Chiang Mai Zoo event sparks blackface controversy

A celebratory event at a major zoo in northern Thailand sparked a debate this weekend over the use of blackface.

Images and videos of a welcoming ceremony for a baby giraffe and zebra at the Chiang Mai Zoo’s African animals section garnered attention when two zoo staff were seen portraying blackface, painted head-to-toe in black paint, with lips bright red, and dressed in East African shuka tartan. Video showed them bouncing up and down and chanting animal noises.

It was reported that Chiang Mai zoo director Wuttichai Muangman gave the two THB500 as compensation for their performance.

The images began circulating on Facebook and Reddit, with some quick to call out the overt racism online. As of Monday afternoon, the zoo has not responded to the controversy.

Blackface, which originated in the US as a way to mock African Americans in minstrel shows, spread…