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Is Racism the New Black? review – a light approach to Australia’s dark side Is Racism the New Black? review – a light approach to Australia’s dark side
(about 1 hour later)
Racism and comedy have never been easy bedfellows. When they’re good together, they’re very good, but when they’re bad, they’re awkward. It’s clear that the audience is all too aware of this complicated relationship as they shuffle into Storey Hall for Melbourne’s exclusive comedy event, Is Racism the New Black?Racism and comedy have never been easy bedfellows. When they’re good together, they’re very good, but when they’re bad, they’re awkward. It’s clear that the audience is all too aware of this complicated relationship as they shuffle into Storey Hall for Melbourne’s exclusive comedy event, Is Racism the New Black?
“Australia is very diverse,” croons filmmaker and activist Richard Frankland, an Indigenous Australian of Gunditjmara origin. He smiles, waits a beat, then lets rip: “But I’m the only Greek-looking Aboriginal that’s ever worked as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant owned by a white man who happened to be gay!”“Australia is very diverse,” croons filmmaker and activist Richard Frankland, an Indigenous Australian of Gunditjmara origin. He smiles, waits a beat, then lets rip: “But I’m the only Greek-looking Aboriginal that’s ever worked as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant owned by a white man who happened to be gay!”
The relief is palpable when it becomes clear this is going to be one of racism and comedy’s better nights out. Joining the badinage at the event hosted by Indigenous health researchers, the Lowitja Institute, are comedians-slash–broadcasters Meshel Laurie (hosting duties), Libbi Gorr (Jewish irreverence) and Charlie Pickering (self-confessed white man “with no angle”).The relief is palpable when it becomes clear this is going to be one of racism and comedy’s better nights out. Joining the badinage at the event hosted by Indigenous health researchers, the Lowitja Institute, are comedians-slash–broadcasters Meshel Laurie (hosting duties), Libbi Gorr (Jewish irreverence) and Charlie Pickering (self-confessed white man “with no angle”).
They’re an odd bunch to throw together, underdogs-done-good, but their kaleidoscopic mix of razor-sharp intellect, anecdotal farce and passion for equality hold up a bold conversation about the First Peoples of Australia and the subsequent immigrants and refugees who’ve joined them since the multicultural period of the 1970s.They’re an odd bunch to throw together, underdogs-done-good, but their kaleidoscopic mix of razor-sharp intellect, anecdotal farce and passion for equality hold up a bold conversation about the First Peoples of Australia and the subsequent immigrants and refugees who’ve joined them since the multicultural period of the 1970s.
There’s two key messages, the first of which is: look, we’re all Australians down here, so let’s get together and use the power of comedy to appropriate our respective heritage and rip down the stereotypes and suspicions that separate them.There’s two key messages, the first of which is: look, we’re all Australians down here, so let’s get together and use the power of comedy to appropriate our respective heritage and rip down the stereotypes and suspicions that separate them.
That part is delightful, and the bursts of passionate applause give the warm feeling that comes from knowing you’re among people who want to make the world a better place.That part is delightful, and the bursts of passionate applause give the warm feeling that comes from knowing you’re among people who want to make the world a better place.
The second message, however, isn’t so easy to get down with. As the only Aboriginal on the panel, Richard Frankland repeatedly champions his people’s sense of humour as the glue that binds them through low mortality rates, dehumanisation, crippling poverty and a struggle to be visible on their own stage. The second message, however, isn’t so easy to get down with. As the only Aboriginal on the panel, Richard Frankland repeatedly champions his people’s sense of humour as the glue that binds them through high mortality rates, dehumanisation, crippling poverty and a struggle to be visible on their own stage.
His tales showcasing dazzling displays of ignorance play on the ears like syncopated jazz notes: one second they’re giddy and anecdotal, the very next they’re deep and low and everyone, Frankland included, slows down and realises it isn’t all that funny.His tales showcasing dazzling displays of ignorance play on the ears like syncopated jazz notes: one second they’re giddy and anecdotal, the very next they’re deep and low and everyone, Frankland included, slows down and realises it isn’t all that funny.
These moments of collective reflection are when we’re all left wondering whether comedy punches above its weight when it takes on the brutish might of racism.These moments of collective reflection are when we’re all left wondering whether comedy punches above its weight when it takes on the brutish might of racism.
Personally, I think it really depends on who is telling the jokes. The most effective and potent humour almost always comes from an insider appropriating his or her own culture. After all, no one knows your motherland quite like you do, and no one else can criticise her, either. God help them if they do.Personally, I think it really depends on who is telling the jokes. The most effective and potent humour almost always comes from an insider appropriating his or her own culture. After all, no one knows your motherland quite like you do, and no one else can criticise her, either. God help them if they do.
So if Richard Frankland says that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities laugh in the face of adversity, it makes sense to believe him and follow his lead as and when invited.So if Richard Frankland says that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities laugh in the face of adversity, it makes sense to believe him and follow his lead as and when invited.
It’s just a shame he couldn’t be joined by prolific Indigenous entertainers like Sean Choolburra to add an extra layer and a second opinion to the diagnosis. While the majority white panel correctly showed racism is everyone’s problem, it also highlighted a sad fact: Aboriginals are under-represented, even in a show establishing their own cultural discourse.It’s just a shame he couldn’t be joined by prolific Indigenous entertainers like Sean Choolburra to add an extra layer and a second opinion to the diagnosis. While the majority white panel correctly showed racism is everyone’s problem, it also highlighted a sad fact: Aboriginals are under-represented, even in a show establishing their own cultural discourse.
Is Racism the New Black? does wonders with a difficult brief: it successfully throws down the gauntlet and calls out for everyone to carry the burden of Australia’s past, and engage in an open, creative dialogue about its future.Is Racism the New Black? does wonders with a difficult brief: it successfully throws down the gauntlet and calls out for everyone to carry the burden of Australia’s past, and engage in an open, creative dialogue about its future.
Comedy does a good job of getting things started, but the issue, much like the show itself, will have to get serious eventually.Comedy does a good job of getting things started, but the issue, much like the show itself, will have to get serious eventually.