It doesn’t have to be against the rules to count as racism.

Just one more story about Adam Goodes. Though I shouldn’t feel bad about telling it in case everyone is fed up by it, because this issue needs to stay at the forefront. It has generated so much discussion already and some of it must have been beneficial rather than just straight hate, surely.

Firstly, for anyone who is reading this from a country other than Australia, you may not be aware of what has been going on in Australia for the past couple of months with regards to racism. Here is an article to fill you in:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-30/indigenous-affairs-minister-slams-booing-of-goodes-as-ignorant/6661424

A few months ago, back when the Adam Goodes story was definitely at the forefront of every news program, and at least every A.F.L news program, I attended a Sydney Swans game at the SCG (as I have done every home game for the last 15 years). It was against Collingwood, and one of the last games of the season after which Adam Goodes would almost certainly be retiring. It was after Goodes had played against West Coast, and after he had taken leave and then made his return, hoping to put all of the previous issues behind him. Though it had been obvious since his return that the booing had not and would not stop, he was getting on with it, and the rest of his supporters were trying to as well, not helped by the certain number among his critics that felt the need to keep on bringing this issue up along with the argument of “is it or isn’t it racist” and reminding everyone that “I just don’t like him”. Good for you, you could still keep that to yourself. Unfortunately it seems, whatever the reason for their hate, and even after the mountain of racial abuse Adam Goodes has received (because, yes, he has no matter which way you look at it) people feel like they cannot just keep it to themselves.

I enjoyed the game up until the second half when we were joined by an opposition supporter taking up a seat behind us and proceeding to abuse Goodes every time he got the ball. No, he didn’t boo. No, he didn’t shout racial abuse (though I was waiting for him to do just that to give me the chance to get him thrown out). The only things he actually did were shout things like “Why don’t you just bugger off and retire Goodes you’re old and slow” and “Get out of it Goodes” and, effectively “I want to make it known that I don’t like you Goodes”. No, these weren’t racist comments. But it was still beyond me how anyone could want to disrespect him and make their hate for him clear when it has been associated with racism. If this man had wanted to take a stand against racism he would have done so by keeping his mouth shut. Yes, many would argue that it’s his right to say whatever he wants at the football and so on but this was not a normal situation. He knew full well that abuse towards Adam Goodes had been associated with racism, that Adam Goodes himself had said he sees it as racist, that many people had come out online and made racist comments about him, but he chose to go along with it anyway. Unfortunately, despite my fury, all I could manage were a few dirty looks his way because I was scared. Had he said something outwardly racist, I would have confronted him and gotten security. Though underhandedly racist in supporting and providing cover for the people that were, he hadn’t done or said anything against the rules. Though I do not doubt he would have gladly entered into a hate filled argument about exactly why he wasn’t racist, while at the same time proving exactly how he was, I couldn’t bring myself to confront someone who was not being outwardly racist.

After the final siren went signalling a Swans victory, it was my mum who came to the rescue and I have to say it’s one of the proudest moments I have had as a daughter. She turned round in her seat, looked the guy square in the face and said sternly “Now you can bugger off and retire”.

It doesn’t have to be against the rules to count as racism.

P.F.

Dismissal.

It’s comforting to see that there is so much content circulating online surrounding race, and in particular surrounding the complexity of racism issues and how easy it is for white people to dismiss their racism as something else. This at least shows that racism issues such as the ones surfacing over the past year aren’t exclusive to Australia, as they have definitely seemed. One of the most difficult things about the discussions of racism online are a simple lack of understanding towards the sufferance of other people, and a tendency to dismiss racist claims because they are too uncomfortable and confronting to admit to. This is encapsulated so perfectly in a YouTube video made by Everyday Feminism and Vlogger Celia Edell that it’s tempting to just drop the whole transcript down here, say “discuss” and walk away. Because what else can I say that hasn’t already been said by so many people? The problem is, the people that need to be, aren’t listening, and it’s very difficult to find a way to make them do so. Could we go back to the simple, primary school saying “Think about what it’s like to walk in their shoes.” It really is as simple as that, as Celia says in her video:

“White people don’t bare the social burden of race, so we don’t have to think about it all the time in order to move through society. We can sort of forget about our racial identity and it doesn’t really come up as much. When people of color bring up race, it’s easy for white people to dismiss it, like “Oh, that’s irrelevant here. You’re playing the race card.” Or, “Oh, that’s a personal issue, not a race thing….But, this is really to dismiss their reality as a racialized person, whose race is always present and relevant to them. Instead, correct yourself. Think, just because this is not an issue of race for me, it does not mean it’s not a racial issue for someone else.”

The key: Race is not always present and relevant to white people. So what would give someone the right to tell another when and when not something is an issue of race? How can someone possibly say to another person “that’s irrelevant, stop playing the race card” when the “race card” is something they have never, ever, ever……..ever, had to deal with in their life, as opposed to someone who has possibly dealt with it every single day of their life? It really is, understandably, a difficult thing to comprehend, but it is something worth thinking about every time we go to deny something as a racial issue. Before you go to rebut someone in an online argument by saying “it’s a personality thing, not a race thing” just stop, and try and think of something that’s been a big part of your life, but not necessarily for anyone elses, whether it be a parent that has passed away, or a friend that is ill and think how it would feel for someone to tell you to “stop playing the sympathy card” when you tell your story about it. Because that’s what happens an overwhelming amount when Indigenous Australians have come out and shared their story with racism and the grief and trauma it has caused them throughout their life. And that needs to change.

P.F.

More Disappointment.

Well, I’m angry. I’m angry that it has come to this and I’m angry in anticipation of what the “I’m not racist buts..” are going to be saying to defend themselves now, because no doubt they will rise up again with the words ‘sook’, ‘attention seeker’, ‘flog’, ‘victim’ and ‘whinger’.  Adam Goodes has requested not to be considered for the AFL Players Association Madden Medal, an honour given to retiring players in recognition of contribution to the A.F.L. and the community, and an award he surely would have won had he been considered.[1] Is this because he’s a “bad” person, as so many of his critics seem to claim? Doubtful. Does it seem like this is him seeking attention? No, not really. Is this another stand for Indigenous issues that so many seem to take such serious issue with? No, again, race does not seem to have been mentioned by Adam. Does it seem like he’s doing his best to stay away from anything that might earn him more incredibly unjust disrespect and abuse from those who have bullied him into submission? Mm yes, yes it does. For those calling for the champion to “harden up” and cop his incessant abuse differently, (i.e. ignore it, pretend it’s not happening and act like the well behaved, non-confrontational indigenous man we want you to be) some words of wisdom from Adam Goodes’ and the Sydney Swans’ coach may cause an ounce of self-reflection in the wake of what this man has gone through:

“To those keyboard warriors out there who hide behind their computers to attack players, or those who choose to hide their spiteful voices amongst the crowd. To all those who shamefully kick players when they are down or vulnerable – before you act next time, please ask yourself – if this was my son, or my brother, or partner this abuse was being directed to – would it change the way I’m about to act?”

It’s easy enough for these Keyboard Warriors to give advice to a 35 year old man dealing with racial abuse, (and from many, yes, it has been racial abuse) from thousands and thousands of people, but even easier to forget that this issue will affect him in the same way it would affect your family or friends. In case anyone missed it, here is a sample of the reactions of keyboard warriors to Goodes’ quiet request not to be considered for the Madden Medal last week:

“Great footballer. But needs to get over himself. The victim card doesn’t get anyone anywhere”

“Who said they were even going to consider him anyway? Imagine an actor announcing that they don’t want to be considered for a gold logie.they’d have tickets on themself.”

“What an absolute sook – he’s milking this booing bullshit for as long as he can because its keeping him on the front page.”

“Actually the reality of the situation is that some people, just flat out don’t like Adam. Not helped by his ‘Jesus nailed at the cross, aren’t I the martyr?’ demeanour.”

“Your final award from the AFL should be ” sook of the year””

Yep….Racism is alive and well today. Whether or not we want to admit it. And it’s a guarantee we do not.

P.F.

[1] http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/07/adam-goodes-asks-not-to-be-considered-for-afls-prestigious-madden-medal