RACE ROW “DOWN-UNDER” AS BLACKED – OUT FACES IMPERSONATED JACKSON 5 and Flying Eagles clipped…

Thanks to thesun.co.uk for bringing my attention to the latest international race row involving some Jackson 5 impersonators who decided to colour their faces black.

Tasteless Jackson 5 Impersonation

What irritated me was the comment as reported in the sun attributed to the Australian “Hey Hey, It’s Saturday” presenter Darryl Somers who simply said;

“If there were any Australians who were offended … on behalf of the show I apologise.”To most Australians I think it’s a storm in a tea cup.”

Really, Somers?

You really think so?

You are damn ignorant if you really think so, but I guess you are not because you knew what you were doing. For millions who never knew of you now do. That alone would have been worth a tiny storm in a coffee mug.

The Michael Jackson tribute group were slammed as offensive by guest judge Harry Connick Jnr who was appearing on the Australian variety show.

Offended Harry Connick Jnr

The American actor and swing crooner who felt uneasy and gave the act a zero score had this to say to the stunned studio audience:
“If I knew that was going to be part of the show I definitely wouldn’t have done it.”

Well said Harry, and damn right too.

Oh, before I forgot, the Nigerian Junior National team, the Flying Eagles, had their wings rightfully and deservedly clipped last night by the Germans in the ongoing Junior World Cup taking place in Egypt.

I made up my mind never to cast hope in Nigeria’s Footballers representing only themselves as opposed the fanatical football loving citizens of Nigeria. Last night, they only went on to do it again. I will not bore you with the story, except to mention I was listening in to a radio phone in on Brilla FM (a sports radio station) when fans phoned in with prayers against the enemy (which enemy?). Prayers that God is on outside. I wondered if the God I worship is a biased God that he will support Nigeria and not Germany. If he were to choose between both nations, he would have every right to support Germany. Why? Well, it would be similar to the parable of the talents. You all know what happened? Who much is given, much is expected.

It was another example of Nigeria living on hope instead of preparation, hard work and organisation as exemplified by the less talented but super efficient Germans.

Which brings me to the comment attributed to the Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pontiff praised Africa’s rich cultural and spiritual treasures, saying they were the “spiritual lung” for a world increasingly in a crisis of faith and hope. But he said Africa has also been afflicted by materialism – the “toxic spiritual garbage” exported by developed countries. “In this sense, colonialism – while finished in the political sphere – hasn’t really ended.”

He went on to say that Africa is also at risk of another “virus:” religious fundamentalism. Groups claiming to be from religious backgrounds are spreading across the continent.

“They are doing so in the name of God, but with a logic that is opposed to divine logic: teaching and working not with love and respect for freedom, but with intolerance and violence,” he said.

Many who read this would think the Pope was only referring to the other religion, but I can tell you that, for me, he was not. This applies to Christians as well, especially Nigeria Christians. I will leave it at that as I am no saint either.