Offensive Ice Skating
Filed under: Zportz
Russia's world champion ice skating team is on thin ice after a routine they performed this past Thursday at the European figure skating championships was considered offensive.
The routine was based on dances performed by indigenous Australians, the aboriginals. Some say that the couples routine lacked respect for the culture and it's people.
The couple shouldn't feel too bad about offending anyone, though. Now, they'll get all the press they can handle to apologize for it and will surely be on everyone's radar come the Winter Olympics.
Perhaps that was the plan!
Check out the routine int he video above.
Do U find it offensive?
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R.I.P.
EVERYTHING IS OFFENSIVE NOWADAYS, GET OVER IT PPL. LET IT BE LIKE J.HUD'S SONG ON THE TELETHON FRIDAY. LET IT BE, LET IT BE
What was offensive?
ice dance that was to watch. offensive, not in the least. someone has a blade up their arse.
WHY AFRICAIN PPL NEVER FEELS OFFENDED WHEN YOU MAKE FUN OF THEM OR SAYING IGNORANT THINGS TOWARDS THEM EVERY TIME? I GUESS IT'S BECAUSE THEY DONT CARE AND LIFE GOES ON EVEN YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. ASIAN PPL TRIED 2 SUCK MILEY WITH A RIDICULOUS LAWSUIT ABOUT PULLING EYES, NOW IT'S THIS. WOOOOWW
WTF wasw offensive about that? It was done well. Being offensive ws the laswt thing that came to my nmind. people, get over your political correctness….it's becoming too much.
The only offensive thing about this routine is that it says it is based on aboriginal dances or movements. There's very little aboriginal about it. Wonder what would have happened if they had skated in blackface to banjo music?
I have no idea what is supposed to be offensive in that
people are crazy for getting so offended at everything.
Seriously? How was that offensive? I thought it was great! I'm curious as to what those whom are offended think the performance lacked. Exactly what is preventing the performance from being a nod to the aboriginal culture or a tribute?
I don't find it offensive. But people who look too hard into stuff would, which is lame.
IS THAT OFFENSIVE?!?!?! Jeez!! People are too sensitive…
BTW @afgirl1106.. Let it be IS NOT Hudson's. I know she sang it yesterday but honey, EVERYBODY knows LET IS BE is a BEATLES' song…
Gloria Allred has probably already contacted the Aboriginals about a lawsuit.
I think that to comment on that, one would have to have a knowledge of aboriginal culture. And for that matter, Australian culture.
why would that be offensive? why not look at the positive side and think of it as the celebration of a beautiful indigenous tradition?
No clue what's offensive?
well the blacking up (which i think is what theyv done but it might have something to do with the bad quality of the video) is always offensive. its not really russias year is it? was watching the solo figure skating earlier and there was some terrible skating - at least those two can actually skate.
People should lighten up. It is like you can not do anything these days. There was nothing wrong with that. Lets move on.
bitchs need to lighten the fuck up nowadays! Everything is so damn offensive
You seriously can't see why its offensive? Saying 'get over it' is just redundant, you shouldn't have to just 'get over' something that is racially insensitive. Dance and music, ok what ever but he is wearing a body suit to make it look like he has dark skin and they have painted themselves with traditional markings.
Its just culturally insensitive and an extremely stupid move for something that is on the world stage.
The guy had on a dark brown body suit! They were trying to look like aborignes, and it was offensive. I think people would find it offensive if they had come out in black face. What they did is no different.
they are actually aborigines not aboriginals as aboriginal is an adjective (i.e aboriginal music by an aborigine!!) LOL. im aussie and although i am not an Aborigine i don't think it is that offensive but the past few years we have had to learn and take into account the different cultures especially aborigines due to their loss of land and white people taking over, especially when they were the first aussies and I think it was offensive to them (mainly the elders) coz we finally said sorry to them about all the shiz that went down hundreds of years ago and they are often offended when they are 'belittled'…not that they were belittled but to their culture it is a big thing so i think that is why they were offended not so much that they were dancing to aboriginal music. Also, the man is in a black suit…lol if you saw the things we have to take into account these days in Aus you might understand :S its a hard thing to explain etc etc.
soooo yeh 
thought id fill u in bout their culture etc haha
And yes, I agree with Erikakylie. I'm from Aus. If American's took offense to someone taking something from their culture and handling it inappropriately I wouldn't dream of saying 'just get over it' without knowing anything about it
p.s also usa got angry at us that people have black faces on thinking we were being rascist towwards the black americans when if you saw the whole clip…it wasn't doing htat at all..so this is no different when they have black suits on.
NOTHING OFFENSIVE HERE, PUT WHAT IS OFFENSIVE IF YOUR FUCKEN FACE PEREZ SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT PLZ. . . .
I didn't see anything remotely offensive in their performance, people need to re-f@#$-lax …. The routine was flawless and interesting, god forbid!!!
You are such a fool. Don't ask us if we find it offensive, only the Aboriginals can answer that. As usual your grammar is atrocious. It should be "its people", not "it's people".
I thought it was actually a pretty cool interpretation of aboriginal dance on ice.
I honestly don't understand what was offensive about the dance routine.
I have been more offended by some of your comments, Perez (and by ALL of your clothes).
P.S. John Mayer really likes you, girl! lol
i dont htink this is offensive at all, great performance! haha
….. I am a huge figure skating fan, this routine was (I think) really good… but; I am not sure - if I could see them skate it without the blackface/wig/bodysuit I think I would really enjoy this routine.. I'm just one white canadian woman that found it hard to watch, I know the skating was excellent.. but I couldn't see it cuz I was horrified by the 'presentation'
I'd like to see a black British couple cover their faces with light tan make up and dance with a red neck theme to the BillyRay Cirus' song Achy Breaky Heart. and then let the Brits tell y'all that your white trash ass should let them do what they want.. no big deal… as they skate off the ice disgusted about their appearence…
But that wasn't the case.. I think the routine was a sign of respect… though ignorant.
That wasn't offensive… it was artistic, beautiful, and skillful.
who the fuck cares???????????
that was just stupid!!!!!!!
australians in general are stupid so i guess they did the dance pretty good
Offensibly genius.
Re: LolaLola1 – I DIDNT SAY IT WAS HERS EITHER BC SHE SANG IT LAST NIGHT
Not like we Americans have room to judge, but what is with that Aussies and their total lack of sensitivity when it comes to this?
yes they are both doing the spread eagle at the same time. Where's Tonya Harding when you need her?!
wheres the offensive part?
im not being sarcastic i dont get it seriously
it seems like minorities are actively searching for things to be offended at all the time
Unfortunately aboriginals bitch about absolutely EVERYTHING!! We back in Oz are all rolling our eyes saying 'Here we go again!'
Clearly the judges are very conservative. Good on these skaters for doing something creative and original in an otherwise stale sport.
I think it was beautiful. I feel that because they are serious about ice skating this piece should not be received as offensive. Those with grievances should let them go.
World class performance! Suck it critics!
Its not disrespectful or offensive…….
Its the native Australians are Aborigines, not aboriginals as you state Perez. Your grammar and sentence formation is appalling, does no one ever check it before its published?
As for the skating I was struggling to see what was offensive about their dance until I saw that they appear to be blacked up for the performance. There was no need for that because it doesn't improve the skating in any way, its just distasteful.
Perhaps all these comments of people not knowing why it's offensive is the point…. who knows what the tribal symbols the performing are wearing???? anyone???? before people are so quick to put this in the "omg i'm so over political correctness" should do some research.
They were amazing.
Spectacular! I Don't See Anything Offensive in That Performance … Look's Like Alot of Hard Work, Great Choreography & Perfectly Executed Skating …
the people who found this offensive obviously haven't been to the US.
As an Indig (Aussie Aboriginal) person I can understand why this is offensive.
For starters (and the most basic rule) women dont dance to the didge. There are other instruments that women dance to. Didge music is played by them men for traditional mens ceremonies. This isn't a sexist thing as the muscles that are used to play the didge can affect a woman's chance of getting pregnant.
Secondly, these people obviously have no concept of indig dance meanings as everything is done for a purpose. Indig aussies don't just dance nonsense its all for a purpose.
Lastly, even if you dont think that those things are enough for people to be offended then how bout the basics of respect for another's culture. Using things from another persons culture without knowing or living with them is just ignorant and needs to be stopped in society or we will never move forward.
(btw deadly in Aborigine slang all over australia means good)
how the hell was that offesnvei
It is offensive to Australian aborigines because women do no dance to the digeredoo - it is not permitted in aboriginal culture because it is believed to interfere with pregnancy. So the offensiveness comes from the fact that the Russians didn't bother to find out what was and was not culturally sensitive….
How is it offensive? Its actually pretty cool.
I'm offended you don't know the difference between its and it's.
WHO CARES!!! BRAD AND ANGELINA HAVE SPLIT! WOWZA, Back to Aniston he goes.
It doesn't effin matter if your website readers are personally offended. We have no idea what Aborigine cultural elements were used in the performance (music, costume, dance) and how it was treated in the skate.
When you don't like yourself-everything is offensive
I don't see how paying tribute to a culture through an artistic routine as these skaters did could be deemed offensive. Even if it is, none of us have a god given right NOT to be offended. If it bothers you, suck it up. Life isn't always fair.
I dont understand how its offensive. It looked like some very talented skating to me.
they are performers. i didnt seem offensive to me
offensive? really? i think the fact that it draws attention to the existence of a culture that makes up less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the world's population is a boon to aboriginals. if people are offended…well…$H!t…people need to get a life.
oh wait are they white and painted themselves black?
thanx deadly girl u sumed it up well, as a white aussie i dont know all the traditions but my parents are great friend with adrian ross and his family and he taught me about aboriginal culture. there are alot of restrictions about who can or cant do things within there dances and there dances are stories passed through the generations etc…. even there body paint is significant
but what i find really annoying is now that u dont understand ur all like get over it, yet when we didnt understand and had the jackson jive u were all like assholes.
apparently only if america finds something offensive the rest of the world have to comply.
im not always on the side of aboriginals as were still trying to find our balance in this country but something that is allllll aboriginal is there music and dancing and maybe if some elders had been consulted then things would have worked out.
Re: on_the_perez_hate_bandwagon –
LMFAOOOOO!!!!!!
That would be hilarious!
Ignorance is not something that should lead to taking offense. They really can't go together.
I didn't find it offensive… out of sync, choppy and stilted, yes… but not offensive? Not a great routine at all…
I dont think the dance itself was offensive, I think the costumes might have been.
not even slightly offensive - soooo sick of the PC police… get a life
I thought it was cool.
You know - more often than not these days minorities and special interest groups look for reasons to be offended. People love, love, love stirring up racial controversy. It is like the new sport for everybody. Running around accusing everyone else of being racist. Even if it is about nothing or there was nothing intentional.
Are people supposed to be afraid to say anything or express themselves freely? I think a lot of times it just boils down to people wanting to rant at white people.
The only thing I am offended by is the fact that this is the best routine the Russian champions could come up with. BORING!!!
what i find offensive is americans who practically have NO idea about aborigine culture saying "its not offensive, get over it" etc. you would have no idea if its offensive or not so keep your opinions to yourself. if anything was done remotely offensive to your culture, oh it would be the end of the world but if its anyone else "get over it" what a joke
Why wud anybody go through that much practice and hard work to offend poeple? I thought it was beautiful eventhough i know nothing about figure skating! And if i wanted to 'offend' id find an easier way to do it! dumbasses
Those outfits are offensive!!! The dance was….figuring skating, wtf do you expect they're skating.
I'm an Australian and i didn't find this offensive. I viewed it as a tribute to the Aboriginal culture that used fluid skillful and delicate movement to express it…..just quietly.
Re: Lopez Hyatt – I really like what you said Lopez. We cannot know if it is offensive. It is hard and sometimes uncomfortable to see the world through others' eyes, but ultimately we must be gracious and understanding. Say we are sorry and come together in a better way. I celebrate the Aborigines, and the skill of the skaters. Now let's fix this and move forward!
How was that offensive? It was normal looking ice dancing to me. These offended should be flattered they did this (if they trying to be aboriginal in the first place).
I can't even be bothered, because today EVERYTHING is offensive. EVERYTHING will bother some segment of the population and whip a sector of peeps into a frenzy not worth commenting about.
I didn't see anything that could be offensive..
Okay, first of all. The point of all the skaters routines was to honor another culture. This is what they either got or picked themselves. They weren't making fun of anyone, please read facts people…
They're doing it all wrong!! To do an ice-skating routine to resemble Aboriginal people you need a can of petrol for one of them to sniff, a bottle of alcohol for one of them to drink and throw at white people and they should be waiting outside of Centrelink for their free money.
*sigh* amateurs…
Re: Erikakylie – Ummm, good point. As a North American, I don't see anything offensive but, then again, it's all a question of perspective. This strangely reminds me of the Mohammed cartoon scandal.
Offensive? No. weird? yes
i think it depends on the tribe. for normal people like us.. no, but for the tribe, maybe. i respect that though.
So freakin tired of the PC movement. Nothing offensive here, except someone trying to rile people up to get a lawsuit going. Hope they kick a$$ at the Olympics.
I don't see how that was offensive. Boring as hell but not offensive.
I'm confused by what part is offensive. The music was boring and kind of creepy, but it was pretty much a really kick ass regular looking ice skating routine? People are so ridiculous, everything is offensive to someone somewhere and ya gotta get over it!
the routine is fucking amazing. the choreography and music are incredible. the costumes are just ridiculous. they needed to tone down the costumes. even with that, it's not offensive.
Typical white people trying to get their moves from the black man!
.
But seriously, it was offensive. During the whole routine he's doing this cave man, drag her around act, especially at 1:50 where he's mimicking pulling her by the hair just before they do the wild thing! Not even pretty.
Re: Catmandu – Your an asshole. Get a clue…let me guess… you are a white, hetero male am I right?
Re: Eezeebreezee – 6 that's funny.
Wow, so many ignorant people…lol Minorities need to get over it??? Really???!!! That sound racist. This routine was presented the world….They should be aware of the culture and if it's a tribute, maybe they need to learn a bit more, out of respect. I don't think it's racist, just embarrassing and slightly ignorant… They should have researched their routine before they presentation something they know nothing about to the world… They could have googled…lol
Well, as an Australian (I am not of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander decent) and I DO find this somewhat offensive. I was born here, and have lived here my whole life. I have spent twenty years living harmoniously with Aboriginal people and learning about their traditions is a part of our formal education and indeed our life, and it is with this understanding behind me that I make my judgement.
I highly doubt that it was undertaken with any malice, but it shows a lack of respect for, and understanding of Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal people. They were probably trying to do a nice thing, and I can appreciate that, and the obvious talent of the skaters, but the routine, particularly the costumes, is a little off.
Americans were outraged at the blackface routine on Hey! Hey!, (which I viewed as a storm in a teacup, mind you - you really have no clue how the Australian sense of humour works) and this is hardly any different, prima facie, so please, stop and think for a minute and stop being so hypocritcal before you start telling everyone to "get over it". In fact, shrugging this off as nothing of note is just as offensive and lacks just as much understanding as the routine itself.
It's just ice skating….
I don't see how they disrespected this culture. So silly.
They did the Aborigenies PROPER!!!!!
If someone is offended they should state their claim!
Re: deadlygirl – Thanks for enlightening me.
How is it offensive to Aborigines? I wouldn't think they would have a t.v.
Re: Lady Leggings – so its offensive that they were painted in traditional markings? does this mean its offensive when people get traditional japanese tattoos, mainly sleeves, when they arent japanese and know little about the culture and the meaning behind it? just a thought.
Re: afgirl1106 – Oooh yess, the "Africains"! Excuse me but, what the fuck are you talking about? P.S. all caps does not make your point (whatever it was) more valid.
I can see how this could be offensive. I'm not personally offended, but I'm also not an Aborigine soooo…
Not my favorite routine, but not something I would consider offensive. It's a little off, probably because of the dark suit (which is in bad taste). But still not worth the fuss.