I've just been talking about this thread with my African husband, and telling him what's being said. His view (I've posted about this before on the other thread on the subject) is that when he looks at blacked-up Morris dancers, the very last thing he would think they were impersonating is black people. They look nothing like any African on this Earth.
The first time he saw the phenomenon was at Whittlesea Straw Bear many years ago, and he was astonished to say the least. His first thought (he said afterwards) was,"What the hell are these crazy British people getting up to now? They're all mad!" (Not "How disgraceful, they're poking fun at black people!"
He's sat beside three Old Glory men (they use very black make-up indeed) and laughed, pointing out to them that if he danced with them, at least he wouldn't need any make-up. He finds the very idea of 'being offended' ridiculous. He also says that the 'objectors' are deliberately stirring up trouble for their own ends, and NOT because they're offended at all.
I just thought his views might be of interest here.