Blackface is Australia’s Problem Too
The idea that blackface is an “American” problem, or that it is only racist in America, seems to be common. Harry Connick Jr taking offence to a blackface act on Hey Hey It’s Saturday in 2009, for example, was chalked up to him being an American. However, if you take a look at the history of blackface, you’ll see that many of the problems which make blackface so offensive – for example, white actors “blacking up” to play black characters – were not exclusive to America.
Here with us to talk about Australia’s blackface history is Indigenous Affairs reporter for Buzzfeed, Allan Clarke.
Produced by Maddy Macquine-Abbott
