I'm not sure that saying that "it is the perception" is anything but a cop-out. If the perception is based on misinformation or ignorance then we should not accept it as valid.

The fundamental issue is whether blackface dance was traditionally a matter of guising, or a matter of mocking reference to skin colour. I am inclined to one view - based on what I think is the accepted view of Angliam molly. You are inclined, Ruth, to another.

But the school did not have that debate, and it may be that today's Guardian is somewhat revisionist. I have seen no suggestion anywhere, yet, that the school did go through the debate, least of all with Motley Morris, who it had already (I think) contracted. The school made, it seems, a kneejerk reaction based on PC considerations, and is now spinning in the best New Labour traditions.

The analogy with "Little Sir Hugh" does not really illuminate, because in that case we know both that the song is traditional (whereas we are still debating whether blackface dance is) and that there is no possibly explanation other than racism (whereas we are still debating whether that is so for blackface dance).