David Henry Hwang

There was all this talk when Obama got elected about how we were living in a postracial world. But we're not. Until we get to the point where James Earl Jones can play, say, George Washington, race matters. You wouldn't put a white actor in blackface to play Othello. You shouldn't have a white actor in what amounts to yellowface to play Asian.

American Playwright

Wayne Messam

Not that long ago - in my parents' lives, in fact - actors in minstrel shows wore blackface to mimic and mock African Americans. These performances were based in contempt and gave people an opportunity to act out their prejudices.

American Athlete

Bela Fleck

I think it is very ironic that most people think that the banjo is a southern white instrument. It came from Africa and even for the first years that white people played banjo they would put on blackface.

American Musician

Kerry Washington

I've had friends of mine say, like, they're tired of 'gayface,' and I was like, 'What's gayface?' They were like, 'It's the gay version of blackface: like, come in and be more effeminate.

American Actress

Tess Holliday

I've seen a lot of Black content creators calling for white folks to stop using the voices of Black folks to make TikToks because it's like digital blackface. That's valid.

American Model

Rachel Dolezal

I certainly don't stay out of the sun, and I also don't, as some of my critics have said, put on blackface as a performance.

American Activist

Sean Waltman

Actually, the only thing that I can honestly say I really regret now is the blackface thing. I did not understand.

American Wrestler

Allison Anders

This practice of skinny actresses donning fat suits is essentially the new and acceptable blackface in Hollywood.

American Director

Chris Lilley

Like, Australians definitely don't walk around dressed up in blackface going, 'Ha-ha.

Australian Comedian

Michael J. Knowles

American Author

Blackface is seen as disrespectful and perpetuates racial stereotypes.

Cultural Insensitivity

Originated in the 19th century, it was part of performances mocking African-Americans.

Historic Racism

Its use in modern media is controversial and can invoke severe backlash.

Modern Offense

This term refers to a specific type of sheep with a black face, not all black-faced sheep.

Breed Specificity

Most common in Scotland, it's used to describe hardy local sheep varieties.

Regional Association

Used by farmers and in agricultural circles; less known in urban settings.

Agricultural Context

 to look for things that were obviously racist, fewer people were looking into the current-day policy stances of legislators who probably did blackface but didn't get caught. So, how many of us might have supported a candidate