Raylan Barnes
Assistant professor of American cultural history and author of Darkology, specializing in the history of blackface, minstrelsy, and American entertainment.
Best podcasts with Raylan Barnes
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Mar 9, 2026 • 45min
The hidden history of blackface in America
Raylan Barnes, assistant professor of American cultural history and author of Darkology, studies the history of blackface, minstrelsy, and American entertainment. She recounts hidden archival materials, the spread of amateur blackface through how-to guides and makeup industry marketing, and the ties between minstrelsy, fraternal groups, and political rhetoric. She also discusses efforts that made blackface taboo.
