Take a look at the Ikachina  youtube channel or the Duncan Sisters as Topsy and Eva and then perhaps you'll realize how utterly ridiculous you sound insisting racism is not a factor. There are no socially redeeming values associated with blackface. It's sole purpose was to demean, mock and ridicule an entire race and on a national platform no less. It was evil then and it's evil and disgusting now. Don't tell me she didn't mean any harm when the very premise of blackface was malicious.  Don't tell me it was a 100 yrs ago, you aren't responsible for what your forebears did, etc, etc, etc, when you're defending this behavior today , in 2016.  Too bad she didn't have the courage of her convictions.