Booing of Adam Goodes by fans of Melbourne clubs

[ernie koala]

No matter what a person identifies as the 'reason', the force behind it is discrimination.

It's the same pathology that made Alan Jones feel that it was ok to discuss dropping Julia Guillard into the sea in a sack.

Racism. Homophobia. Mysogeny. Etc. These ugly realities are always masked by 'reasons'.

spot on

[liz]

I'm not a big fan of the AOTY award for many reasons, the main one being that we as a society single out one person who has supposedly done something of significantly greater value.

I don't see the AOTY as "an award" per se. Not as a reward for past achievements. Rather I see it as giving an official platform for someone to increase awareness within society of an issue of current relevance. There are many such issues that are worthy of such elevation in the public arena, which is why we see a variety of people given the opportunity across the years. Most of the recipients of the award already have a profile - it's not necessarily a pre-requisite but it helps in getting attention and therefore the opportunity to deliver their message. Furthermore, many who are strong achievers in their chosen area have developed the social skills - verbal eloquence, leadership for example - to assist them to make the most of this opportunity.

I see Adam as fulfilling all the relevant criteria and thus a very worthy holder of the title for a year. I think that arguing that there might be others who "deserve it more" kind of misses the point.

On the issue of the booing, it's not as simple as saying other indigenous players don't get booed, therefore its not because he's indigenous. For a sizeable number of booers, its hard to escape the supposition that it's because he has publicly and repeatedly taken a stand against racism. In the process, he's made some people feel uncomfortable about themselves. There was much discussion around the 13 year old girl incident. Many sympathised with the girl. I can understand that. But sympathising with the girl and understanding why Adam did what he did aren't mutually exclusive. Undoubtedly there were some football supporters who - for whatever reason - had decided they didn't like Adam prior to the incident. People point to his onfield "antics". I don't really buy this. There are plenty of other players whose onfield transgressions are far more frequent and aggressive than anything Goodes has ever done. But whatever the reason, some who had already decided they didn't like a man they'd never met have used the Collingwood game incident to justify and intensify their dislike for Adam.

There were a number of views expressed at the time (and since) that I still fail to really get. One of the most baffling was something along the lines of "I didn't know ape was a racist term, therefore I refuse to accept that ape is often used as a racist term even though its now been explained to me, and therefore I defend my right to continue to use the term, even in situations where I am now aware someone might interpret it as having racist overtones." Another was ""I have a basic human right to insult others, regardless of the impact it had on others. It's part of the Australian culture and everyone else should just grow a thicker skin and accept I have this right." This lives on in the right many seem to think they have to boo at sports events, even though (or maybe because) it comes across as churlish, childish and generally anti-social.

I just don't get booing in general. I don't understand why people want to go to a football game and expend their energy that way. Does it make them feel good about themselves? Is it fun? Do they think that those sitting around them will hear it and think what a swell chap they must be? My bewilderment applies whether the target is Adam Goodes, James Hird, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, or even just an opposition player who has made it fractionally late to a contest or made a split second error in judgement and has been reported, or maybe caused an injury, as a result.

[Hotpotato]

There should be an area set aside for people who wish to attend the Melbourne games and partake in booing Adam Goodes .
The Adam Goodes booing Bay .
Adam is highly visible and so should the booers be .
If they wish to be so bold as to boo Adam , let them be seen as he is .

Booers this way sir, non booers this way .
Have the balls to put your hands up and declare 'I'm an Adam booer and proud of it ."
That way we can see who you are too.
We know who Adam is and what he stands for , together with Nicky , Michael, Buddy etc ...

Let's see clearly who you are.

You could even be interviewed on FOX footy by the boundary riders.
"What are you booing Adam most about today Sir?"

Then they won't feel so neglected booing with anominity in amongst their booing mates and the non booers.

Surely these people have something more intelligent to say than just 'Boo ' .

[desredandwhite]

Some Stuff

And this is the reason why I don't post that often on RWO anymore. Eventually, Liz comes along and says what I'm thinking, but adds eloquence and better wordiness.

Adam Goodes challenges people and the way they think. They feel a bit guilty and they're outraged that they feel a bit guilty, so they use that as a basis for abusing him.

Well played, Goodsey. You'll never be universally liked, but you'll make a difference.

[dimelb]

I agree with most of what Liz says,especially on the way the AOTY seems to be awarded now. When it first came in I thought it was to be a way of recognising achievements other than sport, which is something of a national obsession. It turned out to be a wonderfully inclusive way of recognising all sorts and conditions of Australians. When you run down the list which you can do here: List of Australian of the Year Award recipients - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
there are some startling names that pop up; who recalls Alan Bond sharing it with Galarrwuy Yunupingu, for instance? Or Paul Hogan?

Sportspeople still feature, but they have to be exceptional - Olympic gold medallists or world champions in their sport. Adam's sporting achievements were being recognised, along with his leadership role in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It is what Teddy Roosevelt would have called "a bully pulpit" - and that seems to be a deliberate part of the process.

I agree too with what Liz says on the issue of booing Adam and the disingenuousness of those who exercise their right to be bigots.

But I reserve my right to boo Razor Ray if he reverts to his earlier form.

And I laughed at Hotpotato's suggestion. It's refreshing to see that even this contentious issue can be transformed by humour: well done.

[AnnieH]

There should be an area set aside for people who wish to attend the Melbourne games and partake in booing Adam Goodes .
The Adam Goodes booing Bay .
Adam is highly visible and so should the booers be .
If they wish to be so bold as to boo Adam , let them be seen as he is .

Booers this way sir, non booers this way .
Have the balls to put your hands up and declare 'I'm an Adam booer and proud of it ."
That way we can see who you are too.
We know who Adam is and what he stands for , together with Nicky , Michael, Buddy etc ...

Let's see clearly who you are.

You could even be interviewed on FOX footy by the boundary riders.
"What are you booing Adam most about today Sir?"

Then they won't feel so neglected booing with anominity in amongst their booing mates and the non booers.

Surely these people have something more intelligent to say than just 'Boo ' .

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Brilliant.

The only time that booing is acceptable is when it is directed at an opposition player trying to kick a goal.
My boo mocker is legendary .... 99.9% of the time, they miss. (Yes, I used a calculator to get that figure.)

[YvonneH]

[QUOTE=AnnieH;672083]
The only time that booing is acceptable is when it is directed at an opposition player trying to kick a goal.

Totally agree Annie. That is funny booing and not directed at any one person for individual reasons.

[jono2707]

I hope we all cheer loudly every time Goodsey gets the ball Friday. It's a great opportunity for us fans to show our support and to make a statement to Hawks fans and others that their behaviour is not acceptable.

[Swansongster]

I hope we all cheer loudly every time Goodsey gets the ball Friday. It's a great opportunity for us fans to show our support and to make a statement to Hawks fans and others that their behaviour is not acceptable.

I think that is an excellent idea. Every touch. A loud cheer. At the very least it will let Goodesy know that the Swans fans are right behind him and it will get the commentators talking about it

Another good idea that my partner raised is that at the North game in a few weeks, if the crowd boos (and I suspect they will), we (all Swans fans) should retort with a loud "Baa-aaa" (sheep) sound because that is what they are all really doing just following the mob.

[satchmopugdog]

I saw that Jordan Lewis of the Hawks has come out and said the booing has to stop. Well...you could have knocked me down with a feather...the player I find most disagreeable in the whole competition......he has now risen in my estimations. Go figure.

[snajik]

I personally believe that this trend has an underlying racial premise and to believe otherwise would be either disingenuous or delusional. It?s a crock of @@@@ to maintain that this is all about Goodesy feigning for free kicks. Sure he?s been guilty of it in the past but if this were the case the vitriol directed at Joel Selwood would be deafening. Allegedly he gets preferential treatment from the MRP. If this were true it doesn?t follow that this is something he could even control. Send the MRP an email if you are that concerned that their decisions are inconsistent. And why is being a racist punk acceptable when you are 13? My son would be in his room for a week if he behaved in that manner, and he?s only 10. Though I know that he would never do that because he respects other people. And don?t I love this ?toughen up, stop being so precious? mantra. After all who doesn?t have a problem with having 10,000+ people boo them when they turn up to work? Were you aware that he is considered overrated? Name me one club that wouldn?t jump at having him on their list? And really they just boo him because he is a champion. I would have thought that his best was behind him. Why is there not the same treatment dished out to Hannebery, Parker, JPK, Jack etc if its champions that we find so distasteful?

Now that I?ve expunged the negative side of the story from my system, I thought it was uplifting to read the emerging trend of constructive ideas that is appearing in this thread. I love the idea of drowning out the opposition toe-rags whenever Goodesy touches the ball with cries of ?Yes!? or ?Goodesy!? with as much vehemence as one using for a holding the ball ?Ball!? cry. Standing up to opposition fans who bring their shoulders full of chips along and their kitbag of ?rights?, summoning security where appropriate. This could be (and probably will be) Goodesy?s final year. It would be such a sad thing to see a true champion go out on a sour note thanks to these Hawthorn f wits and their like-minded allies such as Mcguire.

I too was heartened by Jordan Lewis? take on things last night (as I was with Robbo maintaining that it is unacceptable. I also thought you were a bit of a duffer Robbo, but you have a good heart). Jordan Lewis (who I have never admired) condemned the practice which would suggest that he leaves his competitive spirit out on the field. I?d like more than this though. I?d like to see Hodge take a stand being the captain, and also the Aboriginal boys from opposition clubs taking a stand, as well as other clubs generally. I?d like McVeigh/Jack and Hodge to come to an agreement about the Homebush game in July and any future fixtures between the two clubs that if the booing persists, the captains convene and march the players off the ground. Make this announcement prior to the game and follow through if it occurs. Ideally I?d like to see Hawthorn booted out of the league.

I?d like to see a cheer squad banner at the Homebush game in July that states something along the lines of ?Do we boo Burgoyne, Rioli and Hill? No. We Have Class.?

Adam Goodes is one of the greatest players to ever have played the game. He deserves so much better than what is what is happening currently. We need a campaign to right this ship.

[Adelaide Swan]

If it was really about him staging frees and being a "dirty player" why is it only in Victoria he gets a hot reception? I don't recall him getting a hot reception in Adelaide or Perth? I think it's got more to do with fans of Victorian clubs still living in the 1940's where this racist bollocks was acceptable.

[frankee]

"Gooooooooooooooooods" whenever he gets the ball would be awesome!

[CureTheSane]

I'm sure a fair percentage of those booing were doing so just to be a part of the crowd - going with the flow, and possibly didn't know why they were booking.
If a player was booed at a game I was at and I didn't know why, I would assume he had either done something untoward or scammed a free kick or something.
So I guess it speaks volumes about when and where to boo a player, if at all.
Only time I see as being obvious is when a player is having a shot at goal, as Annie said.

[snajik]

If it was really about him staging frees and being a "dirty player" why is it only in Victoria he gets a hot reception? I don't recall him getting a hot reception in Adelaide or Perth? I think it's got more to do with fans of Victorian clubs still living in the 1940's where this racist bollocks was acceptable.

Yes, sadly it seems to be happening in Melbourne as you say, but also Hawthorn seems to have a track record. In recent years there have been incidents of this nature featuring Hawthorn fans vilifying Majak Daw, Lindsay Thomas, Heretier Lumumba and Daniel Wells. There was even an episode where a Hawthorn fan vilified Buddy (then a Hawk). I remember Derek Kickett being abused by Hawk fans at the SCG in the early 90s. I can recall going as far back to the 70s and witnessing some of the most vile behaviour by Hawk fans directed at Vin Cattogio when he was with Carlton. (I suspect the progeny of these guys were at the MCG on Saturday night). Seems Hawthorn needs to clean up its act.