Goodes and booing

[i'm-uninformed2]

It is going to take something dramatic, for certain.

Apparently, the buffoon who got ejected for screaming at Adam to 'get back to the zoo' reckons it's all PC madness and he was the one who felt humiliated. That's the logic of what we're dealing with.

No Cookies | Herald Sun

[Ludwig]

Let them boo.
Keep talking loud and proud Adam.
Stand there and tell them racism should stop... until it has.
One day, Adam Goodes will be the name that changed Australia and it's racist attitude.
He'll do more for Indigenous relations than anyone who has gone before him.
I wait for that day.

You're right Annie, in respect to Adam, but if we just let them boo it's condoning racial vilification. It's a matter of whether the AFL and the nation as whole want to allow using Adam as cover for public expression of racism. We all know it's there, but it's just such an ugly look.

I honestly don't know where it all leads to. I look to America and see that regardless of all the cold blooded police murders of African Americans and all the publicity it gets, it just goes on as if nothing has happened.

Could you just imagine the fans booing Nick Riewoldt because he made such a big issue about a rare disease that unfortunately afflicted his sister. And the fans justifying it by saying he's drawing attention to himself and his own little personal grief. Why should we be spending our beer money on something that's very unlikely to affect me. Or Neil Daniher's fundraising for motor neuron disease that captured the headlines for several weeks. What's the problem with Adam drawing attention to the far greater problems of deaths and poverty in his community due to poor health care, disenfranchisement, mistreatment in custody and lack of fair opportunity.

Everyone else can cry out 'help me, help me.' But if a black person does it, we say 'shut up and get back in your box.' And if you don't, we'll let you know how we feel every time you get on a footy field.

[dejavoodoo44]

It is going to take something dramatic, for certain.

Apparently, the buffoon who got ejected for screaming at Adam to 'get back to the zoo' reckons it's all PC madness and he was the one who felt humiliated. That's the logic of what we're dealing with.

No Cookies | Herald Sun

Yes, and that sort of 'logic' is constantly encouraged by all the rightard opinion formers, who have been given their own newspaper columns, TV spots, or talkback radio programs. Or in Andrew Bolt's case, all of the above. That is, they spend much of their time attacking minorities from the comfort of their bully pulpits, but as soon as a significant number of people start to criticise their obnoxious opinions, it's 'help, help, I'm being oppressed'.

[Kumarangk]

We like to think that our country is easy going and subscribes to the fair go attitude in life. The booing is not a reaction to being told what not to do ( our rebellion against authority !! ) but clearly a avenue for bonehead bogans to vent their racial ideology. We like to portray a image of tolerance but once someone like Goods basically stands up for himself and his race these people want him to be put back into his place.

What's worse for me is not just the idiots booing but the simple lemmings that boo because it's the thing to do. This story is far from over and could end very well or very bad.

[Faunac8]

[QUOTE=chrispy2808;677757]Thats exactly what I'm doing!
This is a forum isn't it![/QUOTE
Opinion or accusation? Are you sure you read what you wrote?

[neilfws]

Another well-argued case against the boos:

Adam Goodes: why his critics' arguments just don't stack up | Russell Jackson | Sport | The Guardian

Would love to see a walk-off next time this happens. The lack of empathy displayed by some people is just stunning. It's just become all about "my right to boo." Pathetic.

[bloodspirit]

You're right Annie, in respect to Adam, but if we just let them boo it's condoning racial vilification. It's a matter of whether the AFL and the nation as whole want to allow using Adam as cover for public expression of racism. We all know it's there, but it's just such an ugly look.

I honestly don't know where it all leads to. I look to America and see that regardless of all the cold blooded police murders of African Americans and all the publicity it gets, it just goes on as if nothing has happened.

Could you just imagine the fans booing Nick Riewoldt because he made such a big issue about a rare disease that unfortunately afflicted his sister. And the fans justifying it by saying he's drawing attention to himself and his own little personal grief. Why should we be spending our beer money on something that's very unlikely to affect me. Or Neil Daniher's fundraising for motor neuron disease that captured the headlines for several weeks. What's the problem with Adam drawing attention to the far greater problems of deaths and poverty in his community due to poor health care, disenfranchisement, mistreatment in custody and lack of fair opportunity.

Everyone else can cry out 'help me, help me.' But if a black person does it, we say 'shut up and get back in your box.' And if you don't, we'll let you know how we feel every time you get on a footy field.

I agree.

Also, there's no discomfort in being asked to care about MND or another medical condition. At best only a few dollars is being asked of us and no soul-searching or self-reflection. Whereas the impoverishment, disenfranchisement and systemic disadvantage of indigenous Australians requires us to face some awkward questions about our role and about what we could or should do about it.

[dejavoodoo44]

Another well-argued case against the boos:

Adam Goodes: why his critics' arguments just don't stack up | Russell Jackson | Sport | The Guardian

Would love to see a walk-off next time this happens. The lack of empathy displayed by some people is just stunning. It's just become all about "my right to boo." Pathetic.

Ta, Neil: I do like article that takes you systemically through the arguments and then insightfully tears those arguments to little bits.

[bloodspirit]

I agree. The booing is wrong but trying to fight the booing won't work. Never has and never will.

The worst thing Goodesy said was that he was hurt by the booing. Since then it has increased. Then he goes and does the war dance which only inflamed the situation. Every other player who gets boo'd, regardless of whether they like it or not, says that they like it and it Spurs them on. Goodesy needed to say that and it would have eventually died down.

I think it is good that Goodesy has said he is hurt by the booing. I think it is old school sentiment to never show pain or how you are feeling and disapprove if others do. I think that approach is the type of thing that can drive people to suicide instead of seeking help. It compounds the hurt because you feel ashamed of it that you can't speak about it. It is also unfair because it places the burden and the responsibility on the person being hurt not those doing the hurting. I think there is space for both to look at their own responsibility but certainly no cause to let off those doing the harm.

I think it is more courageous of Adam to reveal his vulnerability and it is desirable because if people have any empathy hopefully it will cause them to reconsider their actions. I imagine that some, maybe many, people who are booing him think it is harmless or at least underestimate the pain and hurt it causes. Revealing the impact reduces the scope for that 'sheep' type reaction and also gives less excuses to those who continue to boo.

I'm even impressed that Goodesy has such good awareness of his own feelings when many of us don't - I include myself to some degree.

[CureTheSane]

I agree on Buckley too. Shame he's at the club he's at. :-)

Me too.
There is this really uneasy squirmy feeling within me when I agree with what he says and he comes across as insightful and relevant.
Same thing happened with Matthew Lloyd - one of the best analysts around for me, and seems to be able to move through whatever biases he may have.

[Mr Magoo]

Ta, Neil: I do like article that takes you systemically through the arguments and then insightfully tears those arguments to little bits.

Plus one for me.

[dimelb]

Another well-argued case against the boos:

Adam Goodes: why his critics' arguments just don't stack up | Russell Jackson | Sport | The Guardian

Would love to see a walk-off next time this happens. The lack of empathy displayed by some people is just stunning. It's just become all about "my right to boo." Pathetic.

That is an excellent article, concise and trenchant.

[Jeynez]

Goodes now on indefinite leave.
This has gotten extremely ugly, and AFL would still rather tip-toe around the issue.

[rojo]

It would be great to be wrong but I don't think another team would leave the field on this issue because it seems that so many people just do not think that Indigenous people have anything to complain about, if they think about Indigenous people at all. They, we, are affronted when it is suggested that they actually, justifiably do. Many people, eg Gillon McLaughlin, as well as ordinary people like myself do not move in circles where we rub shoulders with Indigenous people apart from those who have learned to operate successfully in our 'society', eg many AFL footballers. So to us - what is the problem? Yes Adam what is your problem! We don't see any problem, what are you making a fuss about? Let's get on with life without this annoyance. The sort of reaction by many to the school-girl and Eddie Maguire racist remarks. Some media people and bloggers are still refusing to open their eyes a little wider. Great to see Roosy and Bucks at least who understand why Adam has made a stand and are showing their support.

Then we have those who live side by side with Indigenous people who do not cope well in our 'culture'. Often their perception is that Indigenous people are on the end of all these 'hand-outs' etc. that they don't deserve - but they can't be told to go back to where they came from, so what the heck, booing Adam Goodes is a really good way of showing our displeasure.

There are so many layers to this complex society issue. I just hope the right people continue to get around Adam and encourage him to stand firm and hold his ground. Maybe we could have a twitter support campaign to affirm to him that he has lots of supporters.

[The Big Cat]

Bloke rang SEN this morning and said the booing must stop and went on to say that will only happen when Goodes apologises! What sort of country am I now living in?

- - - Updated - - -

On a more positive note. Big Pow wow between AFL, Swans and AFLPA association today in Sydney and the Commission is meeting tonight. Geelong have already contacted the club about our next away game.