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

[Meggsy]

The old saying is 'imitation is the highest form of flattery'. Radike Samo felt chuffed to have some fans like that. Whats the issue. Move along , nothing to see here.

 

[Taezar]

Thankyou everyone for your thoughts. It is so subjective - and will continue to be a polarising issue.
I certainly don't think they were behaving in a racist manner, but I do still think it was culturally insensitive and not appropriate.
We spend a lot of time and money on programs for Ingig, PI, TSI communities as well as educating the public on cultural sensitivity.
From the discussions of our Indig staff today - one of whom saw them on the TV - she was gobsmacked, I think it is fair to say that just because some people don't find it offensive doesn't mean others don't. Best to err on the side of caution.
I am still amazed that Qantas went ahead with this... also surprised by their comment that they didn't know what they were planning, as the twitter stream showed that they were told.
Thanks again for all your opinions.
Taez

 

[simongr]

I am undecided on this one. Personally I wouldn't do something like simply because I know what reaction you would get. Equally I wouldn't endorse this in a company position as there is only downside - no-one is going to cheer your brand doing something like this.

It is a sad state that we are in this position but frankly we are what we have made ourselves - you may not like it but you do have to live within it.

 

[MarkD]

Jesus. The world has gone wacko. The bloke they were taking the piss out of has seen it as harmless, humourous an in fun. Yet the dogooder minority lovers are carrying on. Most of them need to go out get jobs and worry about their own affairs

Oh and btw any indiginous whinging is null as dks is a pacific islander (tongan i think) anyway not aboriginal




Sent from my iphone and AFF app

 

[Kendall Roy]

Not exactly in context, but the end message I believe is relevant!

* Chopper Reid - Harden the cough up, Australia - YouTube

* Not for young kids!

 

[markis10]

Oh and btw any indiginous whinging is null as dks is a pacific islander (tongan i think) anyway not aboriginal

That would make him a pacific islander aboriginal, aboriginal being a noun that means original or indigenous to a place rather than a specific name for a race. It was first used in the 1540's to describe the original Greeks and Italians .

 

[MarkD]

That would make him a pacific islander aboriginal, aboriginal being a noun that means original or indigenous to a place rather than a specific name for a race. It was first used in the 1540's to describe the original Greeks and Italians .

Well i guess thst makes me scottish aboriginal an I am not offended!

I know the guy personally from brumbies/ canberra Vikings days and all the cough is just not him. People should give up the cause, because the people they are fighting for the cause for are laughing their guts out at how uptight they are getting over something that does not bother them.

Reminds me of the falan gong mob down in the valley. Arguing the cause with constant protests etc when chinese nationals just think they are raving lunatics

Ps thanks for the hostory lesson, never too old to learn

Sent from my iphone and AFF app

 

[rsellens]

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.

Exactly. This just shows how bloody ridiculous PC has become in this country. You're in the s**t if you vilify somebody who is not Caucasian but it is just as bad to do something that essentially is hero worship. I have seen fans dressed up as other players and nothing is said. You can't look like a Samo if you don't have the same facial characteristics. (I was going to say a black face that obviously that would not be PC)

 

[medhead]

Google told me he was born in Fiji.

The best comment on the qantas FB page was from some goose who claims the whole affair is an attack on the African-American Civil Rights movement. I kid you not. African-American civil rights!!! For Fijians!!! Seriously some people have NFI.

 

[Leumas]

I think one thing to remember, and perhaps QF didn't help themselves with their original tweet, is context. The original/early reports only said these blokes painted their faces black and put on an afro, there was no mention of Samo. Certainly with the tweet that I read from QF, it went along the line of, 'well done, haha', etc...

It's not until later that QF clarified that it was a tribute to Samo and they've talked to him about it. It's only then, they withdrew the picture. In today's world, it's too late.

Personally, whether it's offensive or not, you'll never get a blanket agreement. I just think it's stupid thing to do especially given the 'Hey Hey' saga. The media ran with it because, a) it's QF, and b) it's Sunday and a slow news day.

 

[maureeng]

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

Qantas apologises for Radike Samo Rugby Union Twitter farce


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...//

I totally agree that PC is going overboard. Our office is very multi cultural but its funny how I can be constantly ribbed for my accent (Scottish) but nobody would dare mimic some of the other nationalities accents for fear of being hauled before human resources for being racist. Maybe we are just a tougher breed and more broad shouldered as we can take it for the good humour that is intended.

 

[UP4014]

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'.

And if Ch9 had done nothing think of the field day for Media Watch.

 

[macka42]

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

I totally agree that PC is going overboard. Our office is very multi cultural but its funny how I can be constantly ribbed for my accent (Scottish) but nobody would dare mimic some of the other nationalities accents for fear of being hauled before human resources for being racist. Maybe we are just a tougher breed and more broad shouldered as we can take it for the good humour that is intended.

Agree with the recent posts, seems just part of the QF bashing in the media combined with selective protectiveness

 

[Greggsy]

I was lucky enough to be at the game on Saturday night and was out the front of the stadium when the two guys walked past. I knew straight away that they were trying to pay homage to Radike and didn't even consider it to be politically incorrect until the media **** storm that hit twitter the next morning.

Greg.

 

[JohnK]

Political correctness gone totally wrong.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The guys involved probably didn't realise the implications of 'black face'. Nor did the rugby player.

The issue i have is with Qantas using this. They fly to America where they should know that black face, because of its history, is seen as deeply offensive.

QF is a world airline... the so called 'spirit of Australia'. There is no room for black face in that context.

From a PR point of view, QF staff handling the issue should have been more aware, and more professional. however, these are the same guys that suggested playing 'I spy' via tweet with people who had been on hold for 8 and 9 hours during the ash crisis. It's just another example of how Qantas has likely hired some 20 something media person who really has no idea. The evidence to that fact now seems to be mounting...

As for the argument 'well the guy at the centre of it was not offended' - that too is incorrect. The racial element was not because of the rugby player, it was because of the black face.

Going one step further... one person cannot answer on behalf of their fellow members. What one liberal muslim/jew/catholic might find inoffensive may be offensive to others. That one liberal cannot validate anything on behalf of others.... that is one rugby player can't now validate the use of black face simply because they didn't find it offensive (and most likely didn't even understand it...)

 

[TonyHancock]

From a PR point of view, QF staff handling the issue should have been more aware, and more professional. however, these are the same guys that suggested playing 'I spy' via tweet with people who had been on hold for 8 and 9 hours during the ash crisis. It's just another example of how Qantas has likely hired some 20 something media person who really has no idea. The evidence to that fact now seems to be mounting...

...and this makes it even less likely that QF will "empower" its staff. It is just a vicious circle. :-|