Racist bells?

A Boston University professor has claimed that "Jingle Bells" has racist roots because it was first performed in "black face".  For sure it's an American song, which originally had no association with Christmas, and as far as can be ascertained was first performed in 1857 as part of a minstrel show in Boston.  A minstrel show back then would almost certainly have been performed totally in black face.  So does that justify the professor's assertion?  Seems to me a bit like saying that "Three Little Maids From School" is racist because it comes from "The Mikado" which is traditionally performed in what might be called "yellow face".  I rather liked a tweet commenting on the professor's statement which ended "What the hell happened to the America I grew up in where people didn't wake up every day trying to find something to be offended by?"  Well said.