Topic: Paul Henry - Racist Bigot or Just a Guy Saying What Lots of People Want to?

TVNZ's Breakfast show's co-host Paul Henry is never shy to say what is on his mind. It's probably why he recently won the People's Choice award at the 2010 Qantas Media Awards.



This week, Paul was interviewing John Key, Prime Minister of NZ, about the upcoming choice that would have to be made - appointing a new Governor General for New Zealand when Anand Satyanand steps down in a year. At one point he asked whether the next Governor General chosen would 'look like a New Zealander', and whether Mr Satyanand was a New Zealander:



Paul later apologised publicly for any offense or hurt he had caused Mr Satyanand and his family. He was then Suspended without pay for two weeks.

Lots of people are up in arms about this. What are your thoughts?

*update* Since this one blew up, the earlier comments Paul made about Ms Dikshit, the Indian Commonwealth Games official also hit the headlines:

Clearly making a statement about a person's looks or last name in relation too their race, is more derogatory then Hone Harawira's reply too a member of the publics email, about him missing a meeting with the EU rep's too go too Paris on the Tax-Payer.
He replied "Gee Buddy, do you believe that white man bullshit too do you?
White motherfuckers have been raping our lands and ripping us off for centuries and all of a sudden you want me to play along with their puritanical bullshit."
Obviously the facts slipped his mind that Europeans put the clothes on his back and allowed him the ability to travel too places such as 'Paris'.

His comments were quickly re-worded too sound like he was referring too the history books, about how the "White man" invaded New Zealand, and stole their land.
I suppose the fact that the Maori people did the same too the Morioris' in the Chatham Islands in 1835, but did not show the same respect as we did and too some speculation cannibalised them on occasion.

Nice work on the PC stuff guys, you obviously know enough of racism too stay clear of comments made by some Ethnicities and jump on that of others.

Bigot or say what he thinks.. i have never been a real fan of the man reason i think he's tactless and plays the devils advocates just to keep interest going with his somewhat tawdy thoughts on lofe

Noddenz

Jizzele, attitudes like that just keep the racists and the rednecks prominant if more people thought about the words of a song by 'Blue Mink' called "Melting Pot" maybe all of the world would be a more friendly and tolerant place

Noddenz

Yes keeping racism alive is no doubt what my attitude is doing.
No! I see people making a big deal out of some comments, and not so much of others. Generally this happens with people of a different ethnicity, ( especially in NZ ) is that not racism there?.
Just because he is a white man, he must take care with wording his opinions. Clearly that off a Maori or Polynesian decent need not too worry. I'm not trying to be racist in any way, it's the people making such a big scene who are sparking the flint in preparation for the fire.
If everyone was treated as equals, we wouldn't be so PC and things such as what Paul Henry stated, would be shrugged off as just a poor choice of words, and not that off a racist bigot.

If saying what you think keeps racism alive then so be it. You are right in what you are saying. People have become too precious.

To be fair, it is quite hilarious. I never get through the dikshit one without laughing.

He's just saying what a lot of people are thinking and want to say, but can't. So what if a few people take offense? People get offended about everything all the time. What he said was hardly worth getting sacked over.