Anyone else more than a little confused by Qantas' decision about black face?

[kpc]

Qantas is at the centre of a scandal after posting a photo on Twitter of two men with their faces painted black and wearing afro wigs.

The airline, a major Wallabies sponsor, had given the two fans free tickets to the Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup, held on Saturday night, for promising dress up as their favourite player Radike Samo - an Australian of Fijian heritage.

Qantas apologises for blackface stunt

 

[k_sheep]

ABC getting their 2c in ...

Qantas under fire over blackface stunt - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[markis10]

I am waiting for Channel Nine to do a live cross from the chopper on the subject somewhere near Suncorp , which is probably in its hanger!

 

[Hvr]

One would have thought that in this day and age they could have probably chosen a better term than 'Crusade'. Too many religious overtones.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am waiting for Channel Nine to do a live cross from the chopper on the subject somewhere near Suncorp , which is probably in its hanger!

4 heads rolled over that one! :shock:

Guess Ch9 didn't factor on the Ch7 execs who lived in nearby Bardon & Kenmore being plane spotters or by their own admission 'aviation tragics'.

 

[stuartfaz]

If Radike Samo OAM has no issue with people paying homage to him like this, then I don't.

I hope this won't cause Qantas to dull down or stop their social media efforts. I reckon they're one of the few companies really using the medium well.

 

[Fantic125]

As a person with pale skin, freckles and hair that used to be bright ginger, (what's left is now predominantly greyish) I too used to be taunted with jibes and slurs for something I had absolutely no control over or choice in.

Interestingly, it is still considered socially acceptable to make fun of people with my colouring. :shock:

One thing you recognise early on is the difference between someone;
1. ribbing you,
2. paying you out,
3. having a problem with your colouring.


#1 & 2 is usually done by people you know or respect you, whereas #3 is usually done by people who are either cough*wits, idiots or both.


IMHO, I think these guys fall into category 1 / 2, and no disrespect was meant.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

It really begs the question: if the person that this is being directed at is not racially sensitive and has publicly approved such humour/admiration, does that mean no one else has the right to be offended?

I also read that Big Boi (rapper from the American group Outkast) was offended during his recent tour to NZ over the term 'all blacks', and of 'Golliwog' dolls being sold at an Auckland Airport souvenir shop (Golliwogs go after rapper's tweeting - Entertainment - NZ Herald News)

 

[JohnK]

So the person was not offended and in fact was flattered and we are continuing to debate the decision?

 

[Fantic125]

So the person was not offended and in fact was flattered and we are continuing to debate the decision?

I'm pretty sure there's still another 3 full circle's to go yet......

 

[Mal]

I saw this on twitter this morning and shook my head.

Not because I was offended, but because I knew the outrage it would cause. True to form, the discussion is all over the media now, and everyone seems to be throwing in their various views.

IMHO society is too precious. We are so tied up with political correctness these days that nobody knows what is right and wrong, and we spend ages trying to avoid the minefield.

Let's see:
- Kindergardens that change the words in songs because they were non-PC.
- Books > 100 years old that are now re-worded to remove words that imply same sex relationships, different classes of people or anything else that people may see as non-PC.
- Nursery Rhymes that are being modified or being removed.
- Food products and other trademarks being changed.
- Job titles being changed to be non-gender specific.

etc etc.

 

[Leumas]

'This slip-up is caused by Qantas sending some of the aircraft maintenance overseas.' -- Anonymous union official

 

[Oneworldplus2]

QF in the news, again, over racisim this time.

Qantas apologises for Radike Samo Rugby Union Twitter farce

QANTAS has apologised for rewarding two rugby union fans who promised to wear black face paint and afro wigs at the Tri-Nations decider.

The Twitter competition, held earlier this month, asked Australian fans to tell how they would show their support for the team for the chance to win two exclusive tickets to the game with New Zealand at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The competition winners arrived at the game dressed as their favorite player, Radike Samo, wearing Australia's famous green and gold and with their arms, legs and faces painted black. Qantas posted a photo of the duo on its official Twitter page.

WTF is wrong with that?!?!?
PC is going overboard nowadays.
If 'I' were in charge of QF, I'd say, "coughk off (news.com.au) and write something more interesting instead of this garbage!"
Seems like QF can't win anymore. nonews.com.au hidden agenda is actually becoming more and more transparent, blindingly obvious now.

I actually watched the match and loved every minute of it, including Radike Samo's try, fantastic! I would love to see more of Radike Samo on the field. The Rugby world cup is soon approaching, can't wait.

Go the Wallabies! If they play like they did over the weekend, l think that we have a serious chance of winning.

//rant over...//

 

[samh004]

Re: QF in the news, again, over racisim this time.

Perhaps those two fans didn’t think it through completely either, but I’d imagine most Australians and foreigners would take it as a faux pas instead of them being blatantly racist, but it still shouldn’t be highlighted

 

[nlagalle]

Re: QF in the news, again, over racisim this time.

There is another thread about this..

Personally, I am sick to death of everything having to be so politically correct. It's a farce! Heck the player in question (who the fans dressed up as) thought it was good! That should have been the end of it!

</rant over>

 

[oz_mark]

As a person with pale skin, freckles and hair that used to be bright ginger, (what's left is now predominantly greyish) I too used to be taunted with jibes and slurs for something I had absolutely no control over or choice in.

Interestingly, it is still considered socially acceptable to make fun of people with my colouring. :shock:

One thing you recognise early on is the difference between someone;
1. ribbing you,
2. paying you out,
3. having a problem with your colouring.

Agree with this.

These two guys are clearly demonstrating a bit of hero worship - hardly anything discriminatory there. They seemed to be acknowledging their hero in a humorous way.

Unfortunately, it seems to tread on the toes of people tied up with US history. We have enough of our own racial issues without importing another countries problems. Fans should be able to demonstrate their support for their hero's anyway they like, as long as it is done with respect (and in this case, a dose of humour)

I'm reminded of the problem KFC ran into, when advertising its product during the West Indies tour. People got upset over something that has no meaning in Australian history.

 

[Flying High]

It's pertinent to recognise that the man at the centre - Samo - did not find it offensive. As he says, "these guys were actually paying me a tribute". Were the afro wigs not big enough? Do people with eyesight problems get offended by kids dressing up with fake glasses as Harry Potter? Do Scots get offended by non-Scottish people wearing kilts and Andy Capp hats with red hair wig underneath?

Come on people - let's all calm down and recognise it for the harmless joke it was.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Sorry, I only saw this on nonews this morning and didn't see Mal's thread.

News.com.au
Their standard of journalism is sinking steadily as each day passes.

 

[TonyHancock]

I take offence to the constant sniping at DYKWIA's here on AFF. We have feelings too. Just because I am arrogant, rude, ignorant, self important, self delusional, baking dish shallow and have no charm does not give anyone the right to have a go at me! (I wonder if I can register as a minority?)

 

[Timba-Jet]

Like most others, have no issues with this.

Though media coverage is not a surprise, how do we get the balance between targeting the true racism or prejudice issues vs one like this??