to settle:

1. Give a public explanation on how Blackface was allowed and even livestreamed.

2. Establish rules against any form of expression that can be mistaken as discriminatory or derogatory toward minorities, including but not limited to Blackface.

3. Educate students on the reasons why the above actions (1. & 2.) were necessary.

Having said that, none of us think that your student painted a model brown intending to offend Black people. However, even if the makeup was inspired by trees and forests and not Black people, the intent of the artist could not have come through to the viewers on the other side of the screen, given it was an online streaming event viewed by a random and considerably large audience. Blackface has been repeatedly spotted throughout the world in fashion and entertainment industries, each time followed with international criticism, and we believe that a prominent beauty and fashion school must educate its pupils aspiring to work in those fields not to become a perpetuator of racial discrimination.

Freedom of expression is a right with a caveat: as long as it does not interfere with others’ rights. Everyone makes mistakes, and we want the students who did this makeup, as well as any who are willing to learn, to take this opportunity to realize that their output can hurt others and take one step further to educate themselves.

We sincerely hope you take heed of our concern, and take appropriate actions fit for a prestigious institution.

Yours Truly,

• Japan for Black Lives

• Black Lives Matter Tokyo

• Black Lives Matter Kyoto

• Black Lives Matter Hiroshima

• Black Lives Matter Tokai

• Black Lives Matter Fukuoka

• Black Lives Matter Japan Youth

• Jaspora: Japan’s African Diaspora