Mega Thread The Adam Goodes Megathread - Now with Added Poll!

[ashep]

Problem is he used a kids to do it and he knew she was a kid when he pointed her out. There is a reason why in this country kids are not tried as adults in courts of law, except for when very exceptional serious crimes occur.

The same standards should have been applied here.

I am not saying she did nothing wrong, she did, but the consequences for her were out of line given her age.

Had he had a quiet word to security and requested to speak to her and her family after the game, I would have no issue. he could have even had a media conference and talked about being racially vilified by a 13 year old and all that goes with that to make his point, but she would have been faceless to the media.

The outcome for him would have been he same.

I find it alarming that those that think Adam Goodes has the right to do this because he has been the subject of racism think it is ok for this young girl to have been treated this way. Two wrongs do not make a right.

I've had just about enough of this bullshit about how he "bullied" that girl.

Imagine growing up indigenous in this country. Constantly having people point and whisper about you if not outright abuse you to your face. All day every day you feel like you don't quite fit in.

Despite all this you work your way to the very apex of your sport, winning premierships and every accolade the game has to offer. You assume that this would earn you some measure of respect - and from most people, it does - but the whispers continue. You're big enough to deal with it when it happens to you but you see children who continue to be vilified and denied a fair go so you put your energy into helping them whilst you continue to go about your day job.

So one night you're out on the field doing what you do best and despite all of your best efforts, despite all of the respect you feel you've earned, somebody decides to yell out that you're a heckin'g ape.

Can you tell me with a straight face that your first instinct isn't to whirl around and point your finger? Can you imagine being in Goodes's shoes that night?

Can you then imagine having the grace to make a public call for support for that girl and absolve her of blame for saying what she did? And despite all that, pricks like Andrew Bolt will point at that flashpoint, and demand that YOU apologise for the way you reacted and use it to justify spewing hatred and vitriol at you until you do.

It's an absolute disgrace.

 

[HoopsAhoy]

which cycle are we on...anybody..

Oh let me have a wild guess, "Rinse and Repeat"? Am I warm?

 

[King Notorious]

I want to enjoy my football the way I used to. Cheer my team, boo the opposition. But since that is F***ing illegal now what is the point of having a contest when you can't put off the opposition? I am not a racist but I boo players because that's the spirit of the game.

But what has tipped me over the edge with this whole 'Storm in a Teacup' drama, is that now apparently everyone is going to wear aboriginal flag colored armbands to support the cause? What the hell? Did someone pass on? All this Because people are booing the opposition team's star player?

 

[incog43]

I've had just about enough of this bullshit about how he "bullied" that girl.

Imagine growing up indigenous in this country. Constantly having people point and whisper about you if not outright abuse you to your face. All day every day you feel like you don't quite fit in.

Despite all this you work your way to the very apex of your sport, winning premierships and every accolade the game has to offer. You assume that this would earn you some measure of respect - and from most people, it does - but the whispers continue. You're big enough to deal with it when it happens to you but you see children who continue to be vilified and denied a fair go so you put your energy into helping them whilst you continue to go about your day job.

So one night you're out on the field doing what you do best and despite all of your best efforts, despite all of the respect you feel you've earned, somebody decides to yell out that you're a heckin'g ape.

Can you tell me with a straight face that your first instinct isn't to whirl around and point your finger? Can you imagine being in Goodes's shoes that night?

Can you then imagine having the grace to make a public call for support for that girl and absolve her of blame for saying what she did? And despite all that, pricks like Andrew Bolt will point at that flashpoint, and demand that YOU apologise for the way you reacted and use it to justify spewing hatred and vitriol at you until you do.

It's an absolute disgrace.

another imaginer, brought to you by Sydney.

Is it the water?

 

[incog43]

Oh let me have a wild guess, "Rinse and Repeat"? Am I warm?

is that before....remove colors???

 

[threesixpio]

Mate, before you get the chance I'm going to applaud you for being prepared to look and listen and change your mind based on what you see rather than sticking to your guns in the face of all that evidence. Wish more people would do it.

Echols is a free thinking type and a great poster overall. Just don't ask Essendon supporters whether they think the same though

 

[DERIBERATE]

I've had just about enough of this bullshit about how he "bullied" that girl.

Imagine growing up indigenous in this country. Constantly having people point and whisper about you if not outright abuse you to your face. All day every day you feel like you don't quite fit in.

Yeah being from a migrant family doesn't present the same challenges. Get your hand off it.

You know what hurts most about being a wog in this country? Being told to go back to where you came from every day in school? No. Trying to identify with your culture, learning your language, visiting your home country and being told you're not really one of them either.

Everybody has challenges. I'm not going to look for a nice soft target like a little girl to overcome them though.

 

[skilts]

Of all the people I've ever met, the one of whom I'd take most notice in regard to conducting my life in an ethical manner would be a man whose job it is to chase a bag of wind around a paddock.

 

[kfc1]

How much spin needs to be involved to make "you're an Ape" a racial comment?

I'll give you a hint. It's a number between nothing and zero.

What year of school is it that they teach what is/isn't a racial slur for each race?

 

[incog43]

What year of school is it that they teach what is/isn't a racial slur for each race?

Dont worry, the AFL has a vid coming out!!!

 

[nineteen eighty]

And that's because Goodes crossed the line

It's one thing to have a go at the country awarding you what is regarded at its highest honour, but it's another to intentionally declare war (what a war dance is) and then hide behind the race card

Similar to how the Aussies in rugby walk up to the haka
The media tried to make it an issue, but the NZ teams stood up and said "it's war, you don't run"

Are you hearing yourself? FFS what is wrong with some of you blokes taking such extreme offense at his little jig.

Again I will ask those of you who are so offended....were you as offended when:

Tredrea hung shit on supporters with his mimic?
Mickey O stuck his face in front of the Eagles fans face?
Lockett booted the ball directly at a supporter and hit them (can that be construed as an act of war??)?
A Bulldogs player (I think) giving fans the bird. Or was it a Tigers player?

I repeat...are you really hearing yourself?

 

[The 747]

Man gets booed at football, 443 page thread results

 

[Flash of power]

I've had just about enough of this bullshit about how he "bullied" that girl.

Imagine growing up indigenous in this country. Constantly having people point and whisper about you if not outright abuse you to your face. All day every day you feel like you don't quite fit in.

Despite all this you work your way to the very apex of your sport, winning premierships and every accolade the game has to offer. You assume that this would earn you some measure of respect - and from most people, it does - but the whispers continue. You're big enough to deal with it when it happens to you but you see children who continue to be vilified and denied a fair go so you out your energy into helping them whilst you continue to go about your day job.

So one night you're out on the field doing what you do best and despite all of your best efforts, despite all of the respect you feel you've earned, somebody decides to yell out that you're a heckin'g ape.

Can you tell me with a straight face that your first instinct isn't to whirl around and point your finger? Can you imagine being in Goodes's shoes that night?

Can you then imagine having the grace to make a public call for support for that girl and absolve her of blame for saying what she did? And despite all that, pricks like Andrew Bolt will point at that flashpoint, and demand that YOU apologise for the way you reacted and use it to justify spewing hatred and vitriol at you until you do.

It's an absolute disgrace.

He knew she was young before he pointed her out - he said that!

How do you know, or Adam know that matter, that this girl hasn't had to endure ongoing bullying, taunts or abuse and Adam Goodes actions contributed to that? You don't, and neither does he. The point is he didn't think about that or care what damage his actions may cause a child, - and yet he is campaigning for others to think before they act or say something, can't you see the hypocrisy here?

I know he must have had to endure terrible things, and that is NOT OK, but he was the adult and she was a kid, it was an error of judgement on his part on this occasion, and nobody can tell me she deserved the public ridicule that she endured.

He could have handled it better and got the same result in regards to bringing awareness to the issue.

He had my respect, unfortunately he has lost it, at least until he recognises that maybe he could approach things differently. Once you lose people's respect, its pretty hard to get it back, he could have made so much more difference, but that is unlikely now as people will just switch off from him = and that is sad.

 

[romeohwho]

Doesn't make a damn of difference what year or what Century we're in....Free speech is a fundamental requirement of a free society....The fact you & so many other posters in here cannot see that; Is a core reason for so much of the confusion & conflict in this debate.

The fact that you consider racial abuse is freedom of speech is actually more of a concern for mine.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Guys and girls who think that there really is nothing wrong with booing Goodes, do you realise that you're now going to be seen as racists, regardless of whether you are or not? There's no grey area here anymore. It's now very much a black and white issue.

Do you understand that although you might just think Goodes is a tool who deserves to be booed, like Ballantyne and Boomer, that you're going to sitting their booing with hundreds of others who genuinely feel that Goodes had no right to point out someone in the crowd who'd called him an 'ape'?
Do you realise you'll be booing along with some others who feels that he shouldn't make any comments about Aboriginal history?
And lastly, do you realise that you'll be booing along with one or two, who genuinely think that "black campaigners get everything given to them, and can **** off!".

Sad but true, but there is varying levels of racism showing it's face amongst those who really want to give Goodes a piece of their mind. You'll be seen to be in that last group, even if you're generally in the first.

 

[javaguice]

I think this is what im trying to get at.

If you think Adam Goodes has his head up his arse then call him out on it. Come up with something you can shout rather than just boo.

Imagine if the barmy army came over and just booed the entire time.

Dont watch any american sport? They boo a fair bit.

 

[DERIBERATE]

He knew she was young before he pointed her out - he said that!

How do you know, or Adam know that matter, that this girl hasn't had to endure ongoing bullying, taunts or abuse and Adam Goodes actions contributed to that? You don't, and neither does he. The point is he didn't think about that or care what damage his actions may cause a child, - and yet he is campaigning for others to think before they act or say something, can't you see the hypocrisy here?

I know he must have had to endure terrible things, and that is NOT OK, but he was the adult and she was a kid, it was an error of judgement on his part on this occasion, and nobody can tell me she deserved the public ridicule that she endured.

He could have handled it better and got the same result in regards to bringing awareness to the issue.

He had my respect, unfortunately he has lost it, at least until he recognises that maybe he could approach things differently. Once you lose people's respect, its pretty hard to get it back, he could have made so much more difference, but that is unlikely now as people will just switch off from him = and that is sad.

We walk past dozens of security cameras, our seats are numbered, our season tickets are named, etc etc etc. Did I hear a racist adult? Shame him good and proud. Did I hear an unmistakeably young female voice? Go through club/admin/ground channels. Official statement endorsed by league, will not name or identify child due to being a minor.

 

[Vic pokiesmon]

well they wouldn't, of course, because the booing isn't along racial lines.

but thanks for confirming it's just a footy thing.

This comment is right up there in the stupid stakes along with the soccer player who wanted to deport Goodes.The issue isnt whether swans supporters have some rascist supporters as well.It wont come out when it involves one of there players.Its like sa

I can't. Plenty of others cop abuse but no other person or any race seems to have copped what Goodes has.
Which says it all - it's about the individual, not race.

An individual with a strong opinion about his race.We cant handle opinionated black men that dont tow the line.Thats the point..

 

[Footy Is The Win]

How much spin needs to be involved to make "you're an Ape" a racial comment?

I'll give you a hint. It's a number between nothing and zero.

In all honesty, I never made the link 'til Goodes pointed it out. Is there any other animals that are also racial slurs? You know, I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing now. Can we call him a dog? What about Chicken?

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

The fact that you consider racial abuse is freedom of speech is actually more of a concern for mine.

well it is. freedom of speech isn't simply limited to sunshine lollipops and rainbows everything that's wonderful is what i feel when we're together.

 

[DERIBERATE]

In all honesty, I never made the link 'til Goodes pointed it out. Is there any other animals that are also racial slurs? You know, I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing now. Can we call him a dog? What about Chicken?

I've heard people call Hirdy a germ, does that count?

 

[DrEvil_]

444, can't wait for page 666.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

What year of school is it that they teach what is/isn't a racial slur for each race?

School?

Any decent parent should be teaching their kid that you don't call other people names by the time they're old enough to socialise with others.

 

[Procrastinator35]

The fact that you consider racial abuse is freedom of speech is actually more of a concern for mine.

The fact of projecting your political stereotypes into my mouth is even more disconcerting....Because you seem to think it's O.K to do that....It isn't, so quit it.

 

[andrew coombs]

I think those commentators who have decided that the booing of Goodes is purely racist have done him a disservice. The issue is more complex than that and there are indeed many people who dislike Goodes not for his aboriginality, but for other reasons. I won't cop the " Way he plays football" line as that is completely inconsistent with the reaction of the crowd to many other players who have done as much as and often a lot more to piss people off. The main issue in my opinion is Goodes strongly put views on Indiginous Australia. For some reason a great chunk of society simply won't tolerate men or women with a high profile stepping outside their station and getting political. Bono,Marlon Brando,Jane Fonda,Robert Frost,Frank Hardy,Paul Robeson,Peter Garrett ( before becoming a politician,Ben Affleck,Cassius Clay ( and Ali), Billie Jean King etc have all been pilloried at one time or another for daring to stand up for their beliefs on divisive issues. In time as views changed of the issues many of these people were applauded for their courage in stepping up and accepting the vitriol that they knew would come and using their positions to try and change the close minded ness of much of the public. Goodes is naive if he thought there wasent going to be a backlash to his AOTY speech and his stance on being racially abused on that fateful night. He may have been badly advised. Perhaps he believed Australians would be more open minded to views that they disagree with. who knows? This whole saga has been depressing. The booing should cease. The football clubs that the booers love have pleaded with them to stop in the name of common decency. It will be interesting to see what happens. It is low rent behaviour but it can't be slated as racist.