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Interesting to see how this is being reported overseas. In Australia, we never had the Black and White Minstrels or slavery and so the black face isn't associated with the racial put-down as it is in the USA. Harry Connick Jr is from Louisiana and is therefore very sensitive about being seen in such a segment. The show's producers should have realised this.

The show on which this took place has a segment called 'Red Faces' where the acts are expected to be appallingly bad and tasteless. This act appeared in this segment.

The guys who performed this act were almost all non-white Aussies. One is an Indian, another is an Arab and I think a Lebanese is included.

I think it was in poor taste given the Jacko has only been gone a few months, but the racism allegation is just a beat up. If you want to see racism go to Japan.

The show itself is crap by the way.

It may have not been intentionally racist but it was construed as racist and thats where the joke fell down

Why do we always end up talking about race and what upsets peopel versus why they shouldnt be upset?

It all comes back to the same thing so whats the point?

As a black person and with the recent death of MJ I did fine it VERY offensive. How anyone can find this funny is beyond me and I glad Harry Connick Jr for speaking up.

I mean are we back in the Black and White Minstrel Show time again? (yes this was way before my time but I have elderly relatives who very much remember this 'show' when they first came to the UK)

If you have a look on YouTube there are things that associate with this, that have happened as a result. The Whoopi Goldberg show, as I mentioned above, did a feature about it, and someone on the panel there says that Australia is differnt to America in that America has a past of oppressing black people and Australia doesn't. Because America had slavery, didn't even allow black people to vote until 40 years ago, have had race riots etc, then for an America group to 'black up' and impersonate the Jacksons would be offensive, ignorant, and nasty, where as an Australian group to do it is not quite the same. They do not have that same history that the yanks have so for the Aussie's to do such a thing should probably be regarded as misinformed, ill advised, nieve, but I think for anyone to regard them as racist or bigoted would be wrong. Theres an old saying: 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' which means people's intentions were good but it was seen as bad and in hindsight, looking back afterwards, they may not have done it. I would imagine 'the Jackson Jive' are probably thinking that now.

The easiest way for them to smooth things over is make a public apology as to leave it will only add insult to injury...Thats if they even give a hoot that is.

According to Harry Connick Jr they've done everything in America ... like incarcerating a disproportionate number of black and minority ethnic people in correctional facilities. He should consider other kinds of evidence or indicators other than whether or not as a society they 'appear' to be singing from the same PC hymnsheet.

Think about the irony of this for a moment....

The ones who spend the most time speaking about racism is actually... white people! (is that racist said by a half black or does being half white give me the right?)

Well said Porn Historian!! It will soon be coming to the point where white people will be scared to have a shite incase it turns out brown ....

Tel you are the only one claiming racism here - the other being a guy whos great aunt marjorie once saw the Black and White Minstrels 30 years ago ... quite frankly I couldn't give a flying kite what the Jackson Jive are getting up to at this point.