Trigger warnings have been issued for photographs of people in blackface costumes at traditional English folk events.
The game of Haxey Hood and Christian agricultural celebrations both historically involved attendees using blackface make-up.
But now photos of the rural events, which are still happening in the 21st century, have been issued with content warnings on the North Lincolnshire Museum website as they might cause ‘offence or hurt’.
The museum will also add warnings in local history galleries and take down an image of a person in blackface from public view, The Telegraph first reported.
The online warnings from the museum in Scunthorpe states: ‘It is recognised that whatever its origins, today blackface has the potential to cause offence or hurt.’
The move comes amid a debate over whether blackface make-up in some dances and plays are historically racial or derive from a purpose of ‘disguise’.
Blackface has traditionally been worn by participants of ‘Plough Days’ – simple musical performances staged by people in costume to mark Plough Monday.
The date is on the first Monday after the feast of the Epiphany, during which time agricultural tools would be blessed in church.
In 2020, the Joint Morris Organisations (JMO), which promotes and regulates groups engaging in activities like Morris dancing, banned the use of blackface make-up among its members.