77%

So once more Australia is the laughing stock of the world.  To be more specific, I'm referring to the already infamous blackface sketch imitating the Jackson 5 on the Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion.

Lots has been written about it, which I won't reprise here.  However, here are my observations:

1. Good on Harry Connick Jr for stating his objections up front.  That's hard to do and I admire someone who stands up for what they believe in.
2. Even if HCJr did once imitate a black preacher (and I haven't seen it), that has no bearing on whether the HHIS sketch was racist. 
3. Even if HCJr did once imitate a black preacher (and I haven't seen it), that was then - this is now.  Perhaps that was why he felt compelled to speak out - who knows?  There's a big difference between hypocrisy and someone changing their mind or opinions as time passes.  And even hypocrits are right 50% of the time.
   
4. I think the sketch was racist.  However, it was the best sort of racism - the sort that is loud and public and initiates debate.  Silent racism is much worse - the type that gets emailed around as jokes or revealed only in selected company where people won't "take it the wrong way".  No one learns anything from that.
   
5. "It really wasn't intended to be anything to do with racism at all" is not an apology - it's an excuse.  Try taking responsibility for something you twits.
   

Here's an experiment for you to try: go to http://google.com and type in these words:

why are Australians so

and see what suggestions google has for what you're going to type in next. 

Think about it.  (Think think about it)