Goodes and booing

[Puppy Eyes]

It was, IMO, misconceived and in poor taste. It was also short lived. But it was in response to another club thinking they could fly into Sydney for a few games each year and win the hearts of the Sydney public. It was a response to them poking their toes into what the club perceived to be its exclusive territory. It was also 14 years ago.

Hard to see any reasonable link between that and something that has clearly become personal and vindictive, aimed at one particular player (even before you start to consider who that player is and examine what the motives behind the booing may - or may not - be).

It was more than that even. They were selling memberships and merchandise at our home games.

[mcsean]

I'm a big fan of Martin Flanagan's fairfax columns but have been disappointed in his recent articles on Goodesy. They've been soft, overly concerned with the war dance being aimed at the crowd (had a crack at Lewis Jetta's dance too) even comparing Goodes to Malcolm X vs Michael Long as Martin Luther King and not declaring his own view on whether the booing has been racist. His writing on indigenous issues has been brilliant in the past and I'm pretty sure he wrote about Captain Kirk in South Africa a while back. I just reckon he needed to be a strong supporter of Goodes at a difficult time but, along with so many others, he went missing.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I'm a big fan of Martin Flanagan's fairfax columns but have been disappointed in his recent articles on Goodesy. They've been soft, overly concerned with the war dance being aimed at the crowd (had a crack at Lewis Jetta's dance too) even comparing Goodes to Malcolm X vs Michael Long as Martin Luther King and not declaring his own view on whether the booing has been racist. His writing on indigenous issues has been brilliant in the past and I'm pretty sure he wrote about Captain Kirk in South Africa a while back. I just reckon he needed to be a strong supporter of Goodes at a difficult time but, along with so many others, he went missing.

I read his articles to, and I see what your saying. The fact is though, he didn't 'need' to be anything. He has his opinion on how perhaps Goodes could've handled some things differently, and there's no right or wrong answer about that. You can agree that part of the booing is racially motivated, and disagree with The way Goodes directed his dance at Carlton supporters. The same way some people can have no problem at all with Goodes' dance, yet also deny that any of the booing is racist. It's a complex issue. From memory the article mentioned Chris Lewis was always prepared to 'meet people halfway'. If both sides of this debate were prepared to do that, at least to some extent, I think that would be a good thing. An acceptance from all sides that there is definitely an element of racism involved would be a good start. The size of that element is certainly debatable. Instead we have most Goodes supporters claiming all Goodes detractors are Racists ( which is IMO ridiculous) , and Most Goodes detractors arguing that none of them are Racist ( even more ridiculous). I'm a Goodes supporter. I applaud Adam for starting this debate. However, The lines have been drawn now and neither side is willing to concede any ground. I don't think the debate, or any positive outcomes born from it, can really move forward until that happens.

[mcsean]

Melbourne_Blood, I like your argument that Flanagan didn't 'need' to be anything and his Chris Lewis article was mostly solid. Also, of course he's free to to hold the view that the dance shouldn't have directed at Carlton fans but I think he's wrong. He claims the dance was like the Haka and should've been directed at the opposing players. Goodesy spoke eloquently about that, including the point the dance was a one off for indigenous round. I'll take Goodes' view of what his own intentions were. It was not, and never will be, the Haka. Flanagan says something about young men doing war dances not going to ease the tension. Just as well Lewis Jetta didn't take that view. Standing up for his mate by challenging west coast fans brought about last week's catharsis. And what about his comparison of the good guy Michael Long (Martin Luther King) vs the difficult and prickly Goodes (Malcolm X)? Ridiculous on so many levels and Flanagan deserves to be challenged on it. Neither does Flanagan need to appease the haters in my view. As you say, there is no question about the racist element, so I'm not sure who he's trying to meet half way. Flanagan usually fights the good fight and I really enjoy his work. Not on the Goodes issue though.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Melbourne_Blood, I like your argument that Flanagan didn't 'need' to be anything and his Chris Lewis article was mostly solid. Also, of course he's free to to hold the view that the dance shouldn't have directed at Carlton fans but I think he's wrong. He claims the dance was like the Haka and should've been directed at the opposing players. Goodesy spoke eloquently about that, including the point the dance was a one off for indigenous round. I'll take Goodes' view of what his own intentions were. It was not, and never will be, the Haka. Flanagan says something about young men doing war dances not going to ease the tension. Just as well Lewis Jetta didn't take that view. Standing up for his mate by challenging west coast fans brought about last week's catharsis. And what about his comparison of the good guy Michael Long (Martin Luther King) vs the difficult and prickly Goodes (Malcolm X)? Ridiculous on so many levels and Flanagan deserves to be challenged on it. Neither does Flanagan need to appease the haters in my view. As you say, there is no question about the racist element, so I'm not sure who he's trying to meet half way. Flanagan usually fights the good fight and I really enjoy his work. Not on the Goodes issue though.

Your points are all good ones. I think the point I was trying to make ( which doesn't necessarily relate to the Flanagan article) about 'meeting halfway' was that I think the blanket labelling of all Goodes detractors as Racists has the potential to compromise future debates on such issues. One side is shouting " it has everything to with race" while the other side shouts " it has nothing to do with race". Where does the truth lie?

[mcsean]

Your points are all good ones. I think the point I was trying to make ( which doesn't necessarily relate to the Flanagan article) about 'meeting halfway' was that I think the blanket labelling of all Goodes detractors as Racists has the potential to compromise future debates on such issues. One side is shouting " it has everything to with race" while the other side shouts " it has nothing to do with race". Where does the truth lie?

Yeah, fair enough.

[jono2707]

It was, IMO, misconceived and in poor taste. It was also short lived. But it was in response to another club thinking they could fly into Sydney for a few games each year and win the hearts of the Sydney public. It was a response to them poking their toes into what the club perceived to be its exclusive territory. It was also 14 years ago.

Hard to see any reasonable link between that and something that has clearly become personal and vindictive, aimed at one particular player (even before you start to consider who that player is and examine what the motives behind the booing may - or may not - be).

Thanks and yes - I recall it was short-lived but in response to a real threat posed by the Kangaroos, who were at that time looking at relocation options. but I don't think we were too comfortable with the club running a booing campaign at the time, even if it was somewhat tongue in cheek.

[AnnieH]

Thanks and yes - I recall it was short-lived but in response to a real threat posed by the Kangaroos, who were at that time looking at relocation options. but I don't think we were too comfortable with the club running a booing campaign at the time, even if it was somewhat tongue in cheek.

I was.
Best. Campaign. Ever.
Worked a treat, it did!!
Shinboners went home with their tails between their legs.
I STILL don't want a second team in Sydney.

[mcsquirta]

It's great to see some people's way of dealing with the potted ignorance of racism.

Sydney Swans Adam Goodes' Imaginary Spear | eBay

[Untamed Snark]

It's great to see some people's way of dealing with the potted ignorance of racism.

Sydney Swans Adam Goodes' Imaginary Spear | eBay

That is fantastic
And someone bid on it!

[rb4x]

Or you can buy this one

Jettas Imaginary Spear | eBay

[AnnieH]

Gold.

[dejavoodoo44]

Actually, I think that I might buy Goodesy's imaginary spear. But since I'm a generous guy, I might send it off to Andrew Bolt: with detailed instructions on how it can be inserted. Maybe a diagram or two.

[Untamed Snark]

Geelong and Sydney to make show of unity on Adam Goodes' return

The teams will run out together under one banner on Saturday
Wonder what song they will play?

[ScottH]

Actually, I think that I might buy Goodesy's imaginary spear. But since I'm a generous guy, I might send it off to Andrew Bolt: with detailed instructions on how it can be inserted. Maybe a diagram or two.

LOL.
Then tell him it's actually an imaginary boomerang, not a spear.