“In the United States the use of dark makeup evokes the painful legacy of racism and minstrel shows, in which performers darkened their skin with burnt cork to play characters that perpetuated racist stereotypes about African-Americans. But while the practice is increasingly rare in North America … it persists in parts of Europe and Russia.” And a recent Instagram post by Misty Copeland, showing Bolshoi Ballet dancers in dark makeup for a performance of La Bayadère, “[has] led to weeks of debate among ballet fans, highlighting a growing geographic divide on questions of race and representation.” – The New York Times