Article item posted on Thursday, October 8th 2009 at 10:28 am

Just when our politicians are streaming back from places like India after reassuring their opposite numbers that Australia is not racist and that the violent ingrates who steal phones and iPods are color-blind or at least not choosey, Daryl Somers’ “Hey, Hey” program confirms the Indians’ worst fears.

From London to Washington the international press is giving Australia a beating today.  Gee – thanks Daryl!

Guest on the show Harry Connick Jr, rightly pointed out that it would not have gone to air – or would have been pulled – in the United States and managed to extract this apology broadcast at the end of the show:

“I think we may have offended you with that act and I deeply apologise on behalf of all of us – because I know that to your countrymen, that’s an insult to have a black-face routine like that on the show, so I do apologise to you,” Somers said, appearing embarrassed and stammering his words.”

Well Daryl, it’s a poor, wimpy and disconnected apology – and here’s why.

It’s offensive to our citizens.  To indigenous peoples, to ethnic communities, particularly after the scurrilous recent targeting of members of the Sudanese community including severe racially motivated beatings.

This isn’t the 1980’s or 1950’s, Mr Somers.  Stick to conversing with hats on broom sticks and pink ostriches – where your major talents appear to lie.

It is disgraceful that you, the producers and channel 9 television are unaware of the devastating consequences of such infantile “entertainment”.

It’s offensive because our Indigenous peoples are still under the thumb of the “Great John Howard Intervention”.   Considered doing something “positive” for them instead?

A challenge, Daryl Somers: do a show to highlight the plight of our indigenous people under the intervention.  Through comic wit, highlight our pathetic political leaders who introduced and continue to enforce it and the truck loads of “consultants” bleeding it dry without anything being done on the ground for those affected.  Restore some of your credibility.  Do some good.  Strike a blow for humanity, for our indigenous peoples.

I’m not holding my breath for that to happen.

That the amateur “actor” involved in the skit was partially of Indian decent is irrelevant.  Commercial television comes with sound and picture – not a genetic indicator with which to divine “ironies”.

There is funny and funny.  Maligning people on race, religion, gender, gender alignment or any of the multitude of other damaging “jokes” we’ve heard since the year dot is no longer funny.

The Australian public are better than that.

Shame on you, Daryl and Channel 9!

What message do we want to send to the world in this age of mass global communication?  That we are a nation of racist hillbilly hicks?

We can – and must – do better than this.

What’s next?

A revival of the 1947 statement by ALP politician Arthur Augustus Calwell: “Two Wongs don’t make a White?”  Because your “humour” is no better, mate.

Don’t think so?  There is a reason Pauline Hanson failed to be re-elected.  Australians are above xenophobic “jokes”.  Channel Nine should be excrutiatingly aware of that irony!  Hello 60 Minutes?

Put  “Hey, Hey it’s Saturday” back in the archives, seal the door and throw away the key if “nostalgic material” like this is all it can do.

Scott Kane