Booing of Adam Goodes by fans of Melbourne clubs

[Puppy Eyes]

I think it's probably racist, but not so much an overt racism. They're clearly not booing him because they hate Aborigines. But they do hate THAT Aborigine.

If Goodes played for another side, he'd irritate me for his speechmaking and to a lesser extent for his staging. I think that, especially since Leigh Matthews called Goodes a "protected species", people feel they have a license to boo a blackfella. In an environment where so much of what is said gets interpreted as racist, sexist, homophobic or whatever, this license provides an outlet for otherwise suppressed opinions. Subconsciously people are thinking, "Well he gives me the @@@@s and what's more, he's a blackfella I'm allowed to boo, so I'm giving it my all."

It doesn't make it right, but a learning from it could be that the AFL realise that people might be getting a bit tired of being lectured to when they're at the footy. Women's round, indigenous round, whatever they're calling the gay round. All worthy causes, but I'm just paying my money to watch my team hopefully win and to let off some steam for a couple of hours. Do I really need to be educated on the latest social issue in my rare time off?

[Adelaide Swan]

Booing of Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes disappointing, says Indigenous icon Michael Long

Michael Long says he is disappointed Adam Goodes was jeered during Sydney's win over Hawthorn on Saturday night and believes people should show respect for the Swans veteran as a "great Australian".

[bodgie]

Yes Puppy, I wouldna thought football was a great place for social causes. A game is the survival and domination of the best over the weakest. A place where we love and cheer our heroes, and the flip side is villains and rivals. Thats not how I would expect how our society should function. Sponsors, flashing signage, contrived meanings, causes and media training diminish each individual game and player.

That said players need to be respected. At the port game some people around me laughed when Franklin had his head rammed into the fence. A bit of initial booing of Goodes or whoever aint so bad if it doesn't get boorish and go on all match. Which it does.

[Untamed Snark]

Adam Zwar has started a # in Twitter #cheerforgoodes

Adam Zwar on Twitter: "If you think Adam Goodes is a legend of the game (and I do), maybe it's time to tell your voice. #CheerForGoodes"

So far people are responding appropriately

[DamY]

Adam Zwar has started a # in Twitter #cheerforgoodes

Adam Zwar on Twitter: "If you think Adam Goodes is a legend of the game (and I do), maybe it's time to tell your voice. #CheerForGoodes"

So far people are responding appropriately

If I was going to the game (Uni assignment due next week), then I would have brought a vuvuzela to cheer extra loud for him!

[bodgie]

Don't get me started on vuvuzelas!

[Doctor]

I was saying Booo-urns.

[rojo]

Sorry in advance that this is a bit of an essay. I wrote it in response to all the atrocious, vitriolic posts about Adam on the Daily Telegraph's comments page (I was so horrified) but it was too long to post! Hopefully there is a RWOer out there who has the time and fortitude to plough through!

I cannot believe how ignorant and disrespectful people can be. Adam Goodes is passionate about being aboriginal because all his life, up until the last few years he has not had much of a family outside the Swans footy family. His mother was one of the stolen generation and he grew up not knowing who he was or where he came from. He was taunted at school by the white kids because he was 'aboriginal' and he wasn't accepted by the 'true' aboriginals because he was too much of a 'whitey'. It is only recently that records have been searched or become available for him to find out about his aboriginal identity and heritage. About the same time, a program at the Swans had every player engaging in some sort of study outside of footy and he chose to do Aboriginal studies. This opened his eyes for the first time to aspects of Aboriginal history that are not taught in schools.

When a 13 year old girl, at a football match celebrating the contribution of Aboriginal players to AFL, called Adam 'an ape', yes, she was ignorant, but for Adam it must have felt like nothing had changed in 25-30 years. He had assumed it had - wrongly it must have seemed.. It must have felt as though he was a kid back in the playground. In those days his mother had taught him not to retaliate, just to wear it. This time he stopped and pointed the girl out. Did he know she was 13 years old? No. Did he ask the police or whoever to remove her from the stadium, alone? No. Did he in that split second of reaction want to make her an example? No. It is just a repeat of history. We make all sorts of excuses to disguise our racist attitudes. Adam is singled out as a 'dirty player' in a way that other players who play in a similar way are not singled out, because it is not politically correct to label him a 'dirty aboriginal'. He's labelled as a 'sook' because he wants it to be different if he ever has kids. When the media comes to him for his opinion he says it how he sees it ? how dare he do that!

Many of the other Aboriginal players have grown up in large Aboriginal clan-like families, eg the Riolis, the Jettas, the Longs, the Wirrpandas. Adam Goodes has walked a very different pathway. I admire him greatly and the choice of him as Australian of the year as well. I understand the reasons for his recent 'militarism' and wanting to be a voice for aboriginal rights even if it seems a bit over the top. For I am aware that my ancestors settled on former aboriginal lands but used to think - well its nothing to do with me, so get over it you whinging abos. But as I have looked on at all the battles and put downs that Adam has had to contend with these past two years I have tried to put myself in his shoes a little. I would not just be sad or disappointed - I would be angry, very, very angry. Angry at still being seen as an easy target for people, not so much face to face these days, but from the anonimity of a footy stand or social media, who feel the need to put an aboriginal player who dares put his head up, back in his box. So brave Hawks fans!

From Adam Goodes I have learned a little about the pain and struggle it can be for some people who have to live and operate between 2 cultures where no matter what you do or how successful you become, you always have to look over your shoulder for the Eddie Maguire?s, 13 year old school girls, and gutless footy fans of this world. After a life time of it, I would have ?snapped? a long time ago. Sure, he is not the Nick Riewoldt type of nice guy, even the affable and handsome Buddy, and he does have some annoying little traits but he has got to where he has by determination and hard work.

I so hope all you Swans fans have success in applauding everything he does if you are at the game on Friday night. It would be good for him to feel appreciated at least at home base.

[Conor_Dillon]

Well said!

[jono2707]

Well said. Thanks

[dimelb]

I never mind "a bit of an essay" when it is as cogent and heartfelt as this one.

[joemoore12]

Fantastic, Rojo. Well said.

[Adelaide Swan]

One of the best posts I have ever read, Well said Rojo.

[Margo]

Thanks for this post. I for one will definitely cheer for him tomorrow night. Cannot wait.

[Untamed Snark]

Really well written Rojo
Have you tried forwarding it to some of the footy journos? Maybe they can have it submitted as an opinion piece