Here's why ‘Mad Men’ is keeping its blackface episode despite other shows doing the opposite

AMC's "Mad Men" is not pulling an episode that features a character in blackface for a specific reason.

In a statement to USA TODAY Thursday, Lionsgate's Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications Peter Wilkes explained the company would give context to the blackface scene in Season 3’s “My Old Kentucky Home" by adding a title card at the beginning of the episode.

"This episode contains disturbing images related to race in America," the card will read. "One of the characters is shown in blackface as part of an episode that shows how commonplace racism was in America in 1963."

The card continues, “In its reliance on historical authenticity, the series producers are committed to exposing the injustices and inequities within our society that continue to this day so we can examine even the most painful parts of our history in order to reflect on who we are today and who we want to become. We are therefore presenting the original episode in its entirety.”

The Los Angeles Times reports the episode shows Roger Sterling (John Slattery) wearing blackface while serenading Jane (Peyton List) at a country club Derby party. “I did this at home for her with a little shoe polish. She thought it was a scream," Sterlings says.

The series is set to begin streaming on IMDb TV on July 15.

The decision comes as other shows have removed examples of blackface in their series.

"Scrubs" and "30 Rock" episodes are being pulled from streaming services because they show actors in blackface.

Tina Fey, the star and executive producer of "30 Rock," explained the decision for her show in a note shared with USA TODAY on June 22.

"As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation," Fey wrote. "I understand now that 'intent' is not a free pass for white people to use these images."

A scene from a 2012 episode of the sitcom television series "The Office" was also cut, Greg Daniels, a co-creator, said in a statement issued to USA TODAY by Curt King, Senior Vice President, Universal Television Publicity, Marketing and Corporate Communications. 

Hulu also removed an episode of "The Golden Girls" due to concerns over blackface, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.

Contributing: Charles Trepany, USA TODAY

More:Jojo Siwa defends music video featuring a dancer accused of wearing blackface

More:Jimmy Kimmel apologizes for 'embarrassing' blackface sketches, says he's 'evolved'