Historian Rhae Lynn Barnes documents how blackface performance became mainstream entertainment across America during the 1800s and 1900s. Her book, *Darkology*, traces this troubling history beyond professional theaters to amateur performances in homes, schools, and community events. Understanding this history matters for parents because it reveals how racist practices became normalized and celebrated in American culture, including spaces where children grew up and learned values. The widespread adoption of blackface wasn't accidental. It spread through families, social clubs, and institutions that treated it as harmless fun. Barnes shows that this wasn't fringe behavior but rather a deeply embedded cultural practice that shaped American attitudes about race for generations. For parents today, this historical context provides perspective on how entertainment and seemingly innocent traditions can perpetuate harm when rooted in racist stereotypes. Recognizing this pattern helps parents identify and interrupt similar normalized prejudices in contemporary culture. The book serves as a reminder that teaching children accurate history, including uncomfortable truths about American racism, equips them to recognize and reject harmful stereotypes in their own time.