You are 100% right.  It was a different time back then.  I'm from VA and was in school in 70s and 80s.  In the more integrated areas, blackface and KKK stuff was minimal to none.  But get out of NoVA and it wouldn't have been a big deal to go to a costume event in blackface (I did). All of this is mild in comparison to real prejudice.  I'm originally from deepest south in KKK Kountry. My family was Klan. I know what real lynchings look like and real racism looks like.  And this isn't it.  Hell 10 years ago, Dave Chappelle entertained the entire US with Clayton Bigsy - The black white supremacist.  And so on... All that said, I am basking in the joy of watching these dickheads go down with their hypocritical ship named "Political Correctness".  Hang them with the rope they made IMO.  And now Sharpton is demanding Herring step down as well.