Harry Connick Jnr. decided to lecture the Australians about racism because the comedy show he appeared on had a comedy skit showing a black man with white makeup on as Michael Jackson and a range of other nationalities with black makeup on playing the rest of the group. These were not professional comedians and the segment was called Red Faces. He voiced his self righteous indignation and went on to lecture about how Americans have stopped making buffoons of blacks for many years.
I would like to see him lecture Oprah in the same ill considered way as she appeared on the TV show 30 Rock and was involved in a skit that did exactly the same. Dressed whites as blacks and blacks as whites to get a laugh.
Australia does not have the same history of slavery the USA does and do not understand the embarrassment the whites feel or the need to over compensate for it as Harry Connick Jnr did. However they did see it for what it appeared to be. A mediocre performance from Harry Connick Jnr. Shame on Harry, i'm sure Oprah would not be involved in anything she thought was inappropriate regarding a race matter so what makes him feel he can chastise others in their own country. This is the signs of a pretender.
What are your thought on this? Do you think he should ring Oprah and try to teach her a few lessons about what offends black people or do you think the only lessons to learn here is by Harry himself?
Replies for this Forum Topic
What are your thought on this? Do you think he should ring Oprah and try to teach her a few lessons about what offends black people or do you think the only lessons to learn here is by Harry himself?
My thoughts are that it's not unusual for non-Americans to criticize what they don't understand. I wouldn't pretend to know how the relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal people should be represented on an American TV show--or in any other venue.
Oprah has nothing to do with this. But if you want to drag her into it, my reply would be that she understands pretty well that blackface was popular in the U.S. during a time when bigotry was prevalent. Now, it's a form of satire that is largely used to make points about race relations by American black entertainers. Would she also acknowledge that it's inappropriate? Who knows. But it's distinctly American and therefore important to understanding who we are in this country. That doesn't mean it can't be seen as insensitive.
If you think Harry Connick, Jr was just trying to lecture all of Australia and make a scene, I don't what to tell you. The guy has been playing jazz with black musicians all his life and he respects them enough to voice his opinion when he thinks their characters are being impugned. It has nothing to do with Australia or the TV show or the people behind the make-up.
Oh yeah--by the way--when I read what he actually said I laughed out loud, man. "Hey, Hey, there's no more show"--that was classic Harry!
ClayBusby