Why give a racial joke?

I am a big fan of Ms Peyroux's I read this forum from time to time. It is disappointing to be faced with what is interpreted as a racial comment and it is unfortunate that this offended you. I cannot say for certain, but, given Ms Peyroux's background, her own experiences living and working as a street muscian I am sure she has an understanding, more than most, of being different and of many types of biases and discrimination that are faced in this world. From her interviews, her liner notes, the text she has added to her playlist on Itunes I have only gotten the impression that she is an open minded, intelligent and compassionate young woman. This was a poor judgement call on her part. However I am sure that neither offence nor racist slurs were the intent. If Ms.Peyroux had chosen to adopt a different accent a French, a Texan or a British accent. Would we conclude so readily that it was a racist joke I wonder. Perhaps not. Either way she should certainly take more care. I hope she gets to read this, understand the pitfalls of such jokes, and avoid careless commentary in the future. She is too great a performer to risk compromising her performances.