---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I decided to make 'Blackface,' a…"
description: "\"When I decided to make 'Blackface,' a short film about Black Pete, I had little knowledge of the giant cesspool of hate I was about to dive into. I did..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/roger-ross-williams-5118_blackface_when-i-decided-to-make-blackface-a-short_2945531.jpg"
---

#  When I decided to make 'Blackface,' a short film about…

![“When I decided to make 'Blackface,' a short film about Black Pete, I had little knowledge of the giant cesspool of hate I was about to dive into. I didn't realize how popular and passionate many white Dutch are about a figure that they connect to fond memories from their childhood.” quote by Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/roger-ross-williams-5118_blackface_when-i-decided-to-make-blackface-a-short_2945531.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/roger-ross-williams-5118_blackface_when-i-decided-to-make-blackface-a-short_2945531.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/roger-ross-williams-5118_blackface_when-i-decided-to-make-blackface-a-short_2945531.jpg)

> “When I decided to make 'Blackface,' a short film about Black Pete, I had little knowledge of the giant cesspool of hate I was about to dive into. I didn't realize how popular and passionate many white Dutch are about a figure that they connect to fond memories from their childhood.”

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The filmmaker underestimated the deep‑seated racism tied to a cultural symbol, revealing how nostalgia can mask hatred.

**In simple terms:** Ignorance of cultural pain leads to conflict.

Key Takeaway

Research cultural history before creating art.

Themes

cultural sensitivity racism artistic responsibility history

Mood

reflective critical

Type

artistic educational

When to use this quote

- film production
- public discussions
- educational workshops

Key Concepts

symbolic violence collective memory white privilege

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do creators have?
- How can audiences engage critically?

A Different Perspective

Audience may resist confronting uncomfortable truths.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blackface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blackface/) [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Fond memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fond-memories/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Little knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-knowledge/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Short film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-film/)

## Related quotes

> [When I first saw a White Dutch person dressed up as Black Pete, I was both sickened and shocked. It's hard to stand next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/when-i-first-saw-a-white-dutch-person-dressed-up-as-black-pete-i-was/)

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> [Zwarte Piet, or 'Black Pete,' is a relic from slavery. It is something that should have long been eliminated, and it's very insulting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/zwarte-piet-or-black-pete-is-a-relic-from-slavery-it-is-something/)

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> [I think many Dutch just don't know the history of Black Pete, that he is rooted in slavery, and how he was used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-many-dutch-just-don-t-know-the-history-of-black-pete-that-he/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [ \[Zwarte Piet\] is unfortunate, and just like the early American blackface films, if it offends a segment of the population, it shouldn't be shown… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/zwarte-piet-is-unfortunate-and-just-like-the-early-american-blackface/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [I thought Black Friday was when everyone puts on blackface and steals children from Wal-Mart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/i-thought-black-friday-was-when-everyone-puts-on-blackface-and-steals/)

[Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/)

> [Just reading that - just reading that a person can be black and still perform in blackface, making fun of black people for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecile-mclorin-salvant/just-reading-that-just-reading-that-a-person-can-be-black-and-still/)

[Cecile McLorin Salvant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecile-mclorin-salvant/)

> [No one actually cares about blackface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/no-one-actually-cares-about-blackface/)

[Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/)

> [Speak out, educate, do not be intimidated by the apologists, and do not let extreme racism be mainstreamed. Hopefully there will come a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-pelosi/speak-out-educate-do-not-be-intimidated-by-the-apologists-and-do-not/)

[Christine Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-pelosi/)

> [A white face goes with a white mind. Occasionally a black face goes with a white mind. Very seldom a white face will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/a-white-face-goes-with-a-white-mind-occasionally-a-black-face-goes/)

[Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/)

> [The Left wields blackface as a political cudgel, feigning offense and making excuses according to political convenience. Conservatives need not embrace the same cynical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/the-left-wields-blackface-as-a-political-cudgel-feigning-offense-and/)

[Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/)

> [Actually, the only thing that I can honestly say I really regret now is the blackface thing. I did not understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-waltman/actually-the-only-thing-that-i-can-honestly-say-i-really-regret-now/)

[Sean Waltman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-waltman/)

> [Not that long ago - in my parents' lives, in fact - actors in minstrel shows wore blackface to mimic and mock African Americans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-messam/not-that-long-ago-in-my-parents-lives-in-fact-actors-in-minstrel/)

[Wayne Messam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-messam/)

> [I certainly don't stay out of the sun, and I also don't, as some of my critics have said, put on blackface as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-certainly-don-t-stay-out-of-the-sun-and-i-also-don-t-as-some-of-my/)

[Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/)

> [I have a huge issue with blackface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-have-a-huge-issue-with-blackface/)

[Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/)

> [I was not interested in doing the plot of OEDIPUS in blackface. I did wonder, what would these people have been like if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/i-was-not-interested-in-doing-the-plot-of-oedipus-in-blackface-i-did/)

[Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/)

## More by Roger Ross Williams

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [I didn't have a lot of exposure to films as a kid, and I never went to the cinema. I had a single mom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-didn-t-have-a-lot-of-exposure-to-films-as-a-kid-and-i-never-went-to/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [While shooting in Uganda in 2011, the conservative evangelical pastors I was filming - the most ardent supporters of the country's now infamous Anti-Homosexuality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/while-shooting-in-uganda-in-2011-the-conservative-evangelical-pastors/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [I grew up in a Southern Baptist-style church with a choir, a band, and music, but I've been asking myself my whole life, 'Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-grew-up-in-a-southern-baptist-style-church-with-a-choir-a-band-and/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [My mother worked as a maid, cleaning the fraternity dorm of the local college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/my-mother-worked-as-a-maid-cleaning-the-fraternity-dorm-of-the-local/)

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> [Racism is a global problem and it is as damaging to Whites as it is to non-Whites. Everyone must fight against it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/racism-is-a-global-problem-and-it-is-as-damaging-to-whites-as-it-is/)

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> [ I both didn't know Owen \[Suskind\] beforehand and didn't have any connection to the autistic community. But Owen wasn't really a problem, because he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-both-didn-t-know-owen-suskind-beforehand-and-didn-t-have-any/)

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> [Even after I won the Oscar, my phone did not ring. No one called me to fund films or offer projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/even-after-i-won-the-oscar-my-phone-did-not-ring-no-one-called-me-to/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [Racism was never acceptable to the people who suffer from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/racism-was-never-acceptable-to-the-people-who-suffer-from-it/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

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[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

[Explore all 103 Roger Ross Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

## More Blackface quotes

> [I was not interested in doing the plot of OEDIPUS in blackface. I did wonder, what would these people have been like if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/i-was-not-interested-in-doing-the-plot-of-oedipus-in-blackface-i-did/)

[Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/)

> [I have a huge issue with blackface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-have-a-huge-issue-with-blackface/)

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> [I certainly don't stay out of the sun, and I also don't, as some of my critics have said, put on blackface as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-dolezal/i-certainly-don-t-stay-out-of-the-sun-and-i-also-don-t-as-some-of-my/)

[Rachel Dolezal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-dolezal/)

> [Not that long ago - in my parents' lives, in fact - actors in minstrel shows wore blackface to mimic and mock African Americans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-messam/not-that-long-ago-in-my-parents-lives-in-fact-actors-in-minstrel/)

[Wayne Messam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-messam/)

> [Actually, the only thing that I can honestly say I really regret now is the blackface thing. I did not understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-waltman/actually-the-only-thing-that-i-can-honestly-say-i-really-regret-now/)

[Sean Waltman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-waltman/)

> [The Left wields blackface as a political cudgel, feigning offense and making excuses according to political convenience. Conservatives need not embrace the same cynical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/the-left-wields-blackface-as-a-political-cudgel-feigning-offense-and/)

[Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/)

> [A white face goes with a white mind. Occasionally a black face goes with a white mind. Very seldom a white face will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/a-white-face-goes-with-a-white-mind-occasionally-a-black-face-goes/)

[Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/)

> [Speak out, educate, do not be intimidated by the apologists, and do not let extreme racism be mainstreamed. Hopefully there will come a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-pelosi/speak-out-educate-do-not-be-intimidated-by-the-apologists-and-do-not/)

[Christine Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-pelosi/)

> [No one actually cares about blackface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/no-one-actually-cares-about-blackface/)

[Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/)

> [Just reading that - just reading that a person can be black and still perform in blackface, making fun of black people for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecile-mclorin-salvant/just-reading-that-just-reading-that-a-person-can-be-black-and-still/)

[Cecile McLorin Salvant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecile-mclorin-salvant/)

> [I thought Black Friday was when everyone puts on blackface and steals children from Wal-Mart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/i-thought-black-friday-was-when-everyone-puts-on-blackface-and-steals/)

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> [I think when black performers performed in blackface, they were kind of taking back slave songs, but it was still a little bit iffy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecile-mclorin-salvant/i-think-when-black-performers-performed-in-blackface-they-were-kind/)

[Cecile McLorin Salvant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecile-mclorin-salvant/)

> [ \[Zwarte Piet\] is unfortunate, and just like the early American blackface films, if it offends a segment of the population, it shouldn't be shown… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/zwarte-piet-is-unfortunate-and-just-like-the-early-american-blackface/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [I've seen a lot of Black content creators calling for white folks to stop using the voices of Black folks to make TikToks because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-black-content-creators-calling-for-white-folks-to/)

[Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/)

> [Blackface remains exoticist and offensive as a practice, not just because of its long tradition of being used to mock black selfhood, sexuality, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-young/blackface-remains-exoticist-and-offensive-as-a-practice-not-just/)

[Kevin Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-young/)

[Browse all 16 Blackface quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blackface/)

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