Harry Connick handled the situation perfectly, without the luxury of thinking about the “right” thing to do or say. While taping a tv show in Australia, he was taken aback and visibly disturbed by a performing group doing a Jackson Five routine in “blackface”. Apparently, this is not offensive in Australia – but I wonder if the black Australians were consulted before this consensus was verified?
Connick immediately stated that if this were to happen in America, there would be no more show on the air. Here’s a bit of what he later wrote on his website:
I have watched the media storm that has erupted over my reaction to the Hey Hey blackface skit. Where I come from, blackface is a very specific and very derogatory thing. Perhaps this is different in other parts of the world, but in the American culture, the blackface image is steeped in a negative history and considered offensive. I urge everyone in the media to take a look at the history of blackface to fully understand why it is considered offensive. I also urge you to review the Hey Hey tape and you will see that I did not ascribe any motives to anyone, nor did I call anyone a racist. The blackface skit was a surprise to me and I was simply shocked to see this on TV. I do not believe that the performers intended any harm.
I appreciate the folks who have written in support but please know that I allow everyone their own opinions and can only speak for myself.
– Harry Connick Jr.
Not only did he unequivocally stand up to the offense, in a foreign land, but he clearly laid out exactly what his thoughts and intentions were (as well as what they were not). If only we could call be that calm, cool and collected.
