The Man Who Darkened His Skin to Fight Racism

Atlanta, Georgia. Has it ever been okay to wear blackface? It's obviously a terrible thing, but are there exceptions? I ask because I think I may have found one while reading the other night, and I can't stop thinking about it. For those of you who need a little background, blackface is a form of theatrical makeup that white performers have used throughout history to portray and demean black people. TIMELINE 1912: stayed all white for 75 years, and then drowned the evidence under a lake. 1955: and met Martin Luther King during seminary at Emory University. 1956: the sluice gates close. 1987: 75 years of silence, and then a walk. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of Atlanta is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 22 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters If you liked this: Episode 199 (Forsyth County, Georgia) Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy