An American rock band has pulled out of an appearance on Sunrise, citing recent controversies enveloping the show as reason for their boycott.
Posting on Instagram, the band Portugal. The Man – best known for their recent song Feel It Still – said while they don’t know the full-extent of our country’s “history”, they “know there are problems that, like ours, are yet to be resolved”.
“We were scheduled to appear on Sunrise tomorrow morning but we have decided, as a band, that we do not want to be part of that show at this time. We come from rural Alaska and hold very close to our hearts the indigenous people of our home.
While we are by no means experts in your countries (sic) history we know there are problems that, like ours, are yet to be resolved and only being amplified by the recent statements on Sunrise. Uncle Allen Madden will be welcoming us all to our show in Sydney tonight. Love and Respect,” the statement read.
In March, Sunrise aired a widely slammed segment about Aboriginal adoption where one panellist suggested a second stolen generation.
The all-white panel, consisting of the show’s co-host Samantha Armytage and commentators Prue MacSween and Ben Davis, was criticised for spreading ‘misinformed’ and ‘racist’ views.
“It’s just crazy to just even contemplate that people are arguing against this,” MacSween said at the time. “Don’t worry about the people that would cry and hand wring and say this would be another stolen generation. Just like the first stolen generation where a lot of people were taken because it was for their wellbeing … we need to do it again, perhaps.”
While the show did not apologise for airing the segment, weeks after the backlash erupted, it aired a follow-up discussion with indigenous experts.
The response to a paparazzi shot of Sam Armytage’s underwear was swift, and fierce. Should the paparazzi be allowed to take photos of whoever and whatever they want? The Mamamia Out Loud team discuss.
Top Comments
Pure Mcsweens a bit off
Good riddance, I'd say. Samantha Armytage was showing concern for a 2 year old baby being raped and other toddlers and children being abused and somehow she is a pariah and a racist.
If you ever wondered about this crazy 21st century, wonder no more.
Why am I not surprised you watch Sunrise...
She misrepresented certain facts as these segments often do. Also when discussing groups in society its a good idea to have someone from that community on aswell. Can you imagine the outrage if there were a group of men on, discussing the how painful child birth is and the best method or anything else that deals with women. The problen with these segments is that they have people whose views are extreme and they usually have no expertise in the area thru are commenting on.