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I don't know, you seem to be wilfully conflating 'blacking up' with 'putting black paint/soot/etc on one's face for a non-racist purpose'. Most people are debating whether the latter is problematic or not whereas you're saying it's all 'blacking up' regardless of purpose or historical precedent.
I would say it's a similar case to the word fag or faggot. Most people are capable of discerning the context before taking offence.
Interestingly, the Bonfire Boyes with blackened faces carry burning crosses (or faggots) on their parades, which must startle the odd American visitor.
Dramatic_Hammer-
no, i'm saying 'in today's climate of enlightened sensitivity, maybe we should all think twice about intentionally putting black paint on our faces regardless of the intent of the person who's face is being blacked up as there's a distinct possibility it might piss on a fair few people's batteries who have every right to be not-cool about it'
see also: 'not being a dick for the sake of it'. A controversial position, evidently.
deleted
A discussion about when blacking up is acceptable in 2016. What a time to be alive.
I'll concede one point for the sake of this argument, and that's that I, nor the overwhelming majority of people on here, should probably not be deciding what is and isn't racist. More so me considering my background. I say this as I doubt many of us have experienced actual racism in any meaningful way. However, that shouldn't stop any of us from thinking twice before engaging in any sort of activity that might well be construed as offensive to people who have experienced racism in a meaningful way. Failure to do so might make you look like a bit of an entitled arse who's more interested in making a specious point than being an OK human being.
something to chew on.