Sol,

This is a very interesting question and one that speaks to a "white"delemma, I believe. I suspect that there are only two sources for direction on this question: Stephan Foster himself, or some timely and thoughtful input from the black community.

In my teenage years, and I did have some (really), I was the 'token white' in an all black theatre group in Seattle. The director, who was also a very close personal friend and mentor, used to enjoy singing this song. And he sang it with much fervor. And I do know that part of his enjoyment, perverse perhaps, was to watch the confused squirming of the other actors.

So again, I as a white man, don't know what to say. I hope some one will speak to this with authority. CHEERS, Bob