Harry Connick, Jr. upset over MJ and Jackson 5 "racist" stage act

Well not everyone knows black history because blacks aren't located in every country... They may know the basics but don't know the full extent of blacks and racisms... So because of that they aren't sure about all the things that are offensive to us.
Cozzie posted something earlier that said something like "he and many others have learned from the mistake of Jackson Jive" or something like that.. And really I think that is the most important thing... From what the Australian members posted on this board, they didn't know about history of "blackface" and of course we enlightened them on it... The more you know the more you grow...
See this is why it is important to TALK about race, not yell and scream about it (not saying that is what we are doing)... If someone does something that is racist to another group of ppl then I would hope they get called out on it... I don't know much about the history of the ppl down there in Australia, but I wld assume you guys have your own issues to deal with on how the Aborigines were/are treated... I don't know what is offensive to Australians, but I would assume that you would've want non Australians to think everyone down there is a Crocodile Dundee/Steve Irwin/Surfer...

Robert Downey jr was aware of it too I'm sure... Why is no one up in arms? Oh right... stones...glass houses...

Not throwing stones.... Eddie Murphy and the Wayans Bros, have dressed up as white ppl but it wasn't in a demeaning manner. All I know about RDJr's performance is that it wasn't in "blackface" and he wasn't "cooning" on stage..

The real problem is that the guy said he kinda knew it was wrong b4 they went on stage and did it anyway... That is a big difference than say some of you on here from that country saying you didn't know anything about it, and you performing it...
 
Not throwing stones.... Eddie Murphy and the Wayans Bros, have dressed up as white ppl but it wasn't in a demeaning manner. All I know about RDJr's performance is that it wasn't in "blackface" and he wasn't "cooning" on stage..

The real problem is that the guy said he kinda knew it was wrong b4 they went on stage and did it anyway... That is a big difference than say some of you on here from that country saying you didn't know anything about it, and you performing it...


Excuse me, but the guys said they were aware of the history but thought it would be "in good fun" and the tv executives agreed as when the skit was performed 2 months before it went on air and Connick Jr was a judge, again no one said a word. Their intentions were EXACTLY the same as Whoopi and Robert's. In fact RDJ's performance could have been considered offensive to Australians as well as African Americans...easily! He and Whoopi knew painting a face black was "kinda wrong" the same way they the Jackson Jive knew it was "kinda wrong" except those two did it in America where EVERYONE knew it was "kinda wrong" and the Jackson jive did it in a place where a small minority thought that.

Americans are hypocrites!!!!
 
.. I don't know what is offensive to Australians, but I would assume that you would've want non Australians to think everyone down there is a Crocodile Dundee/Steve Irwin/Surfer...

eek no :bugeyed

Some people felt a lot of resentment towards Steve Irwin in particular for creating that stereotype of Aussies. Of course that went away when he died and we were all his biggest fan... go figure :lol:
 
eek no :bugeyed

Some people felt a lot of resentment towards Steve Irwin in particular for creating that stereotype of Aussies. Of course that went away when he died and we were all his biggest fan... go figure :lol:

you post made me lol :lol:

can't wait to get down there... I will make sure not to mention those ppl or look for all the surfers or say G'day mate...

*sidenote* I work with kids and some of them actually think you all have kangaroos and koalas for pets, like most other ppl have dogs..:cheeky: Mind you I work in a mental hospital so they don't really pay attention in school because of there problems.. but I thought that was the funniest but yet saddest thing...
 
Excuse me, but the guys said they were aware of the history but thought it would be "in good fun" and the tv executives agreed as when the skit was performed 2 months before it went on air and Connick Jr was a judge, again no one said a word. Their intentions were EXACTLY the same as Whoopi and Robert's. In fact RDJ's performance could have been considered offensive to Australians as well as African Americans...easily! He and Whoopi knew painting a face black was "kinda wrong" the same way they the Jackson Jive knew it was "kinda wrong" except those two did it in America where EVERYONE knew it was "kinda wrong" and the Jackson jive did it in a place where a small minority thought that.

Americans are hypocrites!!!!


Sorry for the dbl post just saw this post..

Wow, so you are calling us names but yet don't want us to call you all names:bugeyed.. Not that I have... My issue is with the group and the tv show and possibly the media.. Not the ppl/country...

I never said America was perfect, I know my country has issues, but I will say that when America does something that others don't like we hear about it for days/months/years to come.. This time it's Australia has the heat brought on them and now we are saying how that was wrong and yet we still get called a bully... I would say you should have an issue with the African American because it is that group which was offended the most.. So are you saying we (I am AA by the way) should shut up about it?

Whoopi can't get to up in arms about it cuz yes she had her bf do it, and that would be hypocritical of her to say something about the issue..

Well if they knew the history of "blackface" then they know there is nothing "fun or funny" about it...
I don't think Robert's performance is considered "blackface" (I would have to watch the movie in order to give you my view about it) but yet if you all felt offended by it, then you would have every right to complain about it...
But I believe most of the American on here said that had Jackson Jive painted their faces brown or just wear the afros then so be it, but charcoal black.. omg... just not cool...
I can put myself in your shoes and see how you wld feel that we are attacking the ppl of Australia, and I don't think (not positive) ppl on here were trying or did that... However can you put yourself in my shoes and see how that was offensive?

And if any of my post may have made you feel attacked then I am sorry and that goes for any other Australian...:better:
 
Wow, so you are calling us names but yet don't want us to call you all names:bugeyed.. Not that I have... My issue is with the group and the tv show and possibly the media.. Not the ppl/country...
It's an adjective not a name. Just as had you said Australians are ignorant (on this subject) because we were... it would be true. The American media ARE hypocrites and the Americans on this board who are offended by the Jackson Jive but not offended by Whoopi or RDJ whose intentions were the same, are hypocrites and applying double standards... Not every single breathing American

I never said America was perfect, I know my country has issues, but I will say that when America does something that others don't like we hear about it for days/months/years to come..
Nope we never heard about the above in Aus, or if it was mentioned anywhere, it was never a world wide media circus like the Jackson Jive. Hence the point of saying 'hypocrite.' If it had been then it wouldn't be hypocritical.

This time it's Australia has the heat brought on them and now we are saying how that was wrong and yet we still get called a bully... I would say you should have an issue with the African American because it is that group which was offended the most.. So are you saying we (I am AA by the way) should shut up about it?
I'm saying there's no reason to be offended by it because it wasn't done with malicious intent and in a completely different context to how it was once performed in your country, and if you are then you should be equally offended by Whoopi and RDJ

Well if they knew the history of "blackface" then they know there is nothing "fun or funny" about it...
Again, same applies to the Americans that did the same.

I don't think Robert's performance is considered "blackface" (I would have to watch the movie in order to give you my view about it) .but yet if you all felt offended by it, then you would have every right to complain about it...
You should. He's very stereotypical both in his AA part and Australian part. I didn't get offended because I understood it was in good fun.

But I believe most of the American on here said that had Jackson Jive painted their faces brown or just wear the afros then so be it, but charcoal black.. omg... just not cool...
I understand this, but again... it's not taboo in Australia and it was there to mock Michael being WHITE. If you're going to be offended about anything, this is what you should be offended about.

I can put myself in your shoes and see how you wld feel that we are attacking the ppl of Australia, and I don't think (not positive) ppl on here were trying or did that... However can you put yourself in my shoes and see how that was offensive?
Honestly? If the act was done in America I would understand how it would be offensive, but since it was done in Australian cultural context no I can't see how it was and I honestly think it being blown way out of proportion. Again, if you are not offended by Whoopi or RDJ then you have no business being offended by the JJ

And if any of my post may have made you feel attacked then I am sorry and that goes for any other Australian...:better
likewise to the Americans :)
 
I understand it is not taboo in your country and like I said b4, most countries don't have a black population or they have a small percentage of blacks so therefore they wouldn't know the history...

Now that it has been made into a big story, for all those that didn't know how demeaning "blackface" was b4, they now know... Hopefully history won't repeat itself.
 
michael_jackson_music_peace.jpg
Peace?
;-)
 
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of course Rainbow...lmaooo
Peace...
hmm wonder what the next big debate will be over?? lol

p.s.- i will make sure to hit up all you Australians on here so yo can let me know what is and isn't acceptable in your country so I won't make an ass of myself when I get down there.. I don't need the bad press... j/k..
 
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Butterflies, I wanted to post this reply yesterday but the forum went down.

Whether we were to know about it or not, the intentions of blackface in America should not be projected on to every other country.
When I see blackfaces, I don't automatically think 'America' or 'African Americans'. I think about prejudice and typecasting in general, internationally and throughout history. Primitive humour like reducing a person to the colour of their face or the size of their eyes should not be used as entertainment. In this day and age, there are many issues that extend beyond 'my country/your country' and 'my culture/your culture' and this is one of them.
Whether you admit it or not, painting a face black to signify an African American IS typecasting. You don't need to know about black American history to see that.
 
For aussies... who watched good news week tonight? Did Claire put her foot in it or what? I swear we're going to get the award for "the most unintentionally racist country in the world" :lol:
 
:bugeyed:bugeyed Um...how can they not think this was completely and utterly OFFENSIVE! (refering to the guys statement) Honestly where did the whole black painted faces come from! That came from the usa and from whites making fun of blacks. So um how when they first saw the minstrel show and what was behind it (the message), think that it would be ok to do! Its not like they just magicly out of the blue thought paint their face black (which the jackson faces are brown:mello: not black). They took it from the minstrel shows. The minstrel show where racist. SO how in the world would this be ok. :doh: come on now, THEY knew what it was that they where doing but didn't care.

That wasn't a tribute that was ASHAME!

ps that skit that harry did was completely fine. He was making fun of preacher not black folks. some ppl like to act slow and stupid and use things to distract from the REAL issuses at hand. The media can SIT DOWN from trying to take away from the fact that harry spoke up and out about the skit. So in a way are they saying the jackson jive skit was ok because of what harry did? Why would the media try to discredit harry are they saying they are ok with the skit? The issue at hand was the racist skit not harry. But of course mainstream media american media is still racist in there own right. I mean just look at the fact that the new york post (I think) recently ran an editorial cartoon of obama as a monkey.:smilerolleyes:
 
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