This is one of the most unexpectedly interesting articles I’ve read in a long time. Lots to think about, from evaluating cultures from within, to understanding how things look when viewed the other way around.

I’ve been wanting to tell a story about blackface, but I haven’t had the guts. When I was 17 or 18, I helped my 14 y/o cousin dress up as Michael Jackson (whom he adored) for Halloween.

My mother stopped us when she walked in and saw me applying brown shoe polish to his face. She told us it wasn’t OK, and we both got pretty upset about it, having never heard of blackface, and having no idea that it was hurtful to so many people.

I haven’t had the guts to tell the whole story, though.