Blackface "became associated with certain archetypes of American racism such as the "happy-go-lucky darky on the plantation" or the "dandified coon," according to Wikipedia. "Hence blackface has become associated with racism, particularly in the USA, so that the term may be used in a broader sense to include similarly stereotyped performances even when they do not involve blackface makeup."

These performers behaved like fools, idiots and buffoons to emulate black people. Their speech was barely understandable and they ran around the stage like morons. This was the white version of being "black."

To further perpetuate the lie, whites persuaded black performers to imitate their imitations on stage, thereby giving it a ring of truth to audiences cause, hey, "Black people were doing it now too."

Today the practice continues in the airing of television sitcoms where writers create black characters who engage in varying degrees of stereotypically idiotic behavior.

Then and now, the practice offends.

It's repulsive to see white or black men with ridiculous wigs and exaggerated dance moves pretending to be the Jackson 5.

It's offensive to walk around in blackface, five gold chains, and a Cleveland jersey speaking in stereotypical broken English saying, "Yo, I'm Lebron."

It's offensive for people to be reduced to their worst stereotypes in a country with a long history of systematic racism, only to be criticized as "too sensitive" when objecting to the practice.

Blackface should be left in history's gutter, not picked up by today's generation who may or may not have a clue as to what the hubbub is really all about.

Shakenya Jackson boasts she is among Chicago's finest writers. She enjoys long walks in the park and dirty dishes.