Aboriginal .. what does it mean?

[ADG]

Seems that the last episode of the popular American series "Judging Amy" aired in Australia on Tuesday has resulted in a negative backlash from the Australian people.

During a dialogue about bachelor parties the lead character made the following comment:

"When men get together to celebrate being men, something happens. They become aboriginal. They start to leak brain cells,"

Which of course, is highly offensive to the aboriginal population of Australia, prompting Channel 9 to issue an unreserved apology.

Which really prompts the question. What does aboriginal mean to Americans? Is that a term that would normally be used in that situation?






ADG

[Triton1831]

Re: Aboriginal .. what does it mean?

I'm guessing the screenwriter was thinking either "primitive" or "Neanderthal", but wanted to show off his vocabulary and ended up showing his ignorance. It was a very insulting comment, and a poor choice of words that demonstrates the general arrogance of mainstream Hollywood.

I can't speak for other Americans, but I think of Australia's Aboriginals as a fascinating people, similar in many respects to Native North Americans (or "Indians"). My perception may be wrong, however, and I will gladly accept correction.

Seems that the last episode of the popular American series "Judging Amy" aired in Australia on Tuesday has resulted in a negative backlash from the Australian people.

During a dialogue about bachelor parties the lead character made the following comment:

"When men get together to celebrate being men, something happens. They become aboriginal. They start to leak brain cells,"

Which of course, is highly offensive to the aboriginal population of Australia, prompting Channel 9 to issue an unreserved apology.

Which really prompts the question. What does aboriginal mean to Americans? Is that a term that would normally be used in that situation?






ADG

________
Colorado Medical Marijuana

[CheckSix]

Re: Aboriginal .. what does it mean?

I'm guessing the screenwriter was thinking either "primitive" or "Neanderthal", but wanted to show off his vocabulary and ended up showing his ignorance. It was a very insulting comment, and a poor choice of words that demonstrates the general arrogance of mainstream Hollywood.

I can't speak for other Americans, but I think of Australia's Aboriginals as a fascinating people, similar in many respects to Native North Americans (or "Indians"). My perception may be wrong, however, and I will gladly accept correction.

Seems that the last episode of the popular American series "Judging Amy" aired in Australia on Tuesday has resulted in a negative backlash from the Australian people.

During a dialogue about bachelor parties the lead character made the following comment:

"When men get together to celebrate being men, something happens. They become aboriginal. They start to leak brain cells,"

Which of course, is highly offensive to the aboriginal population of Australia, prompting Channel 9 to issue an unreserved apology.

Which really prompts the question. What does aboriginal mean to Americans? Is that a term that would normally be used in that situation?






ADG

Hollywood ( )can sometimes just be a pain. I agree completely with Triton.

[JeffinDEN]

My guess would be the Aussie version of a "Redneck"...

[uy707]

For me Aboriginal means
Native itself conveying the notion of the
First ones who have been there on a permanent basis
I am not surprised either on this screenwriter, since two thirds of Hollywood movies and TV soap operas are plain cr*p.
Final word for Woody Allen who termed Hollywood as just being able to filmmake its own trash !!!
Here I feel to have the same problem with the country's newzies...
Regards
Alain

[Bluesky]

well...It doesnt mean the australian aborigines. It means that one of a people living in a country or place from earliest known times. Red indians are also the aborigines in North America as well.

When I went to the New York museum, i looked at the Red Indians' artefacts/art/pottery and read the signs/labels. It also mentioned "The aborigines.....".

[C-GEPA]

My family name is McDonald, does that mean I'm a Scottish aboriginal?