Why is it offensive?
Why do folks (black and white) become offended when a performer (white or black) performs in black face but do not complain when a black comedian performs in whiteface?
shareI think the same kind of people get offended in both groups. They look for an offense and don't look much closer to see if there was a message, an offense or stupidity.
Every one who wore blackface: jolson, cantor, sinatra, garland, olivier, bill robinson or godfrey cambridge isn't trying to be offensive. Just as the wayans brothers aren't trying to be offensive when they did White Chicks.
Fortunately women don't cry sexism and misogyny for Tyler Perry and Milton Berle (or Dustin Hoffman.)
It's showbiz. Sometimes it offends. Sometimes it entertains. Sometimes it makes you think or talk.