Is this racist, or are people losing their sense of humour? - Edit 1
Before modification by Colonel Logain at 09/10/2009 05:10:03 AM
I'm not trying to be provocative here, I'm just wondering what your opinions are. Also, I'm not sure how much this has been covered, so I'm going to outline the whole story.
In Australia, one of the more popular shows in the 80s and 90s was a variety show called Hey Hey It's Saturday. The show was cancelled in 1999, but brought back for two reunion specials this year (on a Wednesday for some reason).
One of the segments on this show is called "Red Faces", where various acts perform on stage and are marked by a panel of celebrities. Last episode, one of the skits was called "Jackson Jive", which consisted of 6 doctors, 5 painting their faces black and one painting it white and imitating the Jackson 5. One of the guest judges, Harry Connick Jr. took offence to this act, saying it made him feel uncomfortable, and it wouldn't be allowed to happen in the States.
The 6 performers were on because they performed the same act 20 years ago.
Since the show aired, there have been a lot of people describing the skit as racist, and others saying that people are too sensitive and we're losing our collective sense of humour.
My question is, do you think painting your face black and imitating the Jackson 5 racist?
In Australia, one of the more popular shows in the 80s and 90s was a variety show called Hey Hey It's Saturday. The show was cancelled in 1999, but brought back for two reunion specials this year (on a Wednesday for some reason).
One of the segments on this show is called "Red Faces", where various acts perform on stage and are marked by a panel of celebrities. Last episode, one of the skits was called "Jackson Jive", which consisted of 6 doctors, 5 painting their faces black and one painting it white and imitating the Jackson 5. One of the guest judges, Harry Connick Jr. took offence to this act, saying it made him feel uncomfortable, and it wouldn't be allowed to happen in the States.
The 6 performers were on because they performed the same act 20 years ago.
Since the show aired, there have been a lot of people describing the skit as racist, and others saying that people are too sensitive and we're losing our collective sense of humour.
My question is, do you think painting your face black and imitating the Jackson 5 racist?