Carnival revellers ‘black up’ for Cool Runnings tribute

Four carnival revellers who ‘blacked up’ to look like a Jamaican bobsleigh team are being investigated by police for racism.

The four men covered themselves in black bodypaint and Lycra bodysuits to dress up as characters from the 1993 cult comedy film Cool Runnings.

But the men who used a wooden bobsleigh sparked a police probe after complaints that their outfits in the street parade in Aberaeron, West Wales, were racist.

Four revellers at Aberaeron Carnival in West Wales covered themselves in black bodypaint and Lycra bodysuits to dress up as characters from the 1993 cult comedy film Cool Runnings

The men who used a wooden bobsleigh sparked a police probe after complaints that their outfits in the street parade in Aberaeron, West Wales, were racist

The men who used a wooden bobsleigh sparked a police probe after complaints that their outfits in the street parade in Aberaeron, West Wales, were racist

The float was one of around 20 that joined in the parade in the seaside town in West Wales

The float was one of around 20 that joined in the parade in the seaside town in West Wales

Their float was one of around 20 that joined in the parade in the seaside town.

The men also wore dreadlock wigs and rasta hats and waved Jamaican flags as their bobsled-float was carried on a JCB.

Dinah Mulholland, who stood for Labour at this year's General Election, said their fancy dress choice was 'unacceptable' 

Dinah Mulholland, who stood for Labour at this year’s General Election, said their fancy dress choice was ‘unacceptable’ 

But Dinah Mulholland, who stood for Labour at this year’s General Election, said their fancy dress choice was ‘unacceptable’.

She said: ‘Utterly horrified to see this from Aberaeron Carnival today. How could this have been considered acceptable, or even legal, by the carnival organisers?

‘There may have been no conscious agenda or racist intent towards involved people of African or Caribbean heritage in the Cool Runnings float.

‘But there is no doubt that offence has been caused and that there is a danger that, unchallenged, such behaviour makes casual racism seem okay.’

She said that blacking up ‘continues to be used today to belittle and mock people of colour’. Police confirmed they received a complaint of racism and are investigating.

A spokesman said: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a perceived hate incident which occurred at Aberaeron carnival on Monday, August 28.

The men wore dreadlock wigs and rasta hats and waved Jamaican flags as their bobsled-float was carried on a JCB through the town of Aberaeron

The men wore dreadlock wigs and rasta hats and waved Jamaican flags as their bobsled-float was carried on a JCB through the town of Aberaeron

Some residents backed the revellers and slammed Miss Mulholland for 'overreacting'

Some residents backed the revellers and slammed Miss Mulholland for ‘overreacting’

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they received a complaint of racism and are investigating

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they received a complaint of racism and are investigating

‘An entry to the carnival parade was considered racist. Enquiries are being made by local officers.’

In the film Cool Runnings, four athletes want to become Jamaica's first bobsleigh team to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics

In the film Cool Runnings, four athletes want to become Jamaica’s first bobsleigh team to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics

But other residents in Aberaeron backed the fancy dress revellers and slammed Miss Mulholland for ‘overreacting’.

Luke Summerfield said: ‘So are we now living in an era where we can’t dress up as our favourite movie characters? You are creating more of a problem instead of living in harmony.’

Tom Bow said: ‘Wow this shouldn’t (have even been) brought up. This shouldn’t even be in the minds of people. This isn’t any sort of racism.

‘This is why our world has so many problems because of people taking things too seriously and just not enjoying the culture and the icons that were Cool Runnings.’

Lewis Jones said: ‘How is this in any sense or form wrong? They are literally portraying characters who are black. It’s not bullying. 

‘It’s not targeted at anyone or anything. The only people being offended are the people who assume someone is going to get offended.’

Cool Runnings was the story of four Jamaican athletes who dreamed of becoming Jamaica’s first bobsleigh team to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. 

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