
You might think that news stories citing university students in blackface or Gucci selling a suspicious-looking balaclava are an exception.
Well, think again, because according to a new poll, more than a third of Americans believe that it's acceptable to wear blackface for a Halloween costume.
The Pew Research Center poll revealed that 34 per cent believe that it's always or sometimes acceptable for a white person to paint their face black to pretend to be a different race, while 53% believe it is rarely or never acceptable.
The figures come amidst top Virginia officials - governor Ralph Northam and attorney general Mark Herring - admitting to wearing blackface in the 1980s during a costume party. While the two officials have received calls to resign, both have said they're planning on staying in office.
As shocking as these statistics might seem, many on social media weren't as surprised.
@pewresearch I’m surprised at how many of folk didn’t think this behavior happens. Um. 1968 isn’t that long ago. O… https://t.co/SCwG2GzqIr— ✊🏾Kenny Purnell✊🏾 (@✊🏾Kenny Purnell✊🏾) 1549892124
@kjpstorm @pewresearch Our kids are attending segregate schools now. The same racist attitudes are prevalent today☮️— Kinnard Gilmer (@Kinnard Gilmer) 1549897602
@pewresearch Coincidence? about the same percentage that support trump— Hackey Weinberger (@Hackey Weinberger) 1549891871
@NBCNews 1/3 of Americans need to be launched into the sun.— Cautious Clay (@Cautious Clay) 1549929893
@pewresearch No surprise. America was/is founded on genocide & slavery. Heavily embedded with white supremacy. So t… https://t.co/lNuAEhwYRN— Onyx Paradigm⚡️👊🏿💪🏿⚡️ (@Onyx Paradigm⚡️👊🏿💪🏿⚡️) 1549906337
@NBCNews https://t.co/NRlAz0slji— Cookiecam21 (@Cookiecam21) 1549916714
@pewresearch https://t.co/yBouwG6afD— Tired of this shit (@Tired of this shit) 1549894452