Analysis Is it acceptable for AFL clubs to be politically biased?

Feb 21, 2006
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If you read my post you will see that I agree with most of what you say. However, I believe the term "Invasion Day" is a misleading assessment of what happened. In fact, I think it is provocative to the good, ordinary Australians who have a deep sympathy for indigenous recognition and reconciliation. The overwhelming number of Australians were glad to see the PM at the time apologise for past wrongs. What is it that the proponents of "Invasion Day" want? Do they want us to all pack up and go back to where our ancestors originated? Like that's going to happen. We don't hold current day Germans responsible for what happened during WW2.

"The overwhelming number of Australians were glad to see the PM at the time apologise for past wrongs"

Sure about that? If that was the case why did it take over a decade and a change of government for it to occur? You want to know why things escalated to the point of labelling it "Invasion Day" thank John Howard's culture wars with his cheerleaders in the Murdoch press.
 
Feb 21, 2006
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actually does it? How does ignoring Australia day improve the rights and lives of aboriginals?
Will changing the date improve their lives?
Are we talking about their day to day lives because if you talk to their elders the most important issues is drugs and alcohol related.
To me the Australia day issue is more of a non aboriginal issue.

Treating each person with respect is a far greater way of influencing their lives.

I agree but there's no reason both issues can't be addressed.
 
If you read my post you will see that I agree with most of what you say. However, I believe the term "Invasion Day" is a misleading assessment of what happened. In fact, I think it is provocative to the good, ordinary Australians who have a deep sympathy for indigenous recognition and reconciliation. The overwhelming number of Australians were glad to see the PM at the time apologise for past wrongs. What is it that the proponents of "Invasion Day" want? Do they want us to all pack up and go back to where our ancestors originated? Like that's going to happen. We don't hold current day Germans responsible for what happened during WW2.
The Germans still pay reparations for what happened. Australia should do the same in the form of land and resources to help those whose culture and ancestry we ruined. None of this will have any effect on the day to day doings of most Australians.
 
The Germans still pay reparations for what happened. Australia should do the same in the form of land and resources to help those whose culture and ancestry we ruined. None of this will have any effect on the day to day doings of most Australians.

No, the Germans don't pay reparations.

They did after WW1, but after WW2 it was recognised that destroying an economy by forcing massive reparation payments only led to extremism and a desire for revenge. (AKA Nazis and WW2), so they didn't do that again (indeed, with the Marshall plan, they did the opposite to an extent).

One of Hitler's more popular policies was to (unilaterally) stop paying reparations.
 
It's amusing that so many people are shocked that sporting organisations funded by memberships are trying to be inclusive.

Being inclusive by dividing ..... The intersectional argument ladies and gentlemen.
 
Being inclusive by dividing ..... The intersectional argument ladies and gentlemen.

Yeah, I suppose you're diving the general population away from racists, sexists, etc.

I'm not sure who else is divided on those issues. Most people don't really care at all, and touching on those issues brings more opportunity for membership.

Literally every modern organisation does this. What workplace do you know that is anti BLM?
 
Yeah, I suppose you're diving the general population away from racists, sexists, etc.

I'm not sure who else is divided on those issues. Most people don't really care at all, and touching on those issues brings more opportunity for membership.

Literally every modern organisation does this. What workplace do you know that is anti BLM?

"Everyone we don't like is a racist/sexist/nazi."
"Why, what did they say?"

"STOP DEFENDING RACIST, SEXIST NAZIS!"
 
"Everyone we don't like is a racist/sexist/nazi."
"Why, what did they say?"

"STOP DEFENDING RACIST, SEXIST NAZIS!"

Who are you quoting?
 

Aussie in exile

Norm Smith Medallist
Nov 21, 2013
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By and large clubs and club presidents lend their support to candidates or parties that they think will be most favourable to them i terms of money and other favours
 
The so called political issues that AFL clubs or the AFL get behind are so light weight and almost exclusively on the side of the majority or where the majority is headed. I wish some clubs had the guts to put their balls on the line and actually make a stance before it’s absolutely safe and market tested on ‘the project’ to do so.

People who get their knickers in a knot about it need to look at international sporting clubs and be grateful. Just look at Liverpool FC, hard left socialist for 100+ years.
 
Being inclusive by dividing ..... The intersectional argument ladies and gentlemen.
One for you to think about...

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I mean most of the "political" statements being made these days are about making the sport and society more inclusive. If that pisses you off, then it says a fair bit about your character.
 

mr bagcroft

Norm Smith Medallist
May 19, 2017
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I mean most of the "political" statements being made these days are about making the sport and society more inclusive. If that pisses you off, then it says a fair bit about your character.
Sure champ? A not insignificant amount of those statements are self interest virtue signalling.
And thats a fact.
 
Sure champ? A not insignificant amount of those statements are self interest virtue signalling.
And thats a fact.
I'd argue that contrary to the catchy but incorrect get woke go broke refrain, the market is driving this push for inclusiveness, there's $$$ to be had in it and the AFL is responding to this rather than leading the way.
 
Apr 12, 2010
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They don't have to try and be inclusive. Just don't be exclusive. That's enough.

Is it though?

If you have a track record of not being welcome to "sheilas" or "abos" or "NTTAWWTs" is it enough to come out and say, "oh, we aren't like that anymore" or is there an obligation to show/prove somewhat that you've changed your ways?
 

mr bagcroft

Norm Smith Medallist
May 19, 2017
9,310
10,870
AFL Club
St Kilda
Is it though?

If you have a track record of not being welcome to "sheilas" or "abos" or "NTTAWWTs" is it enough to come out and say, "oh, we aren't like that anymore" or is there an obligation to show/prove somewhat that you've changed your ways?
You just...do.
Stuff having to prove s**t to anyone.
 
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