Caro on Goodes

[chammond]

It possibly - nay, probably - will, but have faith. In the longer term his actions will be judged favourably. I am confident of that.

Yes, Liz, I've got no doubt that Goodes' legacy will be that, in the long term, the whole saga will be seen as a watershed in Australian race relations. Fifty years from now his name will be as revered as Eddie Mabo, and the image of his "war dance" will be as iconic as the pic of Winmar taunting the crowd with his skin-colour. I just hope he returns to the AFL fold and forces them to confront the insidious racism that taints the game.

The idea that Winmar and Long were "revered" for the stands they took is cynically revisionist. I lived through that period, and my impression matched McAlister's: the AFL was, and still is, only interested in indigenous "Uncle Toms".

[Danzar]

Reading the article reminds me of the great anger and disgust I felt at the time. I have zero tolerance for those who suggested that there were other factors associated with the booing. It was pure 100% nasty, disrespectful racism.

My biggest regret in 2015 was not to stand up to those I knew personally such as some of my Western Australian in-laws, several of whom were attacking Adam and defending the booing. 2015 was personally a very emotional year for me, my beloved wife, (who was also my mother-in-law?s daughter), died in the June. Perhaps it was wise to then keep my counsel and remain diplomatic with the WA members of her family. Emotions were very raw.

Now in 2018 I cannot no longer sustain such expressions of calm tolerance. If the subject is raised again I will not hold back. Adam Goodes is a great Australian, a worthy Australian of the Year. The AFL as well as the Hawthorn and West Coast Football Clubs should hang their heads in deep shame for their pathetic inaction in 2015. ,

Sad to hear this, we can easily overlook the possibility that at any time, one of us could be going through a lot of pain. Hope you?re good Top40.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stevoswan]

Waleed Aly will be interviewing Adam on The Project tonight on what he has been up to since retiring......I'm sure they will touch on the booing as well, maybe not but it should be good viewing.

[barry]

Its sad that the booing is what goodes is most famous for( outside footy circles)

[stevoswan]

It will be good for the public record if these documentaries turn out to be quality pieces of investigative journalism with thoughtful, detailed commentary of the horrors that unfolded. Much like the SBS series "Go Back where you came from", it may change some people's opinions.

I'd like to be optimistic. However, I mostly fear it will also unleash a new round of vitriolic vituperation against Adam.

I don't know if I can cope with having to hear all those false claims again that the great man is worth booing, that he is a cheat, a stager, a child abuser, an over-rated whinger who abused his undeserved position as Australian of the Year to bring attention to himself through race politics. None of which is supported in any manner by fact.

The man is a rock, so, I am sure he can retain peace in the warm, reverential embrace of the Swans family and focus on making a difference through his wonderful work with the GO Foundation. However, as much as I'd love it to be different - by any measure he deserves to be stationed in the highest echelons of the game - I can't see a road back to the broad AFL hearth for him.

While there are some non-Swans supporters who are as appalled as anyone at his treatment, haters - and there are plenty of them - are gunna hate for evermore.

Unfortunately, even in 10, 20 or 30 years time if/when he pops his head up, some Gopher hunter is going to whack him with a wooden mallet. That's Straya for ya. Someone please tell me I'm wrong.

Sorry for the downer tone of this post but this one still hurts me big time.

I fear you are 100% correct Swansongster......Bogan Australians with an 'axe' to grind are a stubbornly dumb bunch.