This drives me bonkers. The whole blackface thing is a result of AMERICAN slavery. It was designed to make fun of their plantation workers. It has no context here. Australian never had a blackface theatrical tradition or slavery. Why do we blindly take on all of american culture. We've done some awfully racist things here, but blackface was not one. There is no need for us to import american guilt over this. If we begin to shun any action that has been construed to be racist in any part of the world at any time, this shit will get out of hand.
Here is a link explaining
blackface theater for those who do not understand,
I thought what Harry Connick said was understandable. Was it not along the lines of "This is racist where I come from". And indeed, due to several hundered years of slavery, and coming from the South of the USA, I can understand why he wished to make that comment and was sensitive
in the context of an American.
However, why are Australian caucasians now apologists for US black faced theatre, which has no tradition here, and which the majority of Australians have no understanding of? When does end? I guarantee you I'm more offended by the stupidity of these people making the complaint, than they are about some face paint.
In Friday's MX in Brisbane, Samo was interviewed and commented that previously Reds fans had come to games with wig and facepaint, and how honored he was to have fans dress in his unique style.
Again, where does it end? I was in Suncorp yesterday, and seating was deliniated via colour; eg. Blue section, maroon, white section. Can some dickhead now complain that there is a "white" section, and this kind of segregation is offensive?
I have just come from living in the U.K., at times one of the most painfully PC places you can go. During that time at work;
1. I was warned not to use the term "Pom" as some people found it racially offensive
2. I witnessed a member of staff go to a hearing with HR, as they used the term "pot calling the kettle black" with another white colleague. A black member of staff overheard this and thought it racially offensive. IS THAT WHAT WE WANT AUSTRALIA?
It is worth remembering that racism still is an issue. There is a need to stamp out casual racism, and Australia still is yet to have reached a situation where all Aboriginal people are able to fully intergrate into this society. Is it not more important these are the issues under discussion, rather than this utter nonsense with Samo?