No Opposition Supporters General AFL and other clubs discussion thread. **Opposition fans not welcome**

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Ned Ryerson

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Agent Smith

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Tough situation, given it's a 13 year old girl. You would hope the media would tread lightly with this, but seeing as we're talking about flogs like Matt Thompson, they'll possibly pursue her to the ends of the earth and then claim no responsibility if the girl does something drastic as a result. Let us hope wiser heads prevail, but I hold little optimism with the current state of our media.

At least this is a wake-up call to all supporters. People seem to think they can yell anything they want at players as though they were machines, or like they're watching a movie and players can't hear you. Yeah, they can, and they are human. If any benefit can come from this, it's that everyone should realize what they say can and does offend, even if most of the time the players try to ignore it.
 

Ned Ryerson

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I know it's probably just me, but there is something really satisfying in watching Port Power get smashed.

Though these days it reminds me of the time we beat them by 165!!!!
As little regard as I have for Geelong - it was pretty funny watching Port get absolutely dismantled in 2007 after all the carry-on Choc Williams went on with during the week that wining a granny was simply inevitable because Port had dominated the SANFL. This is why I loved Clarko's ******** remark last week - you don't talk about winning as thought it is inevitable. Williams learned this the hard way.
 

PenAndPaperJosh

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As little regard as I have for Geelong - it was pretty funny watching Port get absolutely dismantled in 2007 after all the carry-on Choc Williams went on with during the week that wining a granny was simply inevitable because Port had dominated the SANFL. This is why I loved Clarko's ******** remark last week - you don't talk about winning as thought it is inevitable. Williams learned this the hard way.
I was loving watching Geelong smash them in 07, then i travelled down to Geelong that afternoon to stay at a mates holiday house and the amount of naked blokes running around with cats flags was hilarious. Wish they had of just won that one and not any more then I probably would still like them.
 

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Tough situation, given it's a 13 year old girl.
Like any other sane thinking person, I'm appaulled by displays of blatant racial abuse.

However, I don't know what I find more distasteful. A 13 year old girl using the term "ape". or a 300 game veteran running to mummy, dobbing in and publicly humiliating a 13 year old on national TV.

I find it very difficult to believe a 13 year old would have used that term to racially vilify Goodes, I hear 13 year olds calling each other apes all the time, no matter what colour their skin may be.

There are very effective ways to make a point about racial vilification, this wasn't it.
 

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Prudster

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Ape/monkey is sometimes used as a racist comment towards those with darker skin, be they of Aboriginal or African origin.
I think the main problem with it is that it was an insult that has historically been used. That is why it is different to people comparing caucasians to monkeys. In fact, comparing Indigenous people to animals full stop is off limits, due to the history there.
 

Ned Ryerson

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Like any other sane thinking person, I'm appaulled by displays of blatant racial abuse.

However, I don't know what I find more distasteful. A 13 year old girl using the term "ape". or a 300 game veteran running to mummy, dobbing in and publicly humiliating a 13 year old on national TV.

I find it very difficult to believe a 13 year old would have used that term to racially vilify Goodes, I hear 13 year olds calling each other apes all the time, no matter what colour their skin may be.

There are very effective ways to make a point about racial vilification, this wasn't it.
The wealth of support has been behind Goodes and his actions. He handled it with absolute class today - the girl apologised and he accepted and asked everyone to give her a break. Also - I wouldn't ever tell an Aboriginal person how to react to something like that. Being white I've never copped racism - and I dare say Goodes has on numerous occasions. Perhaps, and given it's Indigenous Round, this was just one time too many and he didn't want to cop it. That's his decision and I don't think anyone can hold that against him.

And I've hear numerous racist morons refer to Aboriginals as apes and rock-apes. I don't think this is some hip Gen Z word that this girl decided to yell - I'd be flawed if she meant absolutely no racist overtone.
 

Hawkas1988

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The wealth of support has been behind Goodes and his actions. He handled it with absolute class today - the girl apologised and he accepted and asked everyone to give her a break. Also - I wouldn't ever tell an Aboriginal person how to react to something like that. Being white I've never copped racism - and I dare say Goodes has on numerous occasions. Perhaps, and given it's Indigenous Round, this was just one time too many and he didn't want to cop it. That's his decision and I don't think anyone can hold that against him.

And I've hear numerous racist morons refer to Aboriginals as apes and rock-apes. I don't think this is some hip Gen Z word that this girl decided to yell - I'd be flawed if she meant absolutely no racist overtone.

Fully agree with everything you've said here
 

Changa10

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The wealth of support has been behind Goodes and his actions. He handled it with absolute class today - the girl apologised and he accepted and asked everyone to give her a break. Also - I wouldn't ever tell an Aboriginal person how to react to something like that. Being white I've never copped racism - and I dare say Goodes has on numerous occasions. Perhaps, and given it's Indigenous Round, this was just one time too many and he didn't want to cop it. That's his decision and I don't think anyone can hold that against him.

And I've hear numerous racist morons refer to Aboriginals as apes and rock-apes. I don't think this is some hip Gen Z word that this girl decided to yell - I'd be flawed if she meant absolutely no racist overtone.
I don't condone what this girl said, but I'd seriously be shocked if she even understood how that comment was racist towards aboriginals, let alone meant any harm by her comment.
 

Ned Ryerson

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I don't condone what this girl said, but I'd seriously be shocked if she even understood how that comment was racist towards aboriginals, let alone meant any harm by her comment.
I think you sadly underestimate the racism that some young people can harbour - especially if it's been reinforced at home. The racism I used to hear on the sporting field when I was in my early teens was disgusting - and the kids knew exactly what they were saying.
 

Davo23

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I don't condone what this girl said, but I'd seriously be shocked if she even understood how that comment was racist towards aboriginals, let alone meant any harm by her comment.

You think so?
I'd assume her parents have had some influence - kids that age often reflect their parents' ugly attitudes.

This incident may just have put her on the right path.
 
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The other point to consider - do you seriously expect Goodes to realise it was a 13-year old in the heat of the moment while he's trying to play elite sport at the highest level?

Sure, after he'd heard the term and been offended, turned to point out where it came from and yelled to the nearest guard, he may have realised she was a young looking teenager, but last night no commentator or journo with the benefit of numerous replays correctly picked her age.

You can't seriously expect an AFL player to assess someone's age during play before deciding if they'll take offence to racism.

On the "ape" comment - it's meant to imply that he is sub-human, inferior due to the colour of his skin.

Racist no matter how you spin it.
 

Changa10

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You think so?
I'd assume her parents have had some influence - kids that age often reflect their parents' ugly attitudes.

This incident may just have put her on the right path.
I think you sadly underestimate the racism that some young people can harbour - especially if it's been reinforced at home. The racism I used to hear on the sporting field when I was in my early teens was disgusting - and the kids knew exactly what they were saying.
Fair enough, I guess I'm more of an assume it was an innocent attempt at humor on her behalf. If you watch her as she says it, she turns to the person sitting next to her and giggles away, so my take was she just thought she was being funny.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter, as that sort of comment is not on. Like you say hopefully she learns from this. Goodes has been great, but what I would like to see him do is explain publicly why this sort of comment offends his people so much. Yes, we understand, but there are many that don't, and I think if he explains the reasons behind it publicly then it could really help, given his profile.
 
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