Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Blackface, a dehumanizing caricature of Black Americans, became a staple of entertainment in the 19th century. In her new book, Rhae Lynn Barnes traces the toxic roots of blackface and the way in which it seeped into so many parts of American life. The historian argues that the effects of this derogatory practice are still being felt. Barnes joins the show to discuss her 20 years of research and why this conversation is still so important today.
Originally aired on May 6, 2026
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Major support for Amanpour and Company is provided by the Anderson Family Endowment, Jim Attwood and Leslie Williams, Candace King Weir, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Antisemitism, the Straus Family Foundation, The Peter G. Peterson & Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, Charles Rosenblum, Monique Schoen Warshaw, Koo and Patricia Yuen and Barbara Hope Zuckerberg.
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Watch Amanpour and Company weekdays on PBS (check local listings).
Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
#amanpourpbs
Blackface, a dehumanizing caricature of Black Americans, became a staple of entertainment in the 19th century. In her new book, Rhae Lynn Barnes traces the toxic roots of blackface and the way in which it seeped into so many parts of American life. The historian argues that the effects of this derogatory practice are still being felt. Barnes joins the show to discuss her 20 years of research and why this conversation is still so important today.
Originally aired on May 6, 2026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major support for Amanpour and Company is provided by the Anderson Family Endowment, Jim Attwood and Leslie Williams, Candace King Weir, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Antisemitism, the Straus Family Foundation, The Peter G. Peterson & Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, Charles Rosenblum, Monique Schoen Warshaw, Koo and Patricia Yuen and Barbara Hope Zuckerberg.
Subscribe to the Amanpour and Company channel here: bit.ly/2EMIkTJ
Subscribe to our daily newsletter to find out who's on each night: pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/newsletter
For more from Amanpour and Company, including full episodes, click here: to.pbs.org/2NBFpjf
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support your local PBS station: pbs.org/donate
Like Amanpour and Company on Facebook: bit.ly/2HNx3EF
Follow Amanpour and Company on Twitter: bit.ly/2HLpjTI
Follow Amanpour and Company on Instagram: bit.ly/3SaTUhk
Watch Amanpour and Company weekdays on PBS (check local listings).
Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
#amanpourpbs
