I wholeheartedly agree that racism is ugly, I have seen its effects and do not condone it. I work, live and play in a multicultural society and my friends are drawn from many of those cultures. As for backhanded slaps at Yanks, I work for an American company (the second I've worked for). Yes the Jerry Springer show is fairly popular although it is not on mainstream terrestrial tv, and is I hope, not truly representative of America and the American people. At least it does not equate to the Americans I know and have met, but rather to an underclass not dissimilar to large sections of British society and seems to provide Mr Springer and his audience with a source of great merriment. I always try to think what effects my words have on others and never intentionally seek to hurt or abuse. If you think I have done so here then I apologise.

Just one other thing, the original joke was told to me by a West Indian (Afro Carribean) from Jamaica. My version was considerably watered down from the original.