Which of the following was true of minstrel shows in the 1830s and 1840s?

A) By ridiculing African Americans, they stoked the fires of racism.
B) They provided a forum through which whites and blacks could better understand and accept their cultural differences.
C) They served as the major entry point for African Americans into the entertainment industry.
D) By popularizing African American song and dance, they served to break down racial barriers.

Minstrel Shows

A form of American entertainment in the 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by comic skits and musical performances in blackface by white performers.

Racism

Racism is a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others.

Entertainment Industry

Comprises companies and individuals that produce and distribute content for mass entertainment, including movies, music, television, and live performances.