Big Bad Lleyton

[Dippers Donuts]

Oh, and I showed this pun to my Sri Lankan work colleague and she laughed.

 

[Scottie Davo]

You know I believe that the entire debate about Hewitt should cover the entire professional tennis fraternity.

With certain exceptions, the tennis brigade are a bunch of spoilt, tantrum throwing, unapologetic embarrassments to humans as a whole.

I started coming to this conclusion when I was watching Kuerten come back frfom 2 sets down.

Did you see the tantrums he was throwing? Smashing the ball into the net, screaming at all and sundry, but oh the pleasure when he won. He smiled almost sheepishly at his opponent after match point and shook his hand.

This is tennis ansd always has been.

Martina Hingis. A prime example of a lack of grace. Refusing to accepot the runners up title at Wimbledon and being coaxed back by her mother. Disgraceful!

Even Jana Novotna, breaking down at the ceremony when fading against Graf, could at least summons the respect to stay there. She was bitterly disappointed. Cry away, fair enough.

Hingis waltzed off the court.

Chris evett Lloyd was a shining example of graciousness every time Navratilova carfried on during matches.

These tennis players need to go back to life school. Agassi can be the teacher. He is brilliant on and off the court. So is Rafter.

Hewitt, while he pumps me up, should just simply get some perspective.

I know that I will never understand the real pressures that these guys and girls are under in achieving the success as quickly as they can in a sport that can burn you out so quickly. But maybe they should realise that their children will one day watch the tapes of some games and understand what they want, or don't want to be...

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Originally posted by Chicago1


GOALden Hawk :

You specifically referred to the colour of Mr Williams' skin to gain a humorous reaction from readers.

It most certainly would be taken as racist in overtone by most African Americans. I'll ask my next door neighbour tomorrow and see what she thinks.

Do you see now why I say that Hewitt has to tread very carefully? You obviously didn't mean to be offensive to black people, but your pun certainly could be taken that way.

Not too sure about that "fantastic, multi-cultural society" you mentioned. I saw many problems first hand in Australia due to the differences in the cultures that abound in the nation. They're similar to the angst encountered here in the states. I do not wish to expound on the racism against Aborigines I observed, especially in one particular state. Reminded me of the Deep South that still lives on in places today!

BTW, good luck to the Hawks this weekend. I always like to go for the underdog!

A very good post Chicago1. I'm surprised that such a pun on words could be considered racist by some people.

Let me start by saying I am in no way a racist person, Blues 2001 will testify that I have friends of many different races and colours. That statement 'the pot calling the kettle black' was just a common saying I used to show how hypocritical it was of Richard Williams to be criticising Lleyton Hewitt when he has made comments that may be considered racist himself in the past.

Racism is defined in the dictionary as 'a belief in the superiority of a particular race, prejudice based on this.' I don't see how this saying fits under this definition. If that's the case, it could be considered offensive to call Bernie Ahern a 'white knight' when he saved Fitzroy a few years back because he is Anglo-Saxon.

However, I am not Afro-American or Aboriginal, so I cannot say whether I would be offended but such a thing. I'll be interested to see what your next door neighbour says, and I will ask an Aboriginal acquaitance of mine the same question.

But like you said, I certainly didn't mean it offensively, but if people take it that way I apologise. Living in Melbourne, I have never seen racism in any serious form, perhaps because Melbourne is very diverse and multi-cultural city. Perhaps if I spent some time in other parts of Australia I would feel differently.

However, I do definitely believe Australia has moved on from 1972, surely we have. I would be astounded in the treatment of Aboriginies since then hasn't improved. I'm not saying it is perfect and there is definitely work to do, but his exact quote was 'Australians treat Aboriginies like animals.' That is a very broad generalisation of the Australian public, and could be considered a racist comment itself. It would be like me saying all black people in France are beggars because that's what I mostly saw in my short time there when overseas. It would be a gross misrepresentation of the black population of France, and no doubt they would be offended by it.

As for Hewitt's 'innocence' - I'm defending him based on the facts I have seen on the tape and the fact his Afro-American opponent was quite willing to agree it wasn't a racist comment.

Anyway, that's my thoughts on the issue.

And cheers for the support on the Hawks, we are going to need it!

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts


Chicago1 - I think the current American fascination with political correctness has gone to your head. The pun did not read as rascist to me (the bad pun intended addendum clarified what i thought it was meant to be, ie a cheeky word play).

I may be wrong but that's how I saw it.

Exactly Dippers Donuts, well said. Clark Gabriel was on Toyota World Sports on SBS last night and he said the US media were going right over the top, making all sorts of wild accusations, many unfounded.

It seems the American journalists are going right over the top in the quest for political correctness and a story. If Hewitt's opponent had said the same thing about Hewitt and a white linesman, would the same furore have erupted I wonder?

 

[dees01]

Originally posted by dee_girl9



LOL...... NOOOOOOOO..... nah the reason i follow tommy, as well as Jonas Bjorkman, over lleyton is cos i followed them from the start and didnt want to swap when lleyton or pat or anyone else started. kinda like i did with melbourne. followed them before adelaide entered in 91 and didnt see any point in changing (glad i didnt. )

Hey I'm a big fan of Jonas Bjorkman as well! He is one of the few traditional net players left playing. I am still spewing about the first round of the Oz Open when he lost To Hewitt!

 

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts


Chicago1 - I think the current American fascination with political correctness has gone to your head. The pun did not read as rascist to me (the bad pun intended addendum clarified what i thought it was meant to be, ie a cheeky word play).

I may be wrong but that's how I saw it.

I appreciate your comment, Dip, but YOUR perception of the pun isn't what's in question. Neither is MINE as a white person. It's how the pun could be taken by an African American that's the gist of the matter. And sorry.... but a Sri Lankan isn't considered 'black' here (in reference to your next post).

 

[Chicago1]

GOALden Hawk :

Thanks for your last post. The perception of racism or racist remarks is what is being questioned. In no way do you seem racist. How you see something and how I see something can be quite different, though we're not the most important equation in this problem. It's something like Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" telling his daughter, Scout. that you can't really understand a person until you walk around in his shoes. Neither of us has been black nor had to put up with the comments, whispers, stares, etc that many black people in both of our countries have to.

One of my closest friends in Australia was English born but of Indian heritage. She was very dark skinned and told me about some of the discrimination she endured. She was even called a "******" by a student in her Year 9 class. I guess that's why I try to be careful about racial issues and it's not just being "politically correct" as Dippers Donuts suggested.

I find it remarkable that you say you have "never seen racism in any serious form" in Melbourne. After living there for 24 years I think I saw plenty, not always overt, but there just the same. And certainly the broader spectrum of prejudice is quite evident. I guess it is in all societies in one form or another. Our job is not to become accomplices to it as best we can.

Of course this doesn't pertain to footy. I think we should all be able to HATE (fill in the blank) as much as we want!

 

[eastaugh36]

Originally posted by Macca19


bullcrap!!!
in this thread "i take it you like same sex relationships....everyone better stay away from you"

not to mention about 15 comments in other threads

well obviously if I find it repulsive I will want to stay well away from it !

 

[Blues2001]

I'm not sticking up for Hewitt here in the slightest....but William's comments annoyed me greatly. His comments were basically, "Take a look at where he (Hewitt) comes from - they taught him these racist ways in Australia".

That is insulting to me and complete Bullsh*t. We aren't perfect in this area - not even close - but no less so than USA - or any country. Like Goalden Hawk said, Williams loves to play the race card - and I find this just as bad as Hewitt's behaviour which IMO was terrible behaviour.

P.S. Knowing him, I'm sure Goalden Hawk was not intending to be racist with his play on words.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by Chicago1


I appreciate your comment, Dip, but YOUR perception of the pun isn't what's in question. Neither is MINE as a white person. It's how the pun could be taken by an African American that's the gist of the matter. And sorry.... but a Sri Lankan isn't considered 'black' here (in reference to your next post).

Now we're talking shades of black? Come on C1; I find that statement odd to say the least. So a black Sri Lankan wouldn't appreciate/know a racial slur but an afro american would? I don't think so.

Anyway, I'm off to Circular Quay to me find me an afro american, then we'll know for sure.

 

[dee_girl9]

Originally posted by dees01


Hey I'm a big fan of Jonas Bjorkman as well! He is one of the few traditional net players left playing. I am still spewing about the first round of the Oz Open when he lost To Hewitt!

AHHHHHHH. dont want to talk about it. lol...... Hey did anyone know if lleyton lost to Haas or hasnt the game been played yet? (i have totally lost track of time.)

 

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts


Now we're talking shades of black? Come on C1; I find that statement odd to say the least. So a black Sri Lankan wouldn't appreciate/know a racial slur but an afro american would? I don't think so.

Anyway, I'm off to Circular Quay to me find me an afro american, then we'll know for sure.

Please notice the ' ' around black in my post. A Sri Lankan is of Asian heritage, not African. The use of the term 'black' here refers to African ancestry. It really isn't used in reference to people of India or Sri Lanka. Another example of not understanding the perception of a word.

Also 'Afro American' is a '70s term. It's not used today. I was watching a debate on a cable network about the use of the term 'African American'. Interesting to note some blacks do not like its use. They consider it divisive. I tend to agree, otherwise, if all Americans used their ancestry in a link to their American citizenship I'd be known as an Irish-German-Austrian-Czech-(nearly Australian) American! Imagine writing THAT on a census form!

Hope your trip to Circular Quay was 'successful'. I'm sure you had tea and bikkies after. Or was that a cigarette???

 

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by dee_girl9

AHHHHHHH. dont want to talk about it. lol...... Hey did anyone know if lleyton lost to Haas or hasnt the game been played yet? (i have totally lost track of time.)

The Haas/Hewitt match resumes shortly with Haas leading one set (6-3) to nil and 2 all in the second. Rain forced its delay.

UPDATE :

1.09pm EDT Wed 5 Sept.

Hewitt wins 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2

He now faces Andy Roddick in the Quarterfinals.