Goodes and booing

[Ludwig]

It would be very sad if an aboriginal player were forced out of the game due to racism.

When I made this statement yesterday, I didn't really think it would come to this, but now it has. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for young Indigenous Australians to see such abusive treatment of their leaders and sports icons. There must be a veil of hopelessness dropping like a cloud over their community. It must undo so much of the good work Adam and Micky are doing with their GO organisation. What's the real lesson here for Native Australians: With hard work you can make it to the top of your profession, but you'll still be treated like a dog.

I'm too upset to be angry. Just so so sad.

[jono2707]

What makes me sad are the multitudes of posts on social media still blaming Adam for this shameful situation, calling him a 'bully' and a 'sook' etc. I thought we were better than this but apparently this country is still being dragged down by this sort of thinking.

I know it's only a minority but they're vocal and shameless and they give us an indication of how far we still have to go.

I hope Adam plays on Saturday as I'll cheer myself hoarse every time he goes near the ball.

[i'm-uninformed2]

When I made this statement yesterday, I didn't really think it would come to this, but now it has. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for young Indigenous Australians to see such abusive treatment of their leaders and sports icons. There must be a veil of hopelessness dropping like a cloud over their community. It must undo so much of the good work Adam and Micky are doing with their GO organisation. What's the real lesson here for Native Australians: With hard work you can make it to the top of your profession, but you'll still be treated like a dog.

I'm too upset to be angry. Just so so sad.

This is a cracking point.

Harley was asked at his press conference about other indigenous players supporting Adam and his answer, in effect was: if someone who's won two Brownlows, played 350+ games, and a great of the game is getting treated this way, do you really think they are going to want to stick their heads up??

And this is what the KKK-ers will never get - the message they are sending to the entire indigenous community.

This of course also makes Lewis' stand even more remarkable, and more power to him.

[annew]

When I made this statement yesterday, I didn't really think it would come to this, but now it has. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for young Indigenous Australians to see such abusive treatment of their leaders and sports icons. There must be a veil of hopelessness dropping like a cloud over their community. It must undo so much of the good work Adam and Micky are doing with their GO organisation. What's the real lesson here for Native Australians: With hard work you can make it to the top of your profession, but you'll still be treated like a dog.

I'm too upset to be angry. Just so so sad.

I am both angry and sad. I am angry that some people including some commentators do not realise that whilst maybe not all the booing at Adam Goodes is racist there is definitely a racist element to it all. I am sad that I live in a country in 2015 where racism is well and truly alive. People are so ignorant they do not even realise they are being racist.

Of all the articles written this one really summed it up in my opinion.

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

[Doctor]

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.

It's an excellent, well-argued article but the people who need to hear it won't read it, and those who do will dismiss it as "leftie PC crap" in all likelihood. Noone is listening to anyone any more, they just shout over the top of each other and logic, reason and rational argument doesn't enter into it. There's no accepting that sometimes there IS a right and wrong and that they might be on the wrong side.

[annew]

It's an excellent, well-argued article but the people who need to hear it won't read it, and those who do will dismiss it as "leftie PC crap" in all likelihood. Noone is listening to anyone any more, they just shout over the top of each other and logic, reason and rational argument doesn't enter into it. There's no accepting that sometimes there IS a right and wrong and that they might be on the wrong side.

Well said

[kangle4]

One thing Australians do best is cut other people down and they're loving this at the moment.

The booing has gotten to the point where most don't even know why they're doing it and are just jumping on the moron bandwagon to have a laugh.

I really hope Goodes plays this week and doesn't give the idiots anymore ammunition to use against him.

Sadly this won't end until he retires but what would be nice is if aboriginal players from other clubs stood up and backed what Goodes has said on their behalf in the past but I can only assume they're too afraid to now and don't want the same treatment Goodes is getting.

[goswannies]

Ok, I've gotta weigh-in. There are too many idiots in football circles (maybe the world). Some are racist. Most are simply too stupid to be allowed to procreate.
Most people at my work know I'm a passionate Swans supporter. Over the last couple of weeks, they've been asking me about the Goodes booing issue. Today, after it was announced Goodsey was taking personal time, these normally nice people turned feral in their criticism. But most of them had no idea why they or others so venomously jeer Adam. All I can say is "if you walk up to within 3 feet off Goodsey, verbally criticise him & boo him to his face ... do that & I will give more respect you you opinions. Until then you're another sheep, another anonymous face in the crowd".
Then on 5AA sports talkback radio driving home, the idiotic Adelaide public have been going to town, relentlessly criticising Adam. Stephen Rowe (yes you foolish little man, I'm outing you!) - one of the radio hosts - initially indicated it was not unacceptable. Thank goodness for Mark Bickley, the voice of reason on that program. Usually, this show is so biased on SA related stuff. So far it's been an hour and a half about Goodsey.
The boo-ers are pathetic, bullies! If it's racism it's wrong. If they don't like the way he plays, get over it. Everyone has their own gamestyle. That's how he is. Goodsey has achieved it all. Adam has probably made enough money to retire. He has no NEED to play on. He does it because he loves the game. Why would he bother going on when unrelenting bigots make his working life miserable?
His form has been good enough recently to probably go around again, he still has a role in the side based on form. But he will most likely be lost to the game because of the disgraceful behaviour of too many feral bigots.
I am disgusted with the boo-ers & also those who are indifferent to this situation. Shame. Shame. Shame.

[Doctor]

He's taking time off because he's hurt. That seems so simple to me I just don't understand why people don't understand it. You boo him relentlessly, he feels it's race based (he's right), he's hurt and needs space and now he gets pilloried for that too? People are (insert expletive) idiots.

I hope he plays on Saturday so we can all show him how much we love him. It would be so sad if he didn't, but I could understand it.

[annew]

He's taking time off because he's hurt. That seems so simple to me I just don't understand why people don't understand it. You boo him relentlessly, he feels it's race based (he's right), he's hurt and needs space and now he gets pilloried for that too? People are (insert expletive) idiots.

I hope he plays on Saturday so we can all show him how much we love him. It would be so sad if he didn't, but I could understand it.

It is frustrating, you just hope that this educates 1 person to think differently.

[Industrial Fan]

Wow. Cant believe it has come to the point where he needs some time away.

What a shame to think our time to appreciate him has been potentially cut short by bigots. Even if it is just for one game, that stinks.

[magic.merkin]

Imagine if this public bullying led to him self harming in some way (shudder to think, and I'm sure he has all the support he deserves and needs!). I'd be sickened by the joy the minority would take and saddened more-so by the shock and confusion for the rest of the ignorant mouth breathers who have just piled on. People need to realize the damage they can cause.

I'm really disappointed in the vast majority of Australians who I've encountered online and via tv/radio on this subject.

[Plugger46]

Staggering that it's taken this long for the great dud Gill to take action.

[goswannies]

I can't understand the ignorance of some people.

On 5AA callers have said he bullied at 13 year old girl. My understanding of event were that someone yelled a derogatory racially vilifying term, he stopped & pointed to the general area when the vitriol emanated from & it just so happened to be a 13 year old girl. He expressed his dismay that a 13 year old would say such a thing without knowing why it was offensive; he personally talked to her & she now understands. It was handled with class.
Until Eddie, who weeks earlier feigned concern about the incident, then ... on national radio ... jests that Adam should be promoting King Kong. Blatant passive racism.

Fast forward, Adam has been promoting racial awareness & tolerance. He's recognised with an Australian of the Year nomination. He didn't nominate himself. His good work evidently ultimately warranted the accolade. He makes comments about racism. Now these 5AA listeners are saying some of them boo him because of his public social stance. Really?! He is awarded an honour for a reason & now you don't want him to discuss that reason?! Rosemary Batty is awarded Australian of the year for her stance against violence children, should she not use it as a platform to promote her cause? Did they expect Fred Hollows to stop his altruistic eye surgery when his honor was bestowed on him?

The majority of the public simply have no idea.

[Rod_]

According to Dermie, Goodes needs to review his on-field antics and work out what he can do to change his theatrics.

What an absolute flog. I can't believe what comes out of his mouth.

My comments to this part.

Some stages of Adam's games, a while back he was looking for frees, more that chasing hard after the ball. I concede it did not look good. (Like what Richo used to do late in his career with the tigers... btw) and I would boo either of them for this type of play. This type of booing is footy booing - I consider this acceptable

Unfortunately this has grown into a monster. Dermie has missed the boat on this one and it is time to keep your head down..

So Goodsy was initially booed for his play, then booed for the tall poppy syndrome and manifested into booing his race. Not good form to boo race in my opinion.

I boo umpires, and I jeer some players to try and put them off. I have also accused Goodsy as being useless in a very respectful way for some of the games he has played... (Essendon late in the season when he missed the goal 2011 I think... I had a lot of compliments for our play and complaints that night... bugger comes to mind)

This is a Hydra. Every time someone cuts its head off, another 2 will grow.

As for Dermie - he is now employed to sells stories.. I would suggest he is feeding the self propelling pile of boo dust! Boo on Dermie! (and I would consider this to be acceptable booing also)

So we are being told not to boo at the footy.. (Hmmm Code of supporting conducts will be the next thing... Wonder if Collingwood will be allowed to play at all... or have any spectators attend the game.. Joke people LOL) We won't need umpires if we can't boo them...

For goodness sake it is footy. enjoy it, on or off the paddock.

Bring back the boo! and we haven't even lost it yet!


Rod_