Baylor Expert on Race, Blackface Featured Nationally

Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., professor of journalism, public relations and new media at Baylor University, is a nationally recognized expert on mass media representations of minorities, women and other underrepresented groups. 

Over the past few weeks, Moody-Ramirez has been interviewed and quoted extensively by some of the nation's top media outlets for their stories about race -- specifically the history and cultural significance of blackface. She coauthored the 2018 book From Blackface to Black Twitter: Reflections on Black Humor, Race, Politics, & Gender with Janette L. Dates, Ph.D., educator and critical commentator on the images of African-Americans in media.

In a Feb. 10 USA TODAY story about Viriginia's governor and blackface, Moody-Ramirez said, "I think we will see some good come out of these latest revelations. People will be more educated. They can no longer argue they didn't know that it is not appropriate to put on makeup to darken their face or change their hair texture to look like their favorite actor or celebrity . . . They will no longer have that excuse."

Other stories include:

The Washington Post

Northam’s ugly yearbook photo and the racist origins of blackface

CNN

A not-so-funny story about blackface

Arizona Republic

He objected to a photo of coal miners who appeared to be in blackface. He never imagined the backlash.

The Washington Post

The lengthy history of white politicians wearing blackface — and getting a pass

OZY

Governor Wanted: Predators and Racists Need Not Apply

PRI The World

How blackface — ‘America’s first cultural export’ — reinforces oppression across the world

USA TODAY

Blackface in Virginia, other incidents show how deeply rooted anti-black racism is in America