Les, what were the contributions to popular culture from minstrelsy? There was the minstrel craze itself, which admittedly ran for quite a while but then died out - Al Jolson in the 30s was already at the tail end of it. The "Black and White Minstrel Show" on TV in the 1960s was already referencing a defunct tradition. Then there were some long-lasting popular songs such as those of Stephen Foster (many of which are not objectionable in themselves once you remove the "black" spellings and accent.)I am struggling to come up with others.

Was minstrelsy racist? From our perspective, undoubtedly, but I doubt many of those participating thought in those terms.

The morris and other forms of traditional dance incorporated some minstrel tunes, and in some cases newly popular instruments such as the banjo (just as they had adopted melodeon and concertina, and fiddle before them). In some areas the morris started blacking up, but it seems to have been in areas such as the Welsh Borders where it had previously been the custom. Other areas which also adopted the tunes didn't start blacking up. I don't think the link is proven.

If a white person blacks up in mockery of black people or as a racial stereotype then I agree it would be offensive. If the blacking up is for a different purpose then while I understand why someone may see it as offensive, I don't agree they I correct in doing so. We must agree to differ on this.