Play Nice Adam Goodes

[telsor]

He just said in the pre game interview on Fox Footy "the dance is intended directly at your opposition. It means here I stand, take me as I am"

So he's challenging people to have a go?

Yeah, nothing provocative there...

 

[Pusswah]

Against my better judgement. Apologies in advance.

Adam Goodes is a complicated case study. And yet, I still arrive at the conclusion that he is disliked/resented because he is outspoken about indigenous affairs and on casual racism. I see plenty of people say “I don’t boo him because I’m racist – I don’t boo (indigenous player X, Y, Z) – I boo him because he’s a tosser” or some variant – which explains nothing and in fact inverts the answer back to the question, why is Goodes disliked?

Been done to death, fairly dirty player treated like he's one of the cleanest in the game, with a heavy dose of sanctimony.

And of course, it’s not because Goodes is indigenous, in isolation. It’s because he’s an indigenous man with a voice and profile that he is unapologetic in using.

Making a generalisation here with a touch of strawman.

So he does a 5 second tribal dance and social media erupts. But it IS indigenous round, isn’t it? And Adam Goodes is an ambassador for indigenous people. And what exactly are people offended by? That it was directed towards Carlton supporters? (well if that’s the case its another tick from me!) Because it was a proud and anabashed tribute to his heritage?

Carlton supporters when the game had been decided in the first quarter, at an away game to see a team that's been beaten from pillar to post all season and have already sacked their coach. That'll show them.

The Drum in article last week rightly noted that football fans resent footballers using the game as a platform for anything political – they prefer their players to be oafish. Consider the popularity (still) of guys like Brendan Fevola, or Gary Ablett Sr. or Wayne Carey – the list goes on.

Tossers the lot of them, nice examples...

Of course, footballers these days are discouraged from having any personality at all – unless involves abstract bogan-wit like Nik Cummins.

Who?

It’s interesting that Australian’s are given carte blanche in expressing their patriotism – “lest we forget” – wearing flags as capes and consuming large quantities of beer.

More tossers.

It’s Billy Brownless or Bob Hawke skolling a pint at the cricket. Any expression outside very narrow anglo parameters is looked on with some suspicion – like, who does this self-absorbed narcissist think he is making it all about him?

They didn't jump on the field and do it centre stage did they? Did they wait til they scored their ton to do it for the camera?

Take this one of many images circulating social media about Goodes.

The digital age of “memes” have created a culture, I believe, that dilutes argument about complex issues through infantile selective soundbites under the guise of humour (It’s probably just one rung below tabloid journalism). It is definitely leading people to think less critically. Never mind Goodes' tireless and ongoing work with Aboriginal communities and charities or simply that his football exploits inspire to achieve – that isn’t funny, it contradicts people's strongly held prejudices against him and would take more than two seconds to think about.

Idiotic, simplistic joke by some moron that is obviously reflective of everyone in Australia overlooking Goodes' good work.

And it shows where a lot of the animosity towards Goodes lies. Admittedly, the singling out of a girl (who happened to be 13) last year in front of national television was not ideal, nor was it planned. Goodes simply heard to comment and reacting, pointed to the direction it came from.

From there, what is Goodes supposed to do? He is an icon for indigenous people so he can’t very well say – “well she’s 13, I guess we can let it slide” – the girl probably didn’t know the term “ape” had racist connotations.

No, you're right, best to go with the full court press and "Racism has a face. It's a 13-year-old girl."

But I suppose if we’re trying to achieve anything near racial equality, it has to start from the ground-up. It’s very unfortunate a young girl had to be made example of in such a public manner – but you might argue the public exposure of the incident might raise more awareness about it.

Quick, throw another kid on the fire, we've gotta do this properly.

I know, in my experience growing up, casual racism starts in the school playground (where there are often no indigenous children around to challenge the stereotypes) – it filters through the various channels becomes embedded in their psyche that indigenous persons are different, they are the butt of crude jokes.

Fair. It's a big discussion, but fair.

Goodes will attract attention no matter what he does – whether he dances, or not. Whether he gets a suspension or a reprimand. He is one of premier players in the game, an ambassador for Indigenous affairs, and in my opinion deserving AOTY winner. If you take issue with him you should review some of the other winners from previous years, with much less claim to the award than him.

Fair.

We need to turn our focus (and outrage) to the people who are ensuring ongoing racial prejudice by ensuring they remain impoverished – i.e. the current government

Can you please tell us a bit about those who are going out of their way to ensure 'they' remain impoverished. Like actual examples?
While there can be massive disagreements on how any problem should be tackled, I would be surprised if there is some government bogeyman actively trying to keep people down. "If we take these measures we can keep these filthy campaigners in their place." I'm not sure.

 

[Glenn_]

Whatever, you are being pedantic and precious

Just watched his presser, congrats Goodes you Flog, you have made this round all about you again.

The words over reaction from the Media and most on here come strongly to mind.

 

[Andrew Mc]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-11/suspended-fine-for-martin

Wonder what action the AFL will take against a threatening war dance including the 'throwing of a spear' towards families attending a football match

I dunno, that would have to happen first. At no stage in his dance did Goodes make a spear throwing action. Sure he brandished one, but there was no throwing motion, and I'm not sure how people can not see that.

 

[momentbymoment]

Will do with the self-research.

Life expectancy is definitely an issue. However I don't understand how that is an aboriginal rights issue.

If it's to do with healthcare, I always thought there were government programs where med graduates were relocated to those communities (could be wrong on that though). Sort of like an internship.

I think life expectancy is more due to drug/alcohol/violence abuse problems in those communities. In that case, I don't think it's so much an aboriginal rights issue, but more of a cultural modification issue for those communities.

You seem like you have a handle on these things. Why not put up your hand and help out?

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Goodes is an egotistical w***er.

 

[bigfarter]

How was the comment racist?

If you're an aboriginal or African-American, you are fair enough to assume that when someone shouts "Ape!" at you, they're doing so for racist reasons. Maybe the girl in question didn't mean it in that way but how was Goodes to know that? This is what I hate - where people assume he knew she was a young girl and was not using the word in the way it's been historically used against dark-skinned people. He instinctively turned and pointed to what he fairly assumed to be a racist comment aimed at him. People who think he had time to stop, identify the girl's age and context of the comment/motives behind it are being historically ignorant and insensitive, in my opinion.

 

[Plugger35]

So an aggressive war cry actually means "oh hi, let's be friends"?

If he did that sort of war cry unannounced charging at an opposition player waving his fists around, they may think he is going to attack them so you couldn't blame them if they tried to protect themselves by decking him.

That's the problem with doing that sort of thing spontaneously during a game, Goodes might intend it to just be a war cry celebrating a goal but not everyone else knows that.

That's why I said something like that should be done before the game where the opposition players are forewarned about it like the All Blacks haka, that way there are no misunderstandings with what he's doing and no problems occur with people retaliating.

 

[Winky]

It shows how institutionalized racism has been in Australia.

And trust me. The architects of that policy didn't considered themselves racist. They just thought the Chinese were a little dirty and cheated.

Typical armchair Sydney know all. Racism is a complicated issue and stats do not tell all the story. Sure there are some pure racists out there and they come from all walks of life including indigenous people (and I have seen incidences of these people shouting racial abuse at people from a broad range of countries. As an employer I have also had to intervene when instances of racism did crop up but in some of those instances there had been precedents which in some way did bring a level of understanding to why they occurred. This issue is far too complicated to be dealt with in this type of forum and there is nothing to be gained by standing on ones high horse declaring everyone is a racist because they don't agree with Adam Goodes. Try living in country towns in the NT and WA and you may see just how complicated the issue gets.

 

[King Notorious]

So he's challenging people to have a go?

Yeah, nothing provocative there...

The new benchmark for AFL. People and families go to the games to watch the footy and enjoy the night or day with their friends or kids or significant other. Only to be ridiculed and told to "fu*k off" by an ancient war tribe dance.

Ladies and gentleman. I am done.

 

[captain cotch 9]

What if Lewis Jetta did the dance instead of Goodes? Everyone would of thought it was awesome and moved on.
Goodes polarise people because he brings politics into football.
I don't care that he is aboriginal at all. I just don't like the bloke. Being Aboriginal has nothing to do with that.
I didn't like Kouta. I didn't not like him because he is Greek. Same applies to Goodes.

IMO poeple don't like him because he brings politics into AFL and he is a drama queen.
End of story.

 

[momentbymoment]

I know racism is an issue, but I don't see other indigenous players reacting in such ways. He has put himself on a level which he simply shouldn't be on. He almost thrives on the attention now, which the issue shouldn't be about. Surely all the talk being about his actions is not what he set out to achieve, putting important issues in the background.

I wonder if he is thriving or wether he just felt compelled to stand up and be counted.

Nelson Mandela is a household name, but he never chose fame. He just recognized injustice and made a stand.

Why don't you give him the benefit of the doubt and have a look at all the amazing work he does behind the scenes.

 

[Andrew Mc]

So he's challenging people to have a go?

Yeah, nothing provocative there...

So, chest bumping, shoulder charges, little digs to the ribs are ok, but a dance isn't? The game is based on besting your opponents, so what's the big issue?

 

[Andrew Mc]

The new benchmark for AFL. People and families go to the games to watch the footy and enjoy the night or day with their friends or kids or significant other. Only to be ridiculed and told to "fu*k off" by an ancient war tribe dance.

Ladies and gentleman. I am done.

Good, you're too precious to stay around here.

 

[JackOutback]

How was the comment racist?

Are you really comfortable playing such an extremely valuable ignorance card?

 

[jimbler]

#I'llbeyourtwitterfriendRobbo

Article last night

A friend last night said he was sitting in the bay next to the Carlton fans and described the language coming from that area as appalling.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...ys-mark-robinson/story-fnp04d70-1227375719706

And now

 

[Kummerspeck]

Making a generalisation here with a touch of strawman.

and then later in the same post:

I would be surprised if there is some government bogeyman actively trying to keep people down. "If we take these measures we can keep these filthy campaigners in their place."

Hmmm...

 

[morgoth]

Not being allowed to be offensive is a chore?

Some people go to the footy to enjoy the game, not watch a bunch of boorish idiots yell rubbish from behind a fence.

See this is the problem. People like you automatically think you cannot bag the opposition without resorting to racism or poor taste.

The vast majority do not but all seem to get labeled as such. I knew when I posted there would be a few self righteous types who would jump to conclusions. Congrats you won the prize.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Holy shit... I expected to find a big thread on here when I got home this morning... but 70 pages!

Bigfooty, I am impressed! I'm not going to read a word of it, but I am impressed.

I have read this much so far....just your post. I'm ver impressed too!

I

 

[JackOutback]

See this is the problem. People like you automatically think you cannot bag the opposition without resorting to racism or poor taste.

The vast majority do not but all seem to get labeled as such. I knew when I posted there would be a few self righteous types who would jump to conclusions. Congrats you won the prize.

I said nothing of racism, I said I don't go to football to watch a bunch of boorish idiots. Whether the comment is racist or just plain offensive (f***ing soft ****, or the like) or simply childish (grown men booing), it's pathetic. As are people who think it's part and parcel of the game.

 

[King Notorious]

Good, you're too precious to stay around here.

Take it easy buddy. Everyone's opinions are validated here

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I predict this thread will close in 3 pages.

Not a great prediction

 

[Lester Burnham]

Do you believe that when Adam turned toward the sound of "Ape!" he instinctively knew it was a 13 year old girl and decided to victimise her? Surely he just turned and pointed towardd the sound of a racist comment - he didn't have time to judge the age, context and reason behind what the girl said. I despise the rewritten narrative that he picked on a poor young girl. He heard a racist term and pointed it out.

He stood there for several seconds pointing at the child and gesturing for the burly security guards to come over and take her away. At which point do you think he felt threatened?

 

[King Notorious]

What if Lewis Jetta did the dance instead of Goodes? Everyone would of thought it was awesome and moved on.
Goodes polarise people because he brings politics into football.
I don't care that he is aboriginal at all. I just don't like the bloke. Being Aboriginal has nothing to do with that.
I didn't like Kouta. I didn't not like him because he is Greek. Same applies to Goodes.

IMO poeple don't like him because he brings politics into AFL and he is a drama queen.
End of story.

Everyone would applaud Lewis Jetta because he doesn't shove opinions down our throats.

 

[Pusswah]

and then later in the same post:


Hmmm...

Yeah, you're going to have to make a bit more sense here. Thanks for contributing.