Likewise, in what way can you yourself be said to be objective given your own posts.

I shall answer your questions, and perhaps you'll extend me the same courtesy & look at groups like Hunters Moon & the Witchmen who have gone for a gothic look and explain to me how the black-face in context of that outfit can be considered a parody of black people.

In answer to your question, I like most others do not live in an all-white bubble & have friends from differing ethnic backgrounds. Likewise, when I've danced out I have danced in front of people from differing ethnic backgrounds, and many of them have come up & expressed interest afterwards as in my experience it is often the non-British people that find it the most interesting. As such and being an adult with my own mind I am more than capable of weighing up the impact the black-face has on a first hand basis - I don't need someone who may have seen border dancing once or twice telling me how the majority of people observing it perceive it.

If someone came up to me & said they found it offensive I would explain to them why WE choose black-up NOW & that it has nothing to do with racism. If they then chose to continue to read racism into it, then that's there look-out & their ignorance, not mine.