Blackface Scandals Illuminate America’s Troubled Racial History

The Legacy of Blackface in America: A Closer Look

By Andrew Hay

The troubling history of blackface in America has come into sharp focus recently, after two prominent Virginia Democrats faced backlash for admitting to using blackface during their college years in the 1980s.

This practice, which has its roots in the 19th century, has been employed by white Americans to imitate and caricature African Americans for over two hundred years. While it has become less common, experts note that blackface still appears in some areas as a reminder of ongoing racial issues.

The apologies issued by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring come amidst a trend, as public figures like actor Billy Crystal and late-night host Jimmy Fallon have also faced scrutiny for similar past actions.

Origins of Blackface in America

The origins of blackface can be traced back to the New York vaudeville shows of the 1830s, at a time when slavery was still prevalent in the Southern United States. White performers would darken their skin using burnt cork or shoe polish to grotesquely portray enslaved Africans as lazy and unintelligent.

These minstrel performers adopted exaggerated features and tattered clothing to perpetuate racist stereotypes, presenting African Americans as superstitious, hypersexual, and cowardly, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Wornie Reed, director of the Race and Social Policy Center at Virginia Tech, argues that such portrayals supported the institution of slavery, suggesting that if African Americans were depicted in this manner, then their enslavement was justified.

Popularity and Persistence of Blackface

Despite the Civil War leading to the abolition of slavery in 1865, blackface evolved into an extensive minstrel entertainment culture that thrived well into the mid-19th century. During the 1880s and 1890s, music and performances that demeaned African Americans became widely popular.

In the early 20th century, Black performers sometimes adopted blackface in an effort to gain acceptance from white audiences. Iconic white musicians and actors, including those in the epic film "Birth of a Nation," often used blackface to achieve comic effects. David Pilgrim, a former sociology professor and founder of the Jim Crow Museum, underscores the negative implications of blackface, which has consistently portrayed Black individuals as foolish or dangerous.

The term “Jim Crow,” originating from this minstrel genre, later became associated with laws that enforced racial segregation across the United States for decades.

Continued Relevance of Blackface

While professional blackface performances largely declined in the latter 20th century, elements of it persisted in variety shows and movies, including the 1986 film "Soul Man." Pilgrim asserts that the practice continues in certain "safe" spaces, such as on college campuses, where it often goes unchallenged.

The ongoing appearance of blackface serves as a stark indication of racism still present in American culture, according to African-American scholars like Reed. He argues that although individuals who engage in blackface may not fully subscribe to white supremacy, their actions stem from an entrenched cultural backdrop that perpetuates such ideologies.

Implications for U.S. Politics

The fallout from recent incidents in Virginia has drawn criticism across both major political parties, posing an unexpected challenge to Democratic leaders in a key swing state ahead of the 2020 presidential elections, particularly as the party seeks to strengthen its support among women and minorities.

President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that this scandal could favor his party in the upcoming election cycle.