Blackface Performance

Blackface performance started around the 1830's.  It was when white actors would use materials such as burnt cork or shoe polish to color their skin darker, since black actors weren't allowed to perform on stage.  They often wore gloves and ripped, worn-out clothing, while their lips were painted on extremely exaggerated.  These actors showed racist, black stereotypes on stage, mostly for a comic effect.  Most blackface performers were men, so they would cross-dress as black women.