I couldn't believe the backlash against sports commentator Murray Deaker last week and had to turn the radio and TV off because of the incessant complaints about my old mate using the N word. People just went on and on like it was the end of the world or something. It's freedom of bloody expression, something a lot of people just don't understand.You might have noticed a large dollop of sarcasm in the above paragraph... The Jackal absolutely hates racism in all its forms and everyone who promotes it. We're of the strong belief that the often judgmental Murray Deaker should resign from being a broadcaster in an honourable step to show that such behaviour is not acceptable, especially when it is widely broadcast.
Deaker's offensive statement will just be lost in a long line of similar outbursts by ignorant presenters and politicians. It is unfortunate that the acceptance of such behaviour stems from the very repression it creates. But as much as Deaker's use of the word nigger* was reprehensible, the response that followed was even more repugnant! Deaker's boss Tony O'Brien tried to defend the racism when he said:
"I'm not defending Deaker but that's a phrase that's widely used. I'm very happy with the apology he made, I'm sure that will put an end to the matter."
Fellow broadcaster Willie Lose also tried to defend his colleague:
"He says those words … he is only joking. But I wouldn't have thought he would say them on a programme on TV. I would say Murray is not a racist. He is not like that. He enjoys a joke and has a lot of Polynesian friends."
They were not the only ones to try and make light of Deaker's racism. New Zealand Rugby League ambassador Sir Peter Leitch had this to say:
"Mate, we are going politically correct crazy. That used to be a very common saying and he just would not have meant anything by it. And the people watching obviously know that, since Sky did not get one complaint."
Their simpering justifications of Deaker's racism doesn't cut the mustard. The way the statement was made shows clearly Deaker's belief system and racist tendencies. Unfortunately it was widely accepted by a community that already feeds off the disharmony caused by underlying racism.
The acceptance of Deaker's comment was also apparent on mainstream television programs like The Nation. Predictably the ratings for the right wing program have fallen even further showing just how out of touch with the public much of New Zealand's media has become.
The mainstream media incredulously downplays their belief in National's hard-line policies that are obviously racially inspired, while continuing a war on welfare that disproportionately affects people of a different ethnicity to them.
National with their prehistoric ideas are undertaking an age old tactic of divide and conquer; believing that the majority of New Zealander's will be swayed into accepting such repressive ideals because of a clever propaganda campaign.
*The word Nigger originated as slang out of the word Negro, and is most notable for its usage in a pejorative context to refer to black people (generally people of Sub-Saharan African descent).It's an ethnic slur that has vast implications and negative connotations. Nigger is a word that has caused untold misery throughout the world for many centuries.
