The color of masks and race - how do they relate?

We got a question on our blog post (LINK) that sparked a really interesting conversation among the Tut’Z. Before we share that conversation, we will first share the question and our response…

Here is the question:

I wonder if you ever got any feedback about these being read as racially insensitive? I ask because I am making masks right now and am really worried about them being read as blackface. Do you have any information about this? Are these mask colors not indicative of race?

This is not the first time this topic has come up in relation to masks.
Here is what we responded with:

To answer your question briefly, "Are these mask colors not indicative of race?", no, the colors are not indicative of race. Dottore, an italian from Bologna, has a black mask, as does Colombina (as in the picture), whose black mask comes from just a simple masquerade "disguise" style mask (like a bandit mask). Capitanos, traditionally Spaniards, and Zannis who often traditionally represent immigrants, are the same colors as the other masks (most tend to be a rich brown color, from the leather). Brighella is often dyed green. Although there is a conversation to be had about some of the masks and their relation to race (Pantalone, a large-nosed merchant from Venice, for example), the colors themselves are not indicative of skin tone.

This is how the masks have been traditionally, but of course as an artist living today, we all have to be careful we aren't communicating something we don't intend to. If you feel at all uncomfortable about the way a mask looks that you are making, don't ignore your gut feelings! It helps to ask around and get some other people's opinions, see what they think. It may simply be on a case-by-case basis, and what you intend for the mask. If you are intending to portray a more realistic skin tone, then it would definitely be a factor.

More questions? Or do you have more feedback for us?
Let us know in the comment below.