Proposed Aboriginal Carnival

[servo]

The AFL has rejected a proposal for a national Aboriginal only football carnival.

Charles Perkins has labeled them as racist for that decision.

I think an aboriginal carnival would provide some very high standard and exciting football. But I also believe that the exclusion of non aboriginal players is in itself racist.

Would the AFL be allowed to have an all white carnival or an all European carnival? No of course not and we wouldnt wan't them to.

What do you think? I know this thread is potentially inflamatory so please try and keep the discussion civil.

 

[Razza]

If it is an Aboriginal carnival it makes sense to make it for Aboriginals. Why not????
As a special vent I say again why not??
It seems to me that we get evrything we need example medical, social services but Aboriginals are said to be on the take when receiving these services we take for granted.

Why bring it up?????

 

[servo]

Just heard Charlie Perkins interviewed on KG & Cornsey's show in Adelade.

It seems the proposed carnival is for under 23's non AFL players and all they are looking for is an AFL sanction. The carnival would be held in Adelaide.

For once Charlie made a lot of sense. He used the examples of the Police Games, The Paralympics, the 'happy' (bigfooty automatically sensored the proper word ie: G-A-Y )Games & the Jewish games held regularly. Those events, with the exception of the Paralympics which is organised under the IOC banner, are organised and mostly paid for by the special interest groups involved and whatever sponsors they can attract.

It actually sounds like a good idea.

The AFL probably has the most pro-active anti-racist policies of any sporting body in the country. Perhaps in this case they could also be seen to be pro-football. The carnival would not be at the expense of or in detriment to any other racial, religious or minority group.

I was originally against it as i thought it was anti non-aboriginal. In essence it is really pro-aboriginal. There is a distinct difference in those two concepts. I see no problem with anything that falls into the pro-aboriginal category.

[This message has been edited by servo (edited 25 May 2000).]

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Thanks for the info Servo

If this is how it was going to set up then it sounds like a very good idea and I cannot understand why the AFL doesn't think so as well.

 

[Bluey]

1. Sorry for the g-a-y censored word.

2. I say they should go for it. The AFL should be proud to say - through sponsorship of these games - "the aboriginals have been screwed by everyone, we're happy to give something back to their community."
It seems that in Australia you can be proud of being anything except Aboriginal or descended from the first Euro settlers/invaders.
(Please excuse a two paragraph treatment of a very complex topic.)