Piggybacking onto LRT, people should be aware that the illustrator and comic artist Babs Tarr has repeatedly drawing herself in what is essentially brownface, purposefully darkening her skin for aesthetics. It’s appropriative, demeaning of black and brown bodies, and wrong.

It is hard to follow because much of it has been clouded by her fans and supporters, but her response of simply blocking any criticism has shown that she has heard it and does not wish to be culpable. This racist behavior is unacceptable in comics and in online art circles.

It is important, as a white or non-black POC, to anticipate ways that you can prevent racism in the work that you create. It is also important to listen to criticism, especially when it comes from the parties affected by your actions. Babs Tarr did neither of these.

I didn’t really say anything publicly about it when it was happening, mostly because 1. there were many voices already in the argument and i wasn’t sure how impactful mine would be, 2. I do not have a very large following. But that was my mistake, and for my silence I apologize.

There are ripple effects, and seeing skin color as an aesthetic rather than as an identity is harmful. It leads to people valuing the loss of a single store more than a human life. It also shows black and brown artists that they are silent to white artists when it is convenient.

This isn’t meant to be some big retweetable thread, just and effort to educate people about a racist in our community. If you want to retweet someone, retweet donations for those needing support in Minneapolis, and to the family of George Floyd https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd