The Office is a classic sitcom that has been enjoyed by millions of viewers worldwide. It won several awards when it aired in the 2000s and 2010s, and it just might go down as the quintessential TV series from that era.
However, in recent years, controversy has arisen over a particular episode of the show that features a blackface scene. Rainn Wilson's iconic white character Dwight Schrute was the one who wore blackface, which is where the problem lies.
The show's creator, Greg Daniels, has since removed the episode from all reruns and streaming platforms. This decision was met with mostly positive reactions from both fans and cast members of the show, but has Wilson said anything about it?
Everything To Know About The 'Dwight Christmas' Episode Of The Office
The hit television show, The Office, has been a fan favorite for years. However, one particular episode from season nine has recently caused quite a stir in the media. 'Dwight Christmas' features Wilson's character Dwight dressed in blackface as the character Belsnickel.
The episode revolves around the character of Dwight, who is known for his eccentric personality and love for all things related to Christmas.
'Dwight Christmas' begins with Dwight preparing for his annual Christmas party at Dunder Mifflin, where he works as a salesman. He has planned an elaborate celebration that includes a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch feast, a visit from the mythical figure Belsnickel, and a gift exchange game called Yankee Swap.
Meanwhile, Jim Halpert, another salesman at Dunder Mifflin and Dwight's longtime rival, decides to play a prank on him by convincing him that he is actually Santa Claus. Jim enlists the help of several other employees to create an elaborate ruse that involves dressing up as elves and reindeer and setting up fake snow machines in the office.
For fans of the show, things go pretty normal in terms of the show's usual banter and comedy. Wilson couldn't always keep a straight face when filming, and that was probably the case for this episode.
The episode also happens to feature a scene where Dwight dresses up as Belsnickel, a German folklore character who punishes naughty children during Christmas time. In this portrayal, Dwight darkens his face with shoe polish to resemble Belsnickel's dark complexion. The use of blackface in this scene has been criticized for being racially insensitive and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Some fans have argued that Wilson should have spoken out against his character's use of blackface in the first place instead of defending it after the fact. Some even suggest that he may have been complicit in perpetuating harmful stereotypes by participating in such scenes.
Why Did The Office Stop Its Reruns Of 'Dwight Christmas'?
The Office and its showrunners, including Greg Daniels, pulled 'Dwight Christmas' from reruns back in 2020 mainly for its use of blackface. According to Den of Geek, this was primarily a reaction to the historic 2020 BLM protests.
To understand fully why 'Dwight Christmas' in blackface is problematic, the first thing to examine is the history of blackface in America.
According to the Smithsonian, blackface originated in the 19th century as a form of entertainment where white performers would paint their faces black and exaggerate African-American features to mock and stereotype them. This was often done for comedic purposes and was widely accepted by audiences at the time.
Blackface also played a significant role in the development of American popular culture. It was a form of entertainment that appealed to both white and black audiences, although for very different reasons. For white audiences, it provided an opportunity to laugh at the supposed foolishness of African Americans and reinforce their own sense of superiority. For black audiences, it offered a rare opportunity to see themselves represented on stage, albeit through distorted and demeaning caricatures.
As time has gone on, blackface has become completely outdated as a form of humor. Perhaps that's why The Office wanted to use blackface in the first place, in order to poke fun at the absurdity of it.
This Is What Rainn Wilson Has Said About 'Dwight Christmas' Being Banned From The Office Reruns
Many fans have been curious about Wilson's thoughts on this development. As an integral part of The Office's success and someone who brought Dwight to life for nine seasons, his opinion holds weight. There's a reason fans were outraged when he announced he didn't like Olivia Rodrigo's music.
When it comes to Wilson's possible response regarding the removal of the 'Dwight Christmas' episode from reruns, fans have been left in the dark. The beloved actor, who played the eccentric and often cringe-worthy character Dwight in "The Office," has yet to publicly address the controversy surrounding the pulled episode. This silence from Wilson has left many wondering if he is aware of what's happening and if he will speak out about it.
One aspect to consider is Wilson's past activism. Some celebrities such as Jameela Jamil are controversial for their activism and charitable work, but most fans admire Wilson for his contributions.
Throughout his career, he has been an active supporter of various causes such as environmentalism and education reform. According to GuideStar, he co-founded Lide Haiti, a non-profit organization that aims to empower at-risk youth in Haiti through education and leadership development programs. Given his past involvement in social issues, it is natural to wonder where he stands on BLM and its similar matters.
It is worth noting that while Wilson may not have made any public statements regarding Black Lives Matter specifically; however, it would be disingenuous to suggest that he hasn't spoken out against systemic racism or police brutality before now given his track record of activism over many years.
Wilson has also been an advocate for animal rights throughout his career. According to LiveKindly, he is a vegan and has used his platform to raise awareness about animal cruelty issues. In 2011, he collaborated with PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) for their "Save the Whales" campaign.
It's not confirmed what Wilson's opinions on 'Dwight Christmas' are, and things might remain that way. Especially considering that The Office still allows 'Dwight Christmas' on streaming platforms. The scenes with blackface are completely edited out, and aside from internet repostings of it, are likely never going to be officially seen again on major television and streaming platforms.