The popularity of minstrelsy and blackface in the 19th century came out of that era’s ugly insistence on white supremacy and black inferiority.
Among Trump’s imbecile moments was his remark at a Black History Month event, praising the abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass as if he were a living civil rights leader. “He didn’t know Douglass was dead!” exclaimed Seth Meyers, noting that the great author, editor, and diplomat passed away back in 1895. “Yeah, keep your eye on that Fred Douglass kid!”