I have to say I didn't see it that way (mostly thanks to the "stands up"). But then what's racist in the UK and the US can often be different1. And, of course, I can miss the bleedin' obviousby about a radian, with ease.
It definitely IS a nod towards the original sketch, though (which has "Miss" instead)
1There's an essay in there somewhere, but I don't think I'm the person to go digging for it
The "boy" bit at the beginning, yes. Also, the bad grammar (very much NOT typical of CP) and several other characteristics of the dialogue were very reminiscent of the "yes, massah!" portrayals of darker-complected folk in the 'Mer'can movies and literature of the early 20th century. (But which, quite possibly, may not have ever made it into British culture.)
As the writer of the sketch, any disrespect I have for Colin Powell has nothing to do with his race. "Boy," as noted above, is a nod to the line "Excuse me... Miss!" I've never heard anyone say that was sexist. "Colin Powell"'s speech patterns are based upon those of the character played by Michael Palin ("...played by Michael Palin") in the original Dead Parrot Sketch and are not intended in any way to represent any American dialect.
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(Except for the retro-racist take on CP, that is.)
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I have to say I didn't see it that way (mostly thanks to the "stands up"). But then what's racist in the UK and the US can often be different1. And, of course, I can miss the bleedin' obviousby about a radian, with ease.
It definitely IS a nod towards the original sketch, though (which has "Miss" instead)
1There's an essay in there somewhere, but I don't think I'm the person to go digging for it
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"What's seen as racist in the UK can often differ from what's seen as racist in the US"
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Also, the bad grammar (very much NOT typical of CP) and several other characteristics of the dialogue were very reminiscent of the "yes, massah!" portrayals of darker-complected folk in the 'Mer'can movies and literature of the early 20th century. (But which, quite possibly, may not have ever made it into British culture.)
"an essay"
I wish to register a complaint...
(Anonymous) 2003-08-11 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)Kip W
Re: I wish to register a complaint...