Why is there such a heavy emphasis on the "indigenous" players of our game?

[worthy]

This is all getting a bit ridiculous.

One of the earliest great performances I can remember is when Adrian McAdam absolutely slaughtered Mick Gayfer at Victoria Park kicking 8 goals on the human glove. I don't remember that game because McAdam was aboriginal - I remember it because it was a great performance at an evil homeground.

Likewise I remember James Hird 's performance against the Eagles when he won the game - but got no Brownlow votes as a great performance - I remeber this not because James is white but because it was a great performance.

Footballers of all colours of skin if they put in a great performance are great - not because of their skin but because of their performance.

While racism has no place at a football ground neither does handwringing over past injustices or gasping with awe just because someone with a different skin colour does something good.

Unfounded accusations about people being racist are as bad as the racism itself.

I think most people feel this way, some may not get their point across clearly though which allows others to rush in with the "racist" card, which makes me sick.

 

[ClintEastwood]

I fail to see how observing that, within the posters of BF there lurks a very healthy racist element, is putting everyone in that category. I didn't intend that and I don't believe it.
And since you seem happy to paint me as some left wing do-gooder let me tell you a bit about me.
As I type this, there are about 20 blackfellas in my house. Some are my bosses, some work for me, but all are my mates. I am called a Gudiya bardimia...or a white fella blackfella. I have been to their ceremonies, I have shared their food and drink as I have shared their life experiences (both good and bad) for all of my 41 years. A couple of them have played top level footy and one of them played over 100 games in the AFL, and to a man they say that not only is racism alive and well in the community, but it is still a factor in elite sporting circles.
If celebrating aboriginal success in footy can change a few of those perceptions and ideologies then it is doing its job.
So I wont shut up nor will I turn the other cheek when I see racist tripe being typed up by ignorant halfwits.

Nice post.

 

[timthefish]

I think most people feel this way, some may not get their point across clearly though which allows others to rush in with the "racist" card, which makes me sick.

most of the fuss has been caused by a genuine self-confessed racist bigot who can't accept that highlighting indigenous success might do a lot of good and does little, if any, harm. he got his point across well and truly when he openly suggested that aboriginal people may have a genetic predisposition to violence and delinquency. he also implied that africans had never invented the wheel. that was a doozy - i wonder how they built the pyramids.

 

[Stephen2]

he also implied that africans had never invented the wheel. that was a doozy - i wonder how they built the pyramids.

The Egyptian rulers and elite were of the Ptolemaic line, which originated in Mesopotamia. It employed Africans solely as slaves, except for a brief period where the Ethiopians conquered Egypt during it's decline from greatness.

Egypt being north of the Sahara has always been populated by a different peoples than the Sub-Saharan.

 

[raskolnikov]

aboriginal people were not just shunned, mistreated and neglected in the past, it is still happening. the life expectancy is of an indigenous person is much lower than the national average and less than half the national average in some regions. sport is one of the most successful pathways for indigenous youth to break out of a negative cycle and to earn self respect. the indigenous players are strong positive role models that generate a lot of positive action from indigenous youth.
on top of that, does it do any harm? if you are so concerned with inequity, why don't you go and campaign for better housing, health and education standards for indigenous and other disadvantaged or remote communities.

Sorry, but as someone who worked in a remote Aboriginal community for a year, may I suggest that you don't have any idea what you are talking about.

 

[Father Jack]

The Egyptian rulers and elite were of the Ptolemaic line, which originated in Mesopotamia. It employed Africans solely as slaves, except for a brief period where the Ethiopians conquered Egypt during it's decline from greatness.

Egypt being north of the Sahara has always been populated by a different peoples than the Sub-Saharan.

The Ptolemys never built the Pyramids, you clown. They came along centuries later.

Edit: This needs to be in bay 13, its just a racist troll now.

 

[ClintEastwood]

The Egyptian rulers and elite were of the Ptolemaic line, which originated in Mesopotamia. It employed Africans solely as slaves, except for a brief period where the Ethiopians conquered Egypt during it's decline from greatness.

Egypt being north of the Sahara has always been populated by a different peoples than the Sub-Saharan.

Egypt is in Africa. So in the general sense, Egyptians are African.

 

[loki04]

One issue is clear regardless of your stance, if someone even asks a question such as this then they are labeled a racist and bigot.

Agreed and it is a load of crap , people who have been wronged deserve help/assistance and the Aboriginal people have a right to celebrate there culture and past. As this has gone right off the topic I mise well have a rant!

Timmy and Fish nothing against you blokes but you both seem like city boys that have read up/watched the news and been taught about the plight of aboriginals rather than seen it with your own eyes. The racism these days is getting worse the other way (Black on white) come live in BrokenHill for a while, get your nose out of a book and see for yourself.
Even if you have mates that are Aboriginal and you go out with them come past a mob of aboriginals they will cop s#$t for hanging with WHITE DOGS!
True you will still have racists whites/tanned ect as well but on a whole Racism is no longer tolerated (and so it shouldn't be).
Although I feel sorry for the poor bastards who got severely mistreated, I was not alive the last time someone was taken from their family for no apparent reason in 1954 (was the last reported case) Nor was I alive when captain cook invaded and the massacre that ensued.
Also the people you see on the news that live in remote areas of AUS CHOOSE to live there they are not forced, stop treating them as if they are children that don't know what to do. Because like you and me they have a choice infact they have more assistance than u or i do!

PS Please refrain from using one liners like : "Typical response from an ignorant bigot" because that is the typical response that is used by people who only like to put forward half the facts and calls everyone who says differently a racist. I haven't read 1 post on here that has disagreed with the fact that some Aboriginals do need help and that they were mistreated disgustingly but now days this does not apply to the whole race yet is a massive generalisation that most people have.

 

[drew_j]

I fail to see how observing that, within the posters of BF there lurks a very healthy racist element, is putting everyone in that category. I didn't intend that and I don't believe it.
And since you seem happy to paint me as some left wing do-gooder let me tell you a bit about me.
As I type this, there are about 20 blackfellas in my house. Some are my bosses, some work for me, but all are my mates. I am called a Gudiya bardimia...or a white fella blackfella. I have been to their ceremonies, I have shared their food and drink as I have shared their life experiences (both good and bad) for all of my 41 years. A couple of them have played top level footy and one of them played over 100 games in the AFL, and to a man they say that not only is racism alive and well in the community, but it is still a factor in elite sporting circles.
If celebrating aboriginal success in footy can change a few of those perceptions and ideologies then it is doing its job.
So I wont shut up nor will I turn the other cheek when I see racist tripe being typed up by ignorant halfwits.

Look. You sound like a reasonable and intelligent guy. So I'll do you the courtesy of being blunt. I couldn't give a rats arse about racism in any form. I can't remember the last time I judged a man, woman or child because of their race though I'm sure I've done it at some stage, but I wouldn't consider my self racist per say. I'm sure there is a problem out there, but I just don't see why it should be my problem. I have enough to worry about without adding the woe of an entire race. You got a problem with racism, fine, go out there and do something about it (which it sounds like you have and good on you for doing it) but I am sick and tired of having it shoved down my throat everywhere I turn. It's boring, it's tired, let it go already. You are not going to change someone's fundamental beliefs by spewing on about it........ And with that beautiful hypocrisy I rest my case.

 

[Bakes]

When someone is down you can either give them a leg up, or kick them while they are down.
The racists on this thread think they are big men kicking people while they are down.
How brave and manly of you all!
I hate to see a group of people so down and disfunctional that they commit horrible violent crimes against eachother.
For the racists on this thread it seems they are ammused by it and want to perpetuate the current situation by making sure the issues are not addressed.
Then they criticise those with some compassion.
If being a dogooder is what I get called for wanting to see some of these issues getting addressed to prevent some of the despair and horrific outcomes of disfunction, then I'm proud to be called a dogooder.

In my view racists are on about the same level as child abusers because the outcomes are the same.

LOOK OUT!, its SUPERNERD protecting the oblivious from the doers of possible evil one misdirected keystroke at a time!

 

[Bakes]

Soooo
you want to acknowledge what happenned in the past and how it affects our lives today on a selective basis?

nope, all i said was that i deal with aboriginals that i meet the same as i do anyone else.

 

[balthaz]

The Egyptian rulers and elite were of the Ptolemaic line, which originated in Mesopotamia. It employed Africans solely as slaves, except for a brief period where the Ethiopians conquered Egypt during it's decline from greatness.

Egypt being north of the Sahara has always been populated by a different peoples than the Sub-Saharan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pharaohs

The Ptolemies only ruled from 305 BC until Roman rule in 30 BC and were Hellenistic (Greek), not Mesopotamian. Wikipedia rules.

 

[zero]

unless your a ********ing coward, stephen, post your stormfront username.

that way any one of us can go over there and do a search on what you really think, what you say when your with other like minded fascists

come on, its something like WhitePower, or Kill_the_Koons isnt it?

 

[Grin]

Sorry, but as someone who worked in a remote Aboriginal community for a year, may I suggest that you don't have any idea what you are talking about.

Sorry, but as someone who has worked on Aboriginal communities for the past 12 years, may I suggest that you don't have any idea about what you are talking about.

 

[Grin]

nope, all i said was that i deal with aboriginals that i meet the same as i do anyone else.

Except that you want to acknowledge your history but not theirs.

 

[ShanBoi]

and still i ask...

WTF has it got to do with AFL??

Aboriginies live in rural underprivelaged areas. They were treated poorly by the white man when we settled here. I know... Let's have an AFL match that celebrates aboriginals specifically for NO GOOD REASON.

 

[zero]

and still i ask...

WTF has it got to do with AFL??

Aboriginies live in rural underprivelaged areas. They were treated poorly by the white man when we settled here. I know... Let's have an AFL match that celebrates aboriginals specifically for NO GOOD REASON.

dude, go back and read my post on page 8, i tried to give you a balanced answer.

its promotion that benefits the AFL in a number of ways, any positive social impact is a bonus (though they will talk it up for PR purposes)

 

[ShanBoi]

um... yes... i understand it is a marketing ploy... but that's part of my beef.

it is RIDICULOUS.

 

[zero]

Look. You sound like a reasonable and intelligent guy. So I'll do you the courtesy of being blunt. I couldn't give a rats arse about racism in any form. I can't remember the last time I judged a man, woman or child because of their race though I'm sure I've done it at some stage, but I wouldn't consider my self racist per say. I'm sure there is a problem out there, but I just don't see why it should be my problem.

because they are australians, and you are australians. while its not universal, and everyone is his own man, most australians want to assist other australians, its one of the things that makes it a great place to be born.

if you dont want to make it your problem, then thats cool, but i think it should be something that we and our government try to do something about.

it seems like we have got alot of things wrong in the past, but thats government for ya.

 

[zero]

um... yes... i understand it is a marketing ploy... but that's part of my beef.

it is RIDICULOUS.

why is that ridiculous? collingwood playing for a trophy every week is ridiculous, an indigenous game and a bunch of scholarships to the most talented abo kids seems like a wise investment in the game, for the supportership, the brand, and the quality of the play.

your too sensitive, mate. let the AFL do their promotional stuff (its their bloody job, after all) and we can just enjoy the football

 

[bushie]

because they are australians, and you are australians. while its not universal, and everyone is his own man, most australians want to assist other australians, its one of the things that makes it a great place to be born.

if you dont want to make it your problem, then thats cool, but i think it should be something that we and our government try to do something about.

it seems like we have got alot of things wrong in the past, but thats government for ya.

Well it seems that we agree on at least one thing Zero.
And this is far more important than footy loyalty.

Well said!

 

[drew_j]

because they are australians, and you are australians. while its not universal, and everyone is his own man, most australians want to assist other australians, its one of the things that makes it a great place to be born.

if you dont want to make it your problem, then thats cool, but i think it should be something that we and our government try to do something about.

it seems like we have got alot of things wrong in the past, but thats government for ya.

I will assist another person when asked. I will not bander to a person who seeks to inflict what they think is wrong or right.

 

[Grin]

I will assist another person when asked. I will not bander to a person who seeks to inflict what they think is wrong or right.

Well then stop winging about the dreamtime game.

 

[pharro]

Then why dont we have matches to celebrate white culture??

Sure we have big clashes for anzac days, but the indigenous match is just a match SPECIFICALLY for that purpose. Lets have one for the anglo aussies, aussies of italian background... Its stupid if you ask me. They would never do it for anyone other than aboriginals

I dont like seggregated society. We are Australian, and part of being Australian is being multicultural. Pumping up one race because they were shunned in the past seems silly. When will it end?? It wont, because it will become a 'tradition'. I could understand if it was an aboriginal game and we were celebrating its foundations, but its not. We celebrate the indigenous players out of guilt for wrong doings in the past. It doesnt just annoy me in AFL, it annoys me in everything. Im not being racist. I dont condemn or condone anything, i really dont care about the past. When will we ever move on if we continually separate them from everyone else??

Gee how many times do you want to make an ar$e clown of yourself in one post?

Arguably aborginal tribes DID invent football.

Multiculturalism is about celebrating all cultures, not creating a mixed gruel.

Why don't you go work on yourself man, you have some issues to deal with.

 

[changa#10]

if u wanna see some great aboriginal talent watch tiwi bombers on abc 2