The concept of boundary transgression as discussed in class today is one that I find particularly interesting. The idea that we have boundaries, constructed and instilled in us from an early age, is fascinating.  Furthermore, I support the idea that by transgressing those boundaries, we create something that can not be categorized, which in turn makes us uncomfortable. The idea that the minstrel show falls into this category of transgressing boundaries is an interesting one, however it has merit. As it is well known, the minstrel show relies on people “blacking up” in order to put on these outlandish acts. However, what I find particularly interesting is the fact that, if a white person or an African American blacked up, it was acceptable, however if an African American performed the show without makeup, the radiance would go into a state of anarchy. Therefore, I would say that the minstrel show was created as a way to tread close to the boundaries of post-civil war America but does not cross it. Since the main theme of the minstrel show is that people are “blacking up”, the audience knows that besides the act on stage, the performers were still white. Therefore, I feel the minstrel show was created as a way for performers to circumvent transgressing boundaries by applying a topical fix (the ability to “black up”) to a complex issue (the greater racism in society, and in particular the inability for African Americans to perform onstage)