yeah, I wondered the same thing - it'd put a whole different complexion (no pun intended) on the thing if they painted their faces blue...

By 'keeping the lid on', I just meant from their perspective really. I think it would go a long way to taking the edge off accusations of racism if their website said in no uncertain terms that the practice today has nothing to do with the impersonation of race, and that, today, any connections with blackface minstrelcy are unfortunate, regrettable and tangential.

I know one person (who happens to be black) who would say that the Nutters' face-paint is racist irrespective of their own motives or origins. He would say that they are referencing blackface minstrelcy whether or not they intend to: their indifference to a historical change of circumstances, to the changed symbolism of their actions, is racist.

Or, to put it another way, it's all very well saying that the swastika is a symbol of the goddess Lakshmi, featured in centuries-old Hindu, Jain and Buddhist tradition, but you shouldn't be surprised if everyone assumes you're a neo-nazi if you have one tattooed on your neck.