More boo advocates need to have the courage to ask themselves this question, and stop prioritising their right to defend their racism over Adam Goodes’ right to say that he feels racial abused.
Advertisement
Many trace the row to a 2013 incident in which he identified a 13-year-old girl in the crowd who called him an “ape”, leading to her ejection from the stands.
Adam Goodes appears at a promotional event earlier this year. While that policy was abolished in 1973, the country has had episodes of race-related violence since, including attacks in the past decade on Indian students attending local universities.
The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples issued a joint statement by 150 ethnic, sporting, religious and professional organisations and associations on Friday saying Australia “must and can be better than this”.
“I think the game is looking at a number of things in the short term, but [also] in the long-term educational approach to what Adam may or may not represent”.
“It is about respect for all players, not just Adam”.
“It’s their prerogative. Australia can have an opinion”.
“Being indigenous, if he was my team-mate I wouldn’t want to play with him”. A referendum to recognize Aborigines in the constitution has been on hold for years. “Even if they don’t think it’s racism, it’s bullying and that’s no good, he shouldn’t cop it week in and week out”, Mr Yunupingu said. “People are booing out of discomfort”.
Sydney’s next away game is against Geelong on August 8 and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley wants any fans at Simonds Stadium who boo Goodes to be held to account. Others are doing it because he’s playing for a rival team and others are just sheep.
ADELAIDE will regain its “anchor” in defence for Saturday’s clash against the Sydney Swans, with key defender Daniel Talia completely over a bout of illness.
Indigenous official Jason Mifsud briefed Tuesday’s meeting of the AFL Commission about the Goodes issue.
For after all, when white fellas such as Kevin Sheedy and Eddie McGuire preach, no one complains or boos.
‘It’s Australia’s game and always will be and I have no doubt supporters will follow the lead of players and coaches who acknowledge Adam Goodes as one of our great champions, and a man who commands respect.’. “Sydney played Carlton… We were surrounded by Indigenous leaders and football notables at the SCG so when Goodes did his “war dance” all I thought of was the spirit of the Indigenous round”.
PM: I was listening to your earlier comments about Adam Goodes, and I know this is a pretty hot issue and I know that it has been very controversial for lots of people.
The Richmond AFL club will wear a special shirt usually reserved for the league’s indigenous week in their match this weekend to support Goodes.
This country is built on decades of immigration, and is also blessed with the oldest culture known to our planet – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
However, I no longer think it matters what the reasons for the booing Goodes are.
Advertisement
Akermanis said it would be a shame if Goodes decided to retire over the controversy, and said the 35-year-old needed to make a decision about “whether he’s for the club or for himself”.
