Poll: That's RACIST!!

[kjrubberducky]

I'm sorry, but in comedy, everything is allowed, and nothing is sacred. You have people making fun of geniuses and morons, men and women, straights and gays, atheists and Christians, anything like intelligence, illnesses, sexuality, sex itself, nationality, religion, opinion, wealth, lifestyle, and yes, RACE! It's all free game! Honestly, what is wrong with people that something like this offends them? Are they obsessed with the perceived "racism"? Do they have a persecution complex or something?! If we weren't allowed to "offend" anyone's sensibilities, shoot, the only thing we would be allowed to talk about would be the weather!

Should I be offended because one of the actors had "white face" on, because I am a Caucasian? Do we need to protest Micheal Jackson because he "made fun of white people"? If anyone was ever a condemnation of discrimination based on the color of their skin, it should be MJ. He proved that skin color doesn't matter; he was successful because of his music, and the color of his skin changed nothing!

If you were offended by this, who cares! You got your feelings hurt? Your self esteem went down? You were knocked out of your happy place? Big deal. Suck it up, and stop crying.

/rant

*whew*

Sorry, guys. I've been seeing this everywhere, and I guess the thread caught me off guard. But it's what I honestly think; I'm just too tired of this BS right now to make nice.

 

[Fire Daemon]

While this Hey Hey it's Saturday skit is probably not intended to be racist, it's a pretty big low point for Australian television and this nation as a whole. It's needlessly offensive and not in any way humorous, and I find it somewhat offensive. Not offensive because it has white people with that black face paint on, offensive because it's what gets passed off as quality enjoyment in this country. I thought that most of the world got over this shit years ago. I know that it's 'Hey Hey It's Saturday', hardly the bastion of intelligent comedy, but come on Australia.

To those saying it isn't racist, well guys and gals it kind of is.

They probably didn't have the intention of being racist, in fact I strongly believe that they didn't, however most things like this don't have the intention of being racist. Cast your mind back to those WB cartoons or those minstrel shows in the 50's and earlier with racist materials. Do you think that they had the intent of insulting a large group with negative stereotypes surrounding that group? Do you really think that the writers got together and said 'let's do something that would really insult those black fella's, cos they are scum'. They probably different. What most likely occured is them sitting around thing 'Hmm what do people find funny? Oh I know, a black bugs bunny saying don't beat me massah to a confederate soldier, because that's how black people used to talk. Oh and give him a banjo and make him look lazy, cos that's what black people look like. Yeah that'll get a few laughs.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8D93Awa434&feature=related

Maybe it didn't go down exactly like that, but the racist images, cartoons and shows were intended as jokes for a white audience and didn't try to insult black (or any other group) people. You could argue that this skit doesn't intend to insult, and I do agree with you, but just because it didn't intend to insult doesn't make it not racist. Racism is born from ignorance anyone. Saying that because you're ignorant of the offense you may cause doesn't make you not racist.

This skit doesn't really portray any negative stereotypes, it's really more a jab at the Jackson 5. If this didn't have the black make up I doubt anyone would care. But when it links to things which now would be considered incredibly racist in such a strong way today, well how can you not call it racist.

Those saying that it's 'just a joke so hence not racist'. Yeah, I got some jokes for ya.

Spoiler

Did you hear Hallmark was making an obama Christmas ornament?
They want to give Americans the gift they all want, that ****** hanging in a tree!

A man walks into a bar with a picture of a cat, he tells the bartender it's $100 for the picture and $100 for the story behind it. The bartender says he'll take the picture, but doesn't care about the story. At the end of his shift he throws it in the backseat of his car and drives home. He notices thousands of cats following his car! He gets worried and stops on a bridge and throws the picture off, the thousands of cats jump off too, following the picture.

The next day the same man comes into the bar, he asks the bartender if he's ready for the story behind the picture. The bartender says, "No, but if you have a picture of martin luther king, jr I'll take it!"

What happened to the ****** who had an abortion?
Crime Stoppers sent her a check for $500!

A little girl wrote to Sarah Palin asking, "How did the human race start?". Sarah Palin answered, "God made Adam and Eve, they had children and all mankind was made."

THe next day the little girl wrote to michelle obama and asked the same question. Michelle obama answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys in africa from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl went to her father and asked, "How come Sarah Palin told me that mankind was created by God, and michelle obama told me mankind evolved from monkeys?"

Her father answeres, "Well, it's very simple . . . Sarah Palin told you about her ancestors, and michelle obama told you about hers!"

Got these all from here: http://www.racist-jokes.com/index.php?cat=niggers&page=page1

Check out all the other ones. The jokes about fags are great.

But hey, they're not racist. I mean, those are just jokes, right? It's not like they are in any way shape or form racist. How could they be?

 

[Nickolai77]

Nothing wrong with it, they painted their faces black, donned wig's and got dressed up so to look like the Jackson 5. It's also comedy anyway. It's more about the Jackson's than the African-American race.

The fact that racism and political correctness is still an issue seems to indicate that society is still uncomfortable about the fact that there are different races.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

Nothing wrong with it, they painted their faces black, donned wig's and got dressed up so to look like the Jackson 5. It's also comedy anyway. It's more about the Jackson's than the African-American race.

The fact that racism and political correctness is still an issue seems to indicate that society is still uncomfortable about the fact that there are different races.[/quote

Yup and the fact that some people have nothing better to do then looking for stuff they could be offended by indicates that there are a lot of dumb people out there with way to much free time. Dont waste your thoughts on stuff like races or religion, do something Usefull. Try to make it better instead of behaving destructive.

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

I think it was a fairly naff joke, but it was a joke against Jacko, not against race, and I don't see any problem with mocking him. Anyone who has that much pointless cosmetic surgery deserves mocking in my book.

 

[SadakoMoose]

i actually watched this with a black guy (well, timorese) and he didnt care really
not many people in australia actually care i think
its just a bunch of PC wankers screaming especially loud

You should go see Bamboozled.
Blackface is a very serious matter...
it's the remnant of past dehumanization.

 

[TheRealCJ]

While this Hey Hey it's Saturday skit is probably not intended to be racist, it's a pretty big low point for Australian television and this nation as a whole. It's needlessly offensive and not in any way humorous, and I find it somewhat offensive. Not offensive because it has white people with that black face paint on, offensive because it's what gets passed off as quality enjoyment in this country. I thought that most of the world got over this shit years ago. I know that it's 'Hey Hey It's Saturday', hardly the bastion of intelligent comedy, but come on Australia.

To those saying it isn't racist, well guys and gals it kind of is.

They probably didn't have the intention of being racist, in fact I strongly believe that they didn't, however most things like this don't have the intention of being racist. Cast your mind back to those WB cartoons or those minstrel shows in the 50's and earlier with racist materials. Do you think that they had the intent of insulting a large group with negative stereotypes surrounding that group? Do you really think that the writers got together and said 'let's do something that would really insult those black fella's, cos they are scum'. They probably different. What most likely occured is them sitting around thing 'Hmm what do people find funny? Oh I know, a black bugs bunny saying don't beat me massah to a confederate soldier, because that's how black people used to talk. Oh and give him a banjo and make him look lazy, cos that's what black people look like. Yeah that'll get a few laughs.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8D93Awa434&feature=related

Maybe it didn't go down exactly like that, but the racist images, cartoons and shows were intended as jokes for a white audience and didn't try to insult black (or any other group) people. You could argue that this skit doesn't intend to insult, and I do agree with you, but just because it didn't intend to insult doesn't make it not racist. Racism is born from ignorance anyone. Saying that because you're ignorant of the offense you may cause doesn't make you not racist.

This skit doesn't really portray any negative stereotypes, it's really more a jab at the Jackson 5. If this didn't have the black make up I doubt anyone would care. But when it links to things which now would be considered incredibly racist in such a strong way today, well how can you not call it racist.

Those saying that it's 'just a joke so hence not racist'. Yeah, I got some jokes for ya.

Spoiler

Did you hear Hallmark was making an obama Christmas ornament?
They want to give Americans the gift they all want, that ****** hanging in a tree!

A man walks into a bar with a picture of a cat, he tells the bartender it's $100 for the picture and $100 for the story behind it. The bartender says he'll take the picture, but doesn't care about the story. At the end of his shift he throws it in the backseat of his car and drives home. He notices thousands of cats following his car! He gets worried and stops on a bridge and throws the picture off, the thousands of cats jump off too, following the picture.

The next day the same man comes into the bar, he asks the bartender if he's ready for the story behind the picture. The bartender says, "No, but if you have a picture of martin luther king, jr I'll take it!"

What happened to the ****** who had an abortion?
Crime Stoppers sent her a check for $500!

A little girl wrote to Sarah Palin asking, "How did the human race start?". Sarah Palin answered, "God made Adam and Eve, they had children and all mankind was made."

THe next day the little girl wrote to michelle obama and asked the same question. Michelle obama answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys in africa from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl went to her father and asked, "How come Sarah Palin told me that mankind was created by God, and michelle obama told me mankind evolved from monkeys?"

Her father answeres, "Well, it's very simple . . . Sarah Palin told you about her ancestors, and michelle obama told you about hers!"

Got these all from here: http://www.racist-jokes.com/index.php?cat=niggers&page=page1

Check out all the other ones. The jokes about fags are great.

But hey, they're not racist. I mean, those are just jokes, right? It's not like they are in any way shape or form racist. How could they be?

Way to miss the point completely, dickhead.

Those 'jokes' are just racism dress up as a 'joke'.

We're talking about jokes that are unintentionally racist. These guys were making fun of the jackon 5, and chose to wear blackface. They didn't come on and stage a lynching or talk about how black people are the scum of the earth.

 

[Monkeytacoz]

man, people are the biggest crybabies. i suggest no more tears shampoo

 

[Jharry5]

Is that clip a joke done in bad taste? Yes.
Could it be seen as being racist? Yes.
Do I think it's racist? Not really. I just saw a poor joke aired only a few months after Michael Jackson died. Maybe it's got more to do with that (but I doubt it). Even if some people find it offensive, surely they have a right to Freedom of Speech?

 

[titanium turtle]

Well, a lot of people are just looking for the littlest excuses to exploit racism nowadays.
I would say "This just stamped my faith in humanity down into the dirt", but not all are bad, hence that would fall under the category of racism against humanity and you have no right to post here.
I heard about a black person who got off the hook in some botched refund or return because he made cries to "RACISM!".
On a completely random note;
Why does everyone hate the BLACK jellybean?

because it is not the nicest flavou- I prefer orange

 

[Jim Grim]

it was funny

Mmkay. I thought it was a really bad joke in really bad taste, but I guess if it offend to many people i can't exactly go up in arms about it.

 

[oppp7]

I think it can be taken out of context, but overall comedy is just comedy. And even if something is ment to be racist, who cares? Words don't really mean anything unless you let them mean something.

 

[Darth Pope]

Don't care, Australians are all backwards anyway the world needs to calm down on the race thing.

 

[amrl]

Everyone is so politically sensitive these days.

 

[goldenheart323]

PC people are just big hypocrites! They love to proclaim everyone's equal, but they don't really believe that! Here we have some entertainers who just happen to be white trying to portray a famous musical group that just happens to have black members, but apparently they're "not allowed" to do that because they're white! Sounds racist to me doesn't it??? Where's the equality?!!!

Seriously though, PC people have good intentions but are in need of some serious re-tooling. So long as they say things like "It's ok for him to use that word because of what race he is, and it's bad for you to use that same word because you're white," they are hypocrites and lack much credibility in my book. Oh, I bet you could point out 1 or 2 PC people who do object regardless of race, but they are a tiny minority. "Famous black rapper uses the n-word! Critics outraged" is never a headline you'll see.

It's been historically established that black face is a racist thing. There is no history I am aware of for "white face" being considered racist. However, I've never heard of any black person performing "white faced" before the movie "White Chicks". To compare them, I'd 1st have to see some minstrel shows, which I have no plans of doing.

 

[Skreeee]

Were they intentionally being racist? I don't think so, especially since black face doesn't hold the same connotations in Australia that it does in America due to history (unless Australia also had a big Vaudeville craze too). Black face is considered extremely offensive in America because of it's place in entertainment history as a means for white performers to make blacks the butt of harsh jokes. At the same time the majority of theaters also denied most black performers the chance to showcase their acts, so the idea of black face still to these days tends to leave a bad taste in almost anyone's mouth.

Hell, Louis Armstrong (a black man for those of you few people that don't know), wore black face once, and the black community was absolutely FURIOUS.

Have times changed enough to render Connick Jr.'s feelings moot? I'm not sure, but I do believe he has the right to be offended, even if the majority of Australians may or may not truly understand where he's coming from on those feelings.

Honestly, I would have found the act funnier if it had just been a bunch of goofy white guys without the black face on.

 

[Skreeee]

While this Hey Hey it's Saturday skit is probably not intended to be racist, it's a pretty big low point for Australian television and this nation as a whole. It's needlessly offensive and not in any way humorous, and I find it somewhat offensive. Not offensive because it has white people with that black face paint on, offensive because it's what gets passed off as quality enjoyment in this country. I thought that most of the world got over this shit years ago. I know that it's 'Hey Hey It's Saturday', hardly the bastion of intelligent comedy, but come on Australia.

To those saying it isn't racist, well guys and gals it kind of is.

They probably didn't have the intention of being racist, in fact I strongly believe that they didn't, however most things like this don't have the intention of being racist. Cast your mind back to those WB cartoons or those minstrel shows in the 50's and earlier with racist materials. Do you think that they had the intent of insulting a large group with negative stereotypes surrounding that group? Do you really think that the writers got together and said 'let's do something that would really insult those black fella's, cos they are scum'. They probably different. What most likely occured is them sitting around thing 'Hmm what do people find funny? Oh I know, a black bugs bunny saying don't beat me massah to a confederate soldier, because that's how black people used to talk. Oh and give him a banjo and make him look lazy, cos that's what black people look like. Yeah that'll get a few laughs.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8D93Awa434&feature=related

Maybe it didn't go down exactly like that, but the racist images, cartoons and shows were intended as jokes for a white audience and didn't try to insult black (or any other group) people. You could argue that this skit doesn't intend to insult, and I do agree with you, but just because it didn't intend to insult doesn't make it not racist. Racism is born from ignorance anyone. Saying that because you're ignorant of the offense you may cause doesn't make you not racist.

This skit doesn't really portray any negative stereotypes, it's really more a jab at the Jackson 5. If this didn't have the black make up I doubt anyone would care. But when it links to things which now would be considered incredibly racist in such a strong way today, well how can you not call it racist.

Those saying that it's 'just a joke so hence not racist'. Yeah, I got some jokes for ya.

Spoiler

Did you hear Hallmark was making an obama Christmas ornament?
They want to give Americans the gift they all want, that ****** hanging in a tree!

A man walks into a bar with a picture of a cat, he tells the bartender it's $100 for the picture and $100 for the story behind it. The bartender says he'll take the picture, but doesn't care about the story. At the end of his shift he throws it in the backseat of his car and drives home. He notices thousands of cats following his car! He gets worried and stops on a bridge and throws the picture off, the thousands of cats jump off too, following the picture.

The next day the same man comes into the bar, he asks the bartender if he's ready for the story behind the picture. The bartender says, "No, but if you have a picture of martin luther king, jr I'll take it!"

What happened to the ****** who had an abortion?
Crime Stoppers sent her a check for $500!

A little girl wrote to Sarah Palin asking, "How did the human race start?". Sarah Palin answered, "God made Adam and Eve, they had children and all mankind was made."

THe next day the little girl wrote to michelle obama and asked the same question. Michelle obama answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys in africa from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl went to her father and asked, "How come Sarah Palin told me that mankind was created by God, and michelle obama told me mankind evolved from monkeys?"

Her father answeres, "Well, it's very simple . . . Sarah Palin told you about her ancestors, and michelle obama told you about hers!"

Got these all from here: http://www.racist-jokes.com/index.php?cat=niggers&page=page1

Check out all the other ones. The jokes about fags are great.

But hey, they're not racist. I mean, those are just jokes, right? It's not like they are in any way shape or form racist. How could they be?

Way to miss the point completely, dickhead. (<----Well that's mature.)

Those 'jokes' are just racism dress up as a 'joke'.

We're talking about jokes that are unintentionally racist. These guys were making fun of the jackon 5, and chose to wear blackface. They didn't come on and stage a lynching or talk about how black people are the scum of the earth.

I think what he was saying is that, while this group's black face may not have been intended to be racist, the act of wearing it has roots in much more malevolent entertainment fair of the past, and is therefore a source of squeamish reactions in America.

At least, I think that's what the beginning's about, I really don't get what all the truly racist jokes are there for at the end.

 

[randomrob]

In terms of racism I pretty much agree with what Yahtzee said in his 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand review. People of all races need to learn to take a fucking joke.

 

[Fwee]

I have to say I don't find this overtly racist. Usually when the presented material disparages or attacks, or tries to convince others of inferiority or wrongness of some kind, is when you're having a problem with racism. I've seen some sad examples of racism, probably not the worst anyone's ever seen with their own two eyes, but it leaves a certain impression. Almost like mind-rape.
Gotta say the bit wasn't funny but I can see a small grain of funny in the concept, just needs lots of work. I myself don't know what balance of "black people in whiteface/white people in blackface" makes for absolute comedy gold, but I can say with enough experimentation someone could change television history! Call together the funniest black and jewish comedians for a brainstorm.
P.s. Isn't this basically the Gong Show? So these guys knew they were talentless and getting the Gong anyway, so at least they'd be infamous jackoffs.

 

[Grayjack]

No, it's a parody of the 'blackface" actors. I suggest this for crybabies.

Spoiler