Australians are NOT racist! - Comments

Almost everyone is racist.
Maybe you should of posted it saying "Some Australians are NOT Racist".

Context comes into play in this issue a lot.

I can see why the act was offensive.

But in all honesty most Australians aren't as aware about this racial issues in America. It's as simple as that. If it's covered at school it's usually only briefly. Much more focus is put on Australias history.

So to Australians racist simply because they're not offended by the skit is wrong because they don't have the same historical context as Americans and don't deal with those particular racial issues ever really.

I think yeah... Bottom line you need to remember historical context and that Australia is a different country with a different history.

There are racist people is every race.

I pretty much grew up in Australia (my dad's from Brisbane) and my mom would actually throw fits about it being racist. My dad of course, would defend it. I didn't think that Australia was racist but then the stereotype became more clear as I got older and started hearing about it more and more.

I know that not all Australians are racists. People judge a country based on the media and it's leaders. The whole Hey Hey thing was lame. And that's why Australians are being judged.

I never saw the skit, but I think it's stupid for people to label Australia as a country of racists.

Ninjalover I completely agree with you. I was definitely offended by the skit. Harry Connick Jr is now my new hero. Oh and 'Hey Hey' won't be coming back... hence it being a reunion but I do disagree with you saying it sucked lol - in my opinion ;) I grew up with it and loved it... although, some things on there I don't particularly like. Especially when they make fun of obese people and other things.

No, Australians are racist.

But don't worry, because everyone else is, too.

MY OPINION (making it clear!)

No one is saying that your racist and I respect your opinion, I too am an Australian (well...not yet I still have to get the citzenship thing) but I found that skit offensive *my opinion.*
I was quite appalled when I watched the show and I thought it to right for Harry Connick Jr to speak up on the act (HE didn't over react it's just how he felt' and say that in America it would 'hey hey no more show'.
It makes me sick how everyone is just saying ‘It’s funny…’ or ‘It’s just a joke.’ And I’m not surprised the way Australians make out Aboriginals to be after all that's been done to them, but then other aussies would claim it’s ok because you just said ‘sorry’ but that doesn’t make up for everything that's been done.
I find the one of worst thing about this scandal is not owing up to the fault and then pointing the finger of shame at Mr. Connick himself, for a sketch he did 15 years ago claiming that it’s rich coming from him after ‘impersonating a southern black preacher’. I have news….HE WASN”T. But then people would reply by saying ‘But he looked tanned!’ and I think that’s low. It might have been funny 20 or so years ago but this is the FUTURE and times have changed incredibly, and just saying that ‘it wasn’t intended to offend or be racist.’ (it kinda was!)
It might just be different humour since I'm from England it might just be the case.
But this is an unwinable arguement in my opinion since there are many excuses for it and there are lots of reasons why it was racist.
But I think if channel nine had just apologised for this stupid thing and admitted to doing wrong instead making excuses, blaming others etc. it could all have been avoided!
This is MY OPINION so I just saying.
I thought it was racist and hope 'Hey hey' doesn't come back, (it sucked anyway! lol)

Olly ?

I don't think Australian's are racist but even before the Hey Hey "scandal" the label that Australia is racist was known around the world. We are seen as a racist country. The Hey Hey thing just adds to the world's opinion of us, they're not saying it just for that one particular incident.