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

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Sixpence

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I read a lot of comments about how at 13, she'd know exactly what the term Ape meant in relation to Aboriginals. Somehow I doubt it. I don't think I knew the implications of those types of words at 13 (I may have, I might have learnt it later). I knew what racism was and why it was bad, but words like Ape and Monkey are pretty innocuous if you don't know the history behind them. The history of such terms is something you pick up over time and not necessarily by the time you're 13. I also doubt any parents have sat their kids down and explained the meaning of every racial slur!

So yeh, I don't think it's fair to say she knew what it meant. Every learns at their own pace. I'm quite willing to bet she knows now though!

As for Goodes singling her out, I don't think that was the best way for him to go about it, considering how young she was. I do understand though why he did it, particularly after hearing his interview afterwards. As others have said, I think he handled it pretty well post game.
 

DrEvil

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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.
wait till the day bruce calls majak a gorilla forward on tv.
 

DrEvil

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I read a lot of comments about how at 13, she'd know exactly what the term Ape meant in relation to Aboriginals. Somehow I doubt it. I don't think I knew the implications of those types of words at 13 (I may have, I might have learnt it later). I knew what racism was and why it was bad, but words like Ape and Monkey are pretty innocuous if you don't know the history behind them. The history of such terms is something you pick up over time and not necessarily by the time you're 13. I also doubt any parents have sat their kids down and explained the meaning of every racial slur!

So yeh, I don't think it's fair to say she knew what it meant. Every learns at their own pace. I'm quite willing to bet she knows now though!

As for Goodes singling her out, I don't think that was the best way for him to go about it, considering how young she was. I do understand though why he did it, particularly after hearing his interview afterwards. As others have said, I think he handled it pretty well post game.
Goodes could've called her a fat-arse and all would be even.
 

Noneedforaname

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Really, I've never heard the term 'ape' or heard anything monkey or primate related in regards to Aborigines. People of African descent, wherever they be in the world, sure, but nothing heard spoken against Aborigines. (Was it the Barnes of Liverpool who used to get bananas thown at him mid game?)

Still, it does't excuse things one way or the other. It's not for us to say its offensive or not, Goodes (who I otherwise detest, but applaud on this issue) was, and that's that. Super credit for the follow up he's given so far. Remains to see what the media and the AFL turn it into. Another Winmar moment it aint.

Terrible thing to happen anywhere in the game today, but to kick off the indigenous round just defies belief
 

TAITA

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I read a lot of comments about how at 13, she'd know exactly what the term Ape meant in relation to Aboriginals. Somehow I doubt it. I don't think I knew the implications of those types of words at 13 (I may have, I might have learnt it later). I knew what racism was and why it was bad, but words like Ape and Monkey are pretty innocuous if you don't know the history behind them. The history of such terms is something you pick up over time and not necessarily by the time you're 13. I also doubt any parents have sat their kids down and explained the meaning of every racial slur!

So yeh, I don't think it's fair to say she knew what it meant. Every learns at their own pace. I'm quite willing to bet she knows now though!

As for Goodes singling her out, I don't think that was the best way for him to go about it, considering how young she was. I do understand though why he did it, particularly after hearing his interview afterwards. As others have said, I think he handled it pretty well post game.
A LOT of looking through rose colored glasses about the innocence of your average 13 year old these days - I remember what my generation knew and got up to at that age - well before social media, mobile phones and the internet/information age - hell, I only had 2 TV stations at that point in my life.

FWIW I played with some aboriginals, maoris and islanders who would have belted you into tomorrow if you referred to them with such a disgusting and disparaging slur - it's just common sense (which sadly, appears not to be so common)
 
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A LOT of looking through rose colored glasses about the innocence of your average 13 year old these days - I remember what my generation knew and got up to at that age - well before social media, mobile phones and the internet/information age - hell, I only had 2 TV stations at that point in my life.

FWIW I played with some aboriginals, maoris and islanders who would have belted you into tomorrow if you referred to them with such a disgusting and disparaging slur - it's just common sense (which sadly, appears not to be so common)
Like you post TAITA but I must comment on how lucky you were to have two TV stations when you were 13. When I was 13 smoke signals were the in thing or at night the Town Cryer.

Oh to be 13 again and know what I know now. Like, I could have placed a long term bet for Hawthorn to win 10 Premierships. Imagine the odds?
 

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Adelaide Hawk

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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?
Actually, yes. Goodes himself said he looked over and saw someone he thought to be about 14. I'm in the minority on this forum, but I still think it was a very average thing for Goodes to do when there were other channels he could have gone through.

Being humiliated on a national stage is just too great a punishment for a 13 year old who made a mistake.
 

Flukey!

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Actually, yes. Goodes himself said he looked over and saw someone he thought to be about 14. I'm in the minority on this forum, but I still think it was a very average thing for Goodes to do when there were other channels he could have gone through.

Being humiliated on a national stage is just too great a punishment for a 13 year old who made a mistake.

What other channels? Do a video review of the game later to try and pick the girl out?
No, he did the right thing.

It's a great lesson for every other ******* kid/adult who goes to the footy each week that she got picked out the way she did.
Hopefully it's a life lesson for her and for anybody else that thinks that is acceptable behaviour.
 
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