another Guest stated:

>>>Strollin' Johnny, your question reflects a basic ignorance of race issues. Blacks have no racist traditions of mocking whites by painting their faces white, and they have never tyrannized whites in Britain, the US, or anywhere else in Europe. Their homeland numbers in Africa were decimated by European and American colonists.

So your attempt to suggest it would "be the same thing" if blacks dressed up in white face to cruelly mock whites, is idiotic.<<<

I take it you've never seen the White-faced Mummer Parade which happens yearly in South Africa? The origins of which are a tad hazy but it takes place in that area that used to service British ships stopping in at port in an otherwise inhospitable region. The locals are quite a separate ethnic group from other south African nations as I understand it.

Since they play Banjos and sing American Southern Songs...it must be quite confusing to outsiders. I'm confused just reporting it but if I hadn't seen footage of it with my own eyes, and I have, I'd not believe it either. If I recall properly, it may have something to do with St. Stephens day which is also some kind of Mummer Holiday in New Orleans.

I'll have to get back to you all on this, but I do have Video of it and it is a HUGE festive occasion. My footage was taken by a friend in the late 1990's. When I find out the rationale for this parade, I'll post details

Of course, that doesn't remove the basic taint of racism from any white person in blackface, but...

it is worth mentioning.