there is a difference, guest.

If you are offended by mummers blackface,(the origin of which certainly is not to poke fun or imitate other races) then you should
equally be offended by Mary Poppins - since Dick Van Dyke has a carbon on his face. (whether hes a chimney sweep being irrelevant).

A friends teenage daughter walked into a clothing store and looking at the underwear aisle - said 'hey look at the knickers!' and two African american people turned and stared at her. An unfortunate coincidence perhaps, but no racism intended (only perceived).

and racism cuts both ways, I experienced it in Japan, when I was refused service in a bar (sorry Japanese people only!, Imagine saying that over here in BC.

and historically, whover said it was only white people enslaving Africans, and not vice versa, is not correct. GO back a 1000 years or more and European slaves were sold in North Africa etc. In fact the word slave - originates from Slav as a lot of slaves were sold into North Africa from Eastern Europe.