Feher - the fact I know about the ALP leader comments is the one saving grace for the cartoonist, because I think I CAN see what he was trying to do, and I've said it earlier in the thread. But I think he erred, bad judgement call, by making it indistinguishable from a generig negative stereotype about blacks cartoon.
If I did not know about the ALP guys comments then I would DEFINATELY immediatly think it was far more raacist, not the other way.
You are right, in 20 years time if racism in general was not widespread, then I think the cartoon could represent real social comment, if there was an issue to comment about. IMO a cartoonist has to tread a fine line when dealing with indigenous issues to make sure he/she gets their point across, without leaving it so ambiguous that it could be seen as just a racist jibe. There is always a line, and I think it has been crossed here.
As for the white issue - I think a society can also go much further in pointing out hometruths that may be a bit unpalletable about ITSELF, as opposed to another culture. I know that Indig aussies ARE aussies so that is another fine line I guess.
I for one have never read any mainstream social comment about white australian society that has been what I would call racist.
You also need to see the difference between a racist person, and a racist person backed up by a racist society and leaders. it is a fine line and Howard and Co are just on the right side of it I think, but there are times you overstep the mark.
Heck I love innapropriate jokes, I tell em all the time, and sometimes a joke I tell to bloke A is a joke I should not have tole to lady B, and I know it, and I have to backpedal. Some racist jokes are funny, you just have to choose your audience.
Context - that is the key.