The 'racist' balloon

[nac386]

Omgerd. So racist.

Well, yeah. It's a racial caricature.

 

[glenwo2]

reality exceeds any fictional dreaming -


The organisers of Canberra's Enlighten Festival have banned a hot air balloon from this year's Balloon Spectacular, calling it racist and offensive.

The decision was made to ban the Black Magic balloon, also known as "Golly", after an Events ACT staff member raised concerns about its name, the department's director, Jo Verden, said.

The Black Magic hot air balloon, also known as "Golly", is seen flying over Parliament House during the 2011 Canberra Balloon Spectacular.CREDIT:ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN

The owner and pilot of the hot air balloon, Kay Turnbull, said on Wednesday evening that her family and friends only ever refer to it by its official registered name, Black Magic. The term Golly more refers to its design.

"Progressing reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Canberra community is a key priority for the ACT government," Ms Verden said.



"The use of words and/or visual depictions that may be considered racist and offensive by many in our community ... is not supported."

Ms Turnbull has been a participant in the event for 20 years. She has accepted ACT Events' offer to fly the balloon with a new facade this year, but is disappointed by the decision, she says.

Ms Turnbull is lobbying the ACT government to cover some of the cost of the new facade, or "envelope", which she has been asked to hire using her own money. It will be coloured blue, red and yellow, and will have no real distinguishing features, she said.

Pilot Steve Griffin (front left), owner Kay Turnbull (front right), Katrina Turnbull (back left) and John Turnbull (back right) fly Golly the hot air balloon.CREDIT:STEVE GRIFFIN

"My philosophy is that I'm incredibly disappointed rather than anything else. In 20 years of flying the design of the balloon all over Australia, we haven't had one single complaint," Ms Turnbull said.


"We've caused so much fun for people and we have a huge following with children and, I must say, some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people too.

"It is not our intention ever to offend anybody. The fact that it has a smiling face – it's not directed at Aboriginals or anyone that might be a different colour."

The name of the hot air balloon, Golly, refers to the black fictional character golliwog that appeared in children's books in the 19th century and in the 1970s had great popularity when reproduced as a rag doll.

In 2019 they are often considered a symbol of Australia's racist past. The word magic in Black Magic appears in the names of Ms Turnbull's other hot air balloons, she said, and the name Golly is insignificant.

Hot air balloons, including Golly, flying past the National Museum at the 2018 Balloon Spectacular.
"The name of the balloon is just the name. Most balloon pilots are hard pressed to name their hot air balloons ... I hope that people could perhaps think about the smiling face instead," Ms Turnbull said.

She insists her family will continue to fly the balloon over Canberra despite the ban, as it is one of their favourite places to travel. She was unsure about participating in the Balloon Spectacular next year as she did not expect the ruling to change.

"It is [Events ACT's] opinion that the public feeling is changing. They are a government organisation and they need to be aware of changing perceptions towards our Indigenous people," Ms Turnbull said.

Both the ACT government's Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body were consulted in making the decision, Ms Verden said.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/na...ra-s-balloon-spectacular-20190227-p510ju.html

So apparently, the Color "Black" is racist.

Using that flawed logic they're displaying, shouldn't that mean that all African Americans are racist, too, just 'cause of their own skin color?

 

[The ScorpioN]

Wouldn't have been an issue if they hadn't nicknamed it Golly, because there's nothing inherently offensive about the balloon at all.

What's more, look at the crew of the balloon.

Notice anything?

 

[BudKing8806]

Well, yeah. It's a racial caricature.

It takes a special type of person to be outraged by a balloon with a smiley face lol.

 

[nac386]

It takes a special type of person to be outraged by a balloon with a smiley face lol.

I'm not outraged, I feel great. But I do make a habit of acknowledging the obvious, and not being intentionally oblivious. I'm pretty sure that 19th century caricature of black people was not meant to be flattering.

 

[glenwo2]

What's more, look at the crew of the balloon.

Notice anything?

They're old farts?

 

[n...not crazy]

The only correct thing to do... is to never acknowledge anyone or thing of another race or gender. Do that and you'll be fine.

 

[nac386]

@LogicalInsanity

Is this racist?:

 

[Captain Davis]

What’s wrong with the word golly? It makes me think of Andy Griffith.

RIP Rip

 

[tonni]

The only correct thing to do... is to never acknowledge anyone or thing of another race or gender. Do that and you'll be fine.

 

[Deleted member 560121]

I think the balloon looks fine

Of course, an individual with a thinly disguised Hitler avatar wouldn't think so.

 

[Captain Davis]

What's more, look at the crew of the balloon.

Notice anything?

Lol

 

[BudKing8806]

I'm not outraged, I feel great. But I do make a habit of acknowledging the obvious, and not being intentionally oblivious. I'm pretty sure that 19th century caricature of black people was not meant to be flattering.

I did not mean you personally, bud. I guess I should've been more clear. The world has gone full retard with all this shit.

 

[Seano]

The article isn't clear. It just says it's the balloon's nickname since it's a Golliwog. I don't think that really matters either way, they can call it whatever they want. It's not like by naming it "John" it's no longer a Golliwog. Here's another one from the 1970s apparently:

Of course it matters if its based on a character from a racist book or if it just happens to bear a resemblance.

 

[nac386]

I did not mean you personally, bud. I guess I should've been more clear. The world has gone full retard with all this shit.

I agree that there's plenty of absurd outrage. But there's also stuff that seems perfectly reasonable to me. For example, if you manage a hot air ballon festival and you decide you don't want anyone flying a giant racial caricature from the late 1800s. To me, that is not going overboard at all.

 

[Social Distance Warrior]

@LogicalInsanity

Is this racist?:

no, this is a perfect representation of our people.

we all talk like this.

I just wished this film had a joke about small penises. because that would be accurate too

 

[BudKing8806]

I agree that there's plenty of absurd outrage. But there's also stuff that seems perfectly reasonable to me. For example, if you manage a hot air ballon festival and you decide you don't want anyone flying a giant racial caricature from the late 1800s. To me, that is not going overboard at all.

I understand your point. And you are generally consistent with your views. I appreciate that we can discuss things like adults. So, I wonder how many people seeing this balloon know the history of it. I would assume not too many. In my opinion, anyone outraged at stuff like this have way too much time on their hands.

 

[nac386]

Of course it matters if its based on a character from a racist book or if it just happens to bear a resemblance.

That's not really debatable. It's an exact Golliwag in the country where Golliwag was famous. That's why it's nicknamed "Golli." Nobody is pretending it's not a Golliwag.

 

[jamel]

Looks like a bootleg Mammy salt shaker that you find in old white lady's curio cabinets and window sills.

Those fuckers knew what they were doing.

 

[franklinstower]

Doesn't matter if its intentional or not.

It has to go. You cant have that face on a balloon and call it Golli.