Mike Norris, Co-Editor, February 5, 2019
This week, newsfeeds have been dominated by the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. A photo in the yearbook depicted two men: one dressed as a member of the Ku Klux Klan, the other in “blackface.” Although the yearbook contained multiple photos of students in blackface, this one was viral, because it was alleged to be of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
Considered to be the first uniquely “American” form of entertainment, blackface was seen on television as recently as 1978. Today, pictures of people in blackface are damaging enough to ruin the careers of powerful politicians.
So, what is the story behind blackface?
Blackface first appeared in New York City in the 1830’s. An actor named Thomas Dartmouth Rice learned a popular African-American song-and-dance routine, based on the myth of an escaped slave named Jim Crow. As Rice was white, he would use burnt cork to blacken his face (later actors would use grease paint).
Rice's act sparked the rise of minstrelsy, which would eventually become one of the most popular form of entertainment in the country. According to C. Vann Woodward’s “The Strange Career of Jim Crow,” the laws that enforced racial segregation took their name from the Jim Crow character made popular by Rice.
At first the blackface character was a smart and sympathetic one. By the 1850’s even black performers appeared in blackface, eager to cash in on the craze. One of the biggest black stars to come out of the minstrelsy was Bert Williams, who wore blackface from vaudeville to Broadway. Williams was the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.
But as time went on, the minstrel show took on a more racist tone. The portrayals began to characterize African Americans as dangerous, lazy, unintelligent and sexually aggressive. Blackface even made an appearance in the 1915 movie "The Birth of a Nation," which celebrated the Ku Klux Klan.
Blackface minstrelsy on stage died in the 1920’s, but lived on in the movies and in television.
In the "Our Gang" comedies of the 1930s, Spanky appeared in blackface. During the Golden Age of the Hollywood musical, Judy Garland ("Babes on Broadway"), Bing Crosby ("Holiday Inn"), Fred Astaire ("Swing Time") and others performed in blackface. Even Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd wore blackface.
The phenomenon began to lose popularity during the Civil Rights Movement, although as recently as 1978, it could still be found on television, in “The Black and White Minstrel Show.”
Though Governor Northam seems to be surprised over the reaction his photo is garnering, there were signs that the public’s patience with blackface was wearing thin.
In 1993, during a Friar Club roast of Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson appeared in blackface and used the “n” word over a dozen times during a series of jokes that elicited audience walkouts. In 2012, Billy Crystal was criticized for impersonating Sammy Davis Jr. in blackface during his opening montage at the Oscars. In the 1980’s Crystal’s skit made repeat appearances on “Saturday Night Live.”
More recently, Megyn Kelly felt the sting of blackface. On a Tuesday episode of her show, she made remarks that supported blackface Halloween costumes, causing a backlash. On Wednesday, she looked into the camera and apologized. On Thursday, she did not go to work, her show, “Megyn Kelly Today” cancelled.
Blackface has become so toxic, it cannot be done even by those who aspire to be African American. Rachel Dolezal, the former president of the Spokane NAACP, experienced this when she tried to pass the practice off as “trans-racialism.” A 2007 photo of Drake in blackface prompted Pusha-T’ to pen the diss track “The Story of Adidon” in response.
It is officially time for the death of blackface as acceptable behavior. Elected officials who have engaged in such behavior in the past are on notice. And people ARE looking.
Last month, a photo from a 2004 Halloween party emerged. In the photo, Florida Secretary of State Mike Ertel was, you guessed it, in blackface. Just two months after Hurricane Katrina, Ertel was dressed as a “hurricane survivor,” wearing earrings, a New Orleans Saints bandanna and fake breasts under a purple T-shirt that read “Katrina Victim.” After a Tallahassee newspaper obtained a copy of the photo, Ertel immediately resigned.
As of the writing of this article, Northam still held office. He too should do the right thing and resign. For any politicians that have been photographed in blackface, you’ve been warned.
And next Halloween, DON’T wear blackface.