Shane Warne cleared of racial taunt against Ntini
One of the washups of the second Test was Ricky Ponting having to smooth over a potential racial slur from Shane Warne against Makhaya Ntini. When Ntini came out to bat, Warne called him "John Blackman". He was referring to the voice over guy from TV show "Hey, Hey, It's Saturday" who did the voice of Dicky Knee, a reference to Ntini's injured knee. Ntini took it as a racial slur, responding with "Hey, enough of the black". Ponting had to quickly clear the air with Graeme Smith shortly afterwards. While it's a bit of a joke looking back at it now, how stupid is Warne? Did he think Ntini would've had a clue what he was talking about, referring to a little known voice actor from an old Australian show that ended years ago? Particularly with all the racial tension from Perth and one guy getting evicted from the MCG. And as a cartoonist who's been through the experience many times, I know a joke has failed when you have to explain it afterwards. At least I haven't had the danger of a international incident flaring up from one of my jokes.
| Posted by JC on Fri 30 Dec |  6 comments |
Yep, Warnie's a proven dill alright... but isn't Ntini black though? Why would he be upset at this stupid remark? It ain't derogatory - just plain fact. No different from from calling Mark Taylor 'tubby' or Greg Matthews 'baldy' in my books. Maybe it's an ultra-sensitive sitch in SA? Anyhow, still a dumb thing to say - don't think Warnie's post-career activities will include after dinner speaking or a spot on the Ch9 comm team, do you?
Posted by virtualgaz on 2005-12-31 16:24:36
Posted by virtualgaz on 2005-12-31 16:24:36
I'd think what with the racial taunts in Melbourne and particularly Perth, not to mention a few decades of apartheid, it's probably a sensitive subject among South Africans and Warnie could have used just a tad more tact.
Posted by JC on 2006-01-01 00:04:13
Posted by JC on 2006-01-01 00:04:13
Warnie...tact... please explain?
Posted by virtualgaz on 2006-01-01 13:53:48
Posted by virtualgaz on 2006-01-01 13:53:48
Are we all stupids? If Shane Warne wanted to make a joke why didn\'t he say Dicky Knee instead of saying John Blackman. You bet it was a racist slur! Just when I was enjoying the test series and particlularly Shane\'s superb bowling tactics and skills - he\'s spolied it for me!
Posted by wombat on 2006-01-01 14:15:29
Posted by wombat on 2006-01-01 14:15:29
Sorry mate, calling a black man 'black' isn't racist - he was trying to be smart and humorous and, once again, put his foot in his mouth. It won't be the last time.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2006-01-02 00:58:42
Posted by virtualgaz on 2006-01-02 00:58:42
It's not, but making fun of a persons skin colour in the form of a joke is.
Posted by Nermics on 2007-09-15 20:04:25
Posted by Nermics on 2007-09-15 20:04:25
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