A ROW has erupted after Aberaeron Carnival participants ‘blacked up’ as characters in a well-known comedy film.

The float depicting the Jamaican bobsleigh team in the 1993 Cool Runnings film starring John Candy has been condemned by the Ceredigion Labour Party who described the portrayal as “racism – pure and simple”.

In a statement they said: “Whilst carnival is a time for having exuberant fun and for whole communities to come together, the incident at Aberaeron Carnival where white participants ‘blacked up’ as characters from the Jamaican bobsleigh team in Cool Runnings is unacceptable.

“It was completely unacceptable for the participants to blacken their faces and put on curly wigs, in a ‘humorous’ caricature.

“This is racism, pure and simple, whether intentional or not and at best suggests that those responsible are unaware of the appalling history and associations of ‘blacking’ up.

“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.”

Dinah Mulholland, Labour Party candidate for Ceredigion in the recent General Election, said that the history of west Wales had strong connections to the Atlantic slave trade, and that “shameful legacy” could be seen in the traditions of ‘blackface’.

“We call on the organisers of Aberaeron Carnival, and our local elected county and community councillors to acknowledge the offence and distress this practice causes and take a stand to condemn the use of ‘blackface’, and other forms of racism in Ceredigion,” she added.

In a subsequent post on social media, Ms Mulholland said she had been “utterly horrified” by the Cool Runnings float.

“How could this have been considered acceptable, or even legal, by the carnival organisers?” she asked.

“I would like to see a statement from Elizabeth Evans, Lib Dem councillor for Aberaeron, who was at the carnival today, denouncing this.”

However, Cllr Evans told the Cambrian News she was “100 per cent certain” no offence was intended, although she admitted that on seeing the float she knew it would cause controversy.

“It is not for me to define what is and what is not deemed as racist,” she said. “But were those lads on that float being racist? Absolutely not.

“They were merely depicting what was a very popular film and the reaction of the crowd showed they appreciated the effort that had gone into the float.

“It’s just a shame that it has resulted in this backlash, because they were not being racist at all.

“At worst it was a naïve act.”

Carnival committee chairman John Lewis declined to comment.

Cool Runnings is based on the real life story of Jamaica’s first bobsleigh team to compete at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

A police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a perceived hate incident, which occurred at Aberaeron Carnival on Monday, 28 August.

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