Goodes racially abused (merged thread)

[Chookbilly]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23321580-11088,00.html


In an article in todays Herald Sun, Goodes speaks about a time when he was racially abused by one of the AFL's most high profile players.

To read about how incensed Goodes was, makes you understand why Andrew Symonds took his incident further.
To be called a monkey is obviously very derogatory.

[BSA5]

I wonder who it was....

Anyway, good to see the system is working. Seems like one thing the AFL has got right.

[Mike_B]

Reading this

Goodes said the successful mediation allowed him to rebuild a working relationship with the opponent.

"I'd definitely say 'hello' and shake that person's hand," he said.

Goodes said he never would name either the player or his club.

"Mentioning the player or the club just goes to finger-pointing," he said.


just shows the quality of Adam Goodes as a person - that he was able to move on and also refuse to name anyone because it served no purpose says a lot. It really does go to show why he is such an appropriate person to be a prominent representative of the Aboriginal Community.

[AnnieH]

What a top bloke.
I love Goodesy.

If I ever find out who said it, I'm going to scratch their eyes out.

[AnnieH]

It wouldn't be Libba ... he liked Paul Kelly's balls so much he wanted to take them off him.

[floppinab]

This message has been deleted by Frog. Reason: Speculation - Please do not name players you think may have been the guilty party

A bit heavy handed Frog IMO. If Goodes is going to reveal this fact in a pretty important book and even go into the specifics of where and when and "high profile" the guilty party, the wider football community is going to do what I did in that post. i.e. look back through the records and speculate on who it might be. Surely we can do that on a forum like this. If the media get hold of this that's exactly what they will do, there'll be a list of candidates on the back page in the Hun within the next few days, you watch.

Clearly was not coming from a position where I had further inside information and revealed that which I agree would have been a step too far.

[Chow-Chicker]

A bit heavy handed Frog IMO. If Goodes is going to reveal this fact in a pretty important book and even go into the specifics of where and when and "high profile" the guilty party, the wider football community is going to do what I did in that post. i.e. look back through the records and speculate on who it might be. Surely we can do that on a forum like this. If the media get hold of this that's exactly what they will do, there'll be a list of candidates on the back page in the Hun within the next few days, you watch.

Clearly was not coming from a position where I had further inside information and revealed that which I agree would have been a step too far.
You can't go around naming players who you "think" might have said it.

[Frog]

If the media get hold of this that's exactly what they will do, there'll be a list of candidates on the back page in the Hun within the next few days, you watch.
I would be extremely happy for you to discuss those names if and when the Hun publishes them.

[The Boot]

Wow, the Frog flicks out the tongue and censors one of the moderators.

Scott H .. how DO you feel? GASP! QUELLE HORREURE!

But on a slightly related note, remember last year's allegations regarding a certain member of the media who was purported to like to party (sniff sniff)? Frenzied finger-pointing galore.

Names & noms-de-plume were bandied about ("Gerry Tiger" - still wetting myself over that one).

Guesses were not too wide of the mark .. in hindsight. We can now draw the strings together in light of a certain recently disgraced media player - rather adept at assaulting women (what a man!) ..

[Frog]

Wow, the Frog flicks out the tongue and censors one of the moderators.
The tongue is mightier than the sword ... ;)

[swantastic]

To be called a monkey is obviously very derogatory.Dont get me wrong i luv Goodsey and Simmo,but hey being called a monkey isnt that bad to me and they should just get over it.

As the saying goes.."sticks and stones shall break my bones but words will never hurt me"

If every body whinged when some one called them a name we would be sooking all the time.

[goswannie14]

Dont get me wrong i luv Goodsey and Simmo,but hey being called a monkey isnt that bad to me and they should just get over it.I haven't met you face to face, but I have a feeling you're not dark skinned.

[swantastic]

I haven't met you face to face, but I have a feeling you're not dark skinned.Your right i'm not,but i've got a good sun tan.:D

Its stuff said on the sporting field and that's where it should be left IMO.

If all this nonsense was from a black person to a white person do you actually think it would become a media and public out cry,i think not.

[goswannie14]

Its stuff said on the sporting field and that's where it should be left IMO.Not if it's racist.
If all this nonsense was from a black person to a white person do you actually think it would become a media and public out cry,i think not.The fact that an occurence such as you have described has not been in ther press would suggest, not that it has been ignored, but that it hasn't happened IMO.

[swantastic]

Not if it's racist.The fact that an occurence such as you have described has not been in ther press would suggest, not that it has been ignored, but that it hasn't happened IMO.C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person.

It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all.

A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.

[TheGrimReaper]

C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person.

It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all.

A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.

You're white? :eek: What are the odds on that! :confused:

[goswannie14]

C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person. I thought we were talking about this in the context of the AFL.
It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all. see above comment
A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.Are you saying that streaker last night called Symonds a monkey?:D

[AnnieH]

C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person.

It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all.

A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.

What did they call you ... whitety?

[swantastic]

I thought we were talking about this in the context of the AFL. see above commentAre you saying that streaker last night called Symonds a monkey?:DIt doenst matter what sport gs14 it still happens.

Very clever GS14.:D

[swantastic]

What did they call you ... whitety?Yep and other stuff too.

[TheGrimReaper]

Yep and other stuff too.

There, there. Grim is here to comfort you mate. ;)

[BSA5]

C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person.

It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all.

A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.

Swantastic, nobody is saying that it hasn't happened to white people. However, a white person calling a black person a "monkey", given the context in which it occurred, is significantly worse than a black person calling a white person "whitey". Why? Because racially abusing an aboriginal carries the weight of history and power. There is a history of racism, and associated with that racism are years of mistreatment, discrimination and wrongdoings. Also, white people are the majority, and have the most money and power. These factors give white-to-black racism more power, and as such, it does more damage. All things being equal, one would be just as bad as the other, but all things aren't equal, which is why more emphasis is placed on getting rid of racism against Aboriginals. I'm not saying that racism against white people isn't bad, just that due to the historical and political context we are in, racism against black people has more weight.

[connolly]

Swantastic, nobody is saying that it hasn't happened to white people. However, a white person calling a black person a "monkey", given the context in which it occurred, is significantly worse than a black person calling a white person "whitey". Why? Because racially abusing an aboriginal carries the weight of history and power. There is a history of racism, and associated with that racism are years of mistreatment, discrimination and wrongdoings. Also, white people are the majority, and have the most money and power. These factors give white-to-black racism more power, and as such, it does more damage. All things being equal, one would be just as bad as the other, but all things aren't equal, which is why more emphasis is placed on getting rid of racism against Aboriginals. I'm not saying that racism against white people isn't bad, just that due to the historical and political context we are in, racism against black people has more weight.

Well said.

[swantastic]

Swantastic, nobody is saying that it hasn't happened to white people. However, a white person calling a black person a "monkey", given the context in which it occurred, is significantly worse than a black person calling a white person "whitey". Why? Because racially abusing an aboriginal carries the weight of history and power. There is a history of racism, and associated with that racism are years of mistreatment, discrimination and wrongdoings. Also, white people are the majority, and have the most money and power. These factors give white-to-black racism more power, and as such, it does more damage. All things being equal, one would be just as bad as the other, but all things aren't equal, which is why more emphasis is placed on getting rid of racism against Aboriginals. I'm not saying that racism against white people isn't bad, just that due to the historical and political context we are in, racism against black people has more weight.It shouldnt matter either way,but thats just my opinion.

[swantastic]

There, there. Grim is here to comfort you mate. ;)Thanks i needed that.

[TheGrimReaper]

Thanks i needed that.

Just watch the video that Grimmy posted, and it will make you feel all better. ;)

[bedford]

does the player play for port adeliade?

[BSA5]

It shouldnt matter either way,but thats just my opinion.

All things being equal, it doesn't matter. But all things aren't equal. Racist comments don't just carry their own meaning. They carry connotations and implications, which are defined by the context. In Australia, the context means that on top of the racist comment by itself, anti-Aboriginal racism carries a @@@@load of extra weight, which anti-White racism simply doesn't have. Call me a Postmodernist, but you can't look at racist comments (or anything, for that matter) in isolation from their context.

[floppinab]

C'mon GS 14 your kidding your self if you think it hasnt happend to a white person.

It happend to me for years playing soccer,and it hasnt scarred me at all.

A good way to get them back is hit them hard but fair.

Your one of the lucky ones st if it hasn't effected you. I've seen it happen on the field far too much in junior and senior football in Sydney and I know how much of an impact it can have on young players, black or of any race. In the long term, sure maybe they learn to live with it, but on game day it has a huge impact and they shouldn't have to live with it. It needs to be stamped out from the top down and among the million odd complaints I have about the powers that be at the top in our game, they way they have lead the pack in handling racism on the field has been very good.

[floppinab]

You MUST read this.


Official Website of the Australian Football League > News Article > The indigenous game: A matter of choice (http://www.afl.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=55865)

There's nothing more I can add...........................

[AnnieH]

I can only add that now, I love him just a little bit more.

Black or white or yellow or purple or green or blue ... Goodesy's a man all men can look up to.

[swantastic]

Good story...but if his own cousins racially abuse him how does he change the attitudes of other people?

[floppinab]

Reckon I might have a handle on who it is.

Particular players form dropped off signficantly over the ensueing rounds following the game in question.

[Go Swannies]

Very impressive.

He was the first AFL footballer I ever spoke to and I thought "this isn't the standard no-neck buffoon I associate with football". The next was Brett Kirk and a conversation about Buddhism.

Goodes is a very impressive man but he can be a flawed player. It'd be wonderful if working through these issues leaves him free to realise his genius on the field this year. Might be time to see what his Brownlow odds are like . . .

[swantastic]

Your one of the lucky ones st if it hasn't effected you. I've seen it happen on the field far too much in junior and senior football in Sydney and I know how much of an impact it can have on young players, black or of any race. In the long term, sure maybe they learn to live with it, but on game day it has a huge impact and they shouldn't have to live with it. It needs to be stamped out from the top down and among the million odd complaints I have about the powers that be at the top in our game, they way they have lead the pack in handling racism on the field has been very good.I'm fine but i just gave as good as i got.Being a white Australian playing soccer i copped a fair whack from Greeks, Itialians, Croatians, Albanians, Macedonians,Turkish and Lebanese.They used to say go and play footy you so and so,but in a lot more colorful manner.

I used to get spat on by opposition supporters at away games,which i find the worst form of abuse.If you try and jump the fence for a bit of biffo with the offender you would have their supporters ganging up on you.

In 1 particular game we had to get the police to escort us off the ground and straight onto the bus even with out having a shower or getting changed.They then proceeded to pelt the bus with any thing they could find.


I am a supporter of the Dutch National Soccer team and over many years of watching them the white dutch players still dont seem to embrace the black players even when they do some thing good or score.

I was watching 1 game many years ago and when a white player scored they all jumped on each other,but the only ones who wernt allowed were the black players.

[Xie Shan]

While racial abuse of any kind cannot and should not be condoned, I find it interesting to compare Goodes' reaction to being abused and how he handled the situation (i.e. mediation, no naming names) with the self-righteous finger-pointing coming from Ponting, Symonds et al recently.

Goodes = class act. Fully agree with Go Swannies' comments in the other thread, he is one player that I'm very proud plays for the Swans.

(Goodes, not GS! :p )

[TheGrimReaper]

Goodes is a champion man as well as a champion Footballer.

Goodesy is a god. :D

[Go Swannies]

Goodes = class act. Fully agree with Go Swannies' comments in the other thread, he is one player that I'm very proud plays for the Swans.

(Goodes, not GS! :p )

That's a bit harsh. Roos told me not to kick the goal.

[floppinab]

how he handled the situation (i.e. mediation, no naming names)


Been thinking about that.

If this is true then why give so much detail??? The year and the ground was given leading to quite a bit of media speculation and effectively enough clues for anyone who wanted to look through the tapes or stats of those games to work out who it was.

I get the feeling it was his intention to have the offending player outed behind the doors of the front pages while still "not naming names". This also given he was quoted in papers in recent days that quite a few players have had to go through mediation behind closed doors in recent years.

A little disengenious I think.

[Lucky Knickers]

Been thinking about that.

If this is true then why give so much detail??? The year and the ground was given leading to quite a bit of media speculation and effectively enough clues for anyone who wanted to look through the tapes or stats of those games to work out who it was.

I get the feeling it was his intention to have the offending player outed behind the doors of the front pages while still "not naming names". This also given he was quoted in papers in recent days that quite a few players have had to go through mediation behind closed doors in recent years.

A little disengenious I think.

Having now read the book chapter in full, I believe that assigning that motivation to Goodes is unfair. It's selective editing and an eye-catching beat up headline by the newspapers that give it that appearance.

Think you are judging him unfairly floppinab.

[swantastic]

Been thinking about that.

If this is true then why give so much detail??? The year and the ground was given leading to quite a bit of media speculation and effectively enough clues for anyone who wanted to look through the tapes or stats of those games to work out who it was.

I get the feeling it was his intention to have the offending player outed behind the doors of the front pages while still "not naming names". This also given he was quoted in papers in recent days that quite a few players have had to go through mediation behind closed doors in recent years.

A little disingenuous I think.Umm very good points there floppinab,some media person will comb through the tapes and find a winner.

[Chow-Chicker]

While racial abuse of any kind cannot and should not be condoned, I find it interesting to compare Goodes' reaction to being abused and how he handled the situation (i.e. mediation, no naming names) with the self-righteous finger-pointing coming from Ponting, Symonds et al recently.

Goodes = class act. Fully agree with Go Swannies' comments in the other thread, he is one player that I'm very proud plays for the Swans.

(Goodes, not GS! :p )
Sorry, but I fail to see what was wrong with the way Ponting / Symonds dealt with the issue or indeed Michael Long or indeed any other person who has been racially vilified. Good on Goodes for dealing with it the way he felt best. It's a credit to him as a person. But that does not denigrate any other victim of such rubbish because they chose to be more public about it.

[Xie Shan]

Sorry, but I fail to see what was wrong with the way Ponting / Symonds dealt with the issue or indeed Michael Long or indeed any other person who has been racially vilified. Good on Goodes for dealing with it the way he felt best. It's a credit to him as a person. But that does not denigrate any other victim of such rubbish because they chose to be more public about it.

OK, OK, fair enough! That's one debate I didn't want to re-visit...I kind of regret bringing it up again now...it just didn't sit well with me that the Aussies were so quick to claim the moral high ground over the incident, especially given they are arguably cricket's worst sledgers. But then I've never liked Ponting anyway. North supporter, you see. :p

[Xie Shan]

That's a bit harsh. Roos told me not to kick the goal.

No worries Jarrad! :)

[dread and might]

I know how Rule 30 works. Intimately. In 2002, I was on the SCG when an opponent called me a ?f?.. monkey-looking c??. I know it doesn?t matter who it is, but I was shocked because he was one of the highest-profile players in football, held up as a role model. I reported the incident; it took a while for it to sink in

Who was it???

Great link BTW.

[dimelb]

Agree, floppinab - must read. Very well put together.

[floppinab]

Having now read the book chapter in full, I believe that assigning that motivation to Goodes is unfair. It's selective editing and an eye-catching beat up headline by the newspapers that give it that appearance.

Think you are judging him unfairly floppinab.

Then why give the year and ground???? That sentence could have quite easily been written without those details and had just the same impact. Yes there still would have been speculation but the player would have been impossible to identify. As it stands it's not that hard to narrow down who it might be.

[Go Swannies]

Then why give the year and ground???? That sentence could have quite easily been written without those details and had just the same impact. Yes there still would have been speculation but the player would have been impossible to identify. As it stands it's not that hard to narrow down who it might be.

Without some of the specifics it would look as if Goodes was claiming "me too". But now there would be pages on BigFooty saying Goodes was big noting himself and saying he was fantasising to be compared with Nicky Winmar. Sorry, he had to give enough data to show that he remembered when and where it happened.

[AnnieH]

Then why give the year and ground???? That sentence could have quite easily been written without those details and had just the same impact. Yes there still would have been speculation but the player would have been impossible to identify. As it stands it's not that hard to narrow down who it might be.

It is actually hard to narrow down who it might be.

We played what, six or seven teams at the SCG - 25 players per team ... that's over 150 players to choose from.

Of those, you can say that at least 50 would be "high profile".

What's the point in dragging out a "name" SIX years after the fact - considering that it was dealt with at the time and that Goodesy has moved on??

Goodesy is indeed a gentleman for not "kissing and telling".

[floppinab]

It is actually hard to narrow down who it might be.


With some help I've narrowed it down already Annie, it wasn't that hard.


Without some of the specifics it would look as if Goodes was claiming "me too". But now there would be pages on BigFooty saying Goodes was big noting himself and saying he was fantasising to be compared with Nicky Winmar. Sorry, he had to give enough data to show that he remembered when and where it happened.

Well put GS, hadn't thought of that.