Great post.

Yes, I agree, great post. I would like to comment on a couple of things. The first is simply a correction: John Howard Griffin wrote Black Like Me--a truly remarkable book that everyone should read. And for the more eager reader, Carl Rowan's South of Freedom is also exceptional; it was written about ten years prior to Griffin's book and is the actual account of a black journalist from Minneapolis who "tours" the south in order to write an extended column on the social conditions of the south (interesting side note: the most racist place he visited? Washington DC--the capital of the northern states...).

My other comment has to do with parody in our contemporary culture. We see it all the time, as noted above in your post. As a result, the history of black-face gets lost on modern (white) people. This history is often never taught or understood. People should recognize it as a bad thing, but they get little support from the 21st century media. They see others do it, and then ask why can't I? Insert the need for a history lesson here. Where I agree Chappelle and Silverman (maybe Silverman) have a higher agenda (other than comedy), I also recognize the fact that this agenda gets lost and needs to be emphasized more often. After all, is this not one of the main reasons behind Dave's departure? I tend to like Silverman, but I also think she rides a very thin line. If we are going to see change with this issue, it needs to start with education, both in the schools and in the media.

I do not excuse the ignorant, but what are we doing to prevent this?

One last comment, sorry. It is interesting to note that with all the attention this Mr. NDSU is getting across the country, no one seems to mention that two men dressed as cowboys were simulating gay sex in the background, at least according to the initial report I read on the wire.

woops...i wrote higgins? woops woops woops. my bad, sorry. i read that book in fifth grade, but it could use a re-reading in my adulthood.

oh, and most every report i read did mention the homophobic nature of the skit, but certainly most of the debate is over the blackface aspect. it seems to me that this is just because the man who painted himself touched on such a specific act so closely linked w/ racism. maybe i'm giving them too much credit...

I totally agree.. if your not being talked about how do you know how it truly feels?!