The Popular Minstrel Show Helped to Shape Public Perceptions of Blacks

The popular minstrel show helped to shape public perceptions of blacks during the antebellum period because it

A) accustomed white Americans to seeing blacks in public roles.
B) helped to convince northerners that slavery should be abolished.
C) reinforced stereotypes of blacks as stupid and clumsy.
D) exposed middle class audiences to the beauties of African-American music.
E) presented free blacks as suave and sophisticated urbanites.