Emily Badger and Quoctrung Bui

<h1>One in 5 American adults say they have seen someone wear blackface in person, a share that holds remarkably stable across generations, geographic divides, and partisan and racial identities, according to an online poll of 2,026 adults conducted for The Upshot by Morning Consult.</h1>

These answers, which were anonymous, suggest how prevalent the racist practice has been in American culture, far beyond the Virginia politicians whose careers have been upended this month by revelations involving blackface. Today it remains common not only in the memories of baby boomers but in the experiences of millennials as well, around the country.

Five percent of respondents acknowledged that they had worn blackface themselves, though behaviors that are rare are particularly difficult to measure since a small number of people who do not respond accurately or honestly can have a disproportionate effect on the results.

When asked their views of politicians who have worn blackface, many Americans are more likely to forgive the offense if it occurred decades ago. Sixty percent of respondents said they would have a worse opinion of a politician if that person wore blackface within the past five years. That is twice the share of people who say they would think worse of a politician who did so 40 years ago.

For African-Americans in the poll, however, the political cost of wearing blackface fades little with time. African-Americans remain far more likely than whites to hold negative views of politicians who have worn blackface, regardless of how long ago it was done. Liberals, too, are significantly more likely than conservatives to think worse of a politician who has worn blackface, regardless of when.

The survey asked respondents about what kind of behavior by a politician would be considered offensive enough to warrant that person’s leaving office. Survey respondents viewed wearing blackface as worse than cheating on a spouse but not as bad as misuse of taxpayer money, sexual assault and a few other transgressions.

Even as blackface has largely disappeared from mainstream culture and public displays like campus minstrel shows, these poll results suggest that it has continued in more private settings. That finding reinforces a pattern from survey questions gauging racism across many other realms of American life: It remains stubbornly common.

This article originally appeared in <a id="17ea2294-b0c1-4a22-86b5-098bce30f99e" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/upshot/few-americans-say-theyve-worn-blackface-but-many-have-seen-it.html">The New York Times</a>.

The persistence of blackface: An experience that cuts across generations and geography

These answers, which were anonymous, suggest how prevalent the racist practice has been in American culture, far beyond the Virginia politicians whose careers have been upended this month by revelations involving blackface.

Politics

Local

Filla

World

News

Football

Ghana Premier League

Black Stars

Sports

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Entertainment

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Business

Explore categories

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Authors | Pulse Ghana

| Pulse Ghana

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulse Ghana

Pulse Ghana is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Ghanaians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Ghana

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Search Results | Pulse Ghana

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Ghana

Emily Badger and Quoctrung Bui

Articles written by the author

The persistence of blackface: An experience that cuts across generations and geography