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

[OldLion]

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

Spot on. It's a great brand of footy - attack like crazy.

 

[plugger47]

What a pile of tripe. Indigenous people are free to own whatever land they like, just like you and me.

Well they possessed it all before it was stolen off them after an invasion!

 

[plugger47]

Sailing ships, organized military, navigation, physics, mathematics, THE WHEEL.

Fluky aren't they..

mathmatics is an islamic invention, the wheel was invented in Mesopotamia (that Iraq now), organized military probably China, navigation ditto. Your "white" culture is a bit of dumbass ideas isn't it

 

[plugger47]

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.

I take it you won't be nominating for the Nobel Peace prize this year mr self absorbed

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

The reason football is so heavily emphasised in aboriginal communities is that it is sadly one of the only ways to get ahead in life.
Aboriginal Footballers are often champions of their communities, going back and setting up programs to help and encourage the younger kids - something the government should be doing.

This is the way I see it too. Anglo players usually have a lot of family support to work their way up in their chosen sport. Parents buying gear, driving them to junior footy on the weekends, providing proper nutrition etc. I am sure this happens in some aboriginal households too but the domestic violence rates in such households would suggest that many young aboriginal footballers would succeed based on their own determination to continue on in spite of their circumstances, rather than because they had the encouragement of a family unit that is so important in those formative sporting years.

If the AFL or the country do not make a song and dance about opportunities and programs available, and the status aspect of the sport, I fear it would be a sad fact that the participation rate at any serious commitment level, would drop alarmingly.

I know that there are aboriginal households no different to yours or mine and to give those households extra advantages in aspects of life, might seem unfair in comparison. However if benefits are taken away because of the minority who might misuse those advantages just because they are there, then many more deserving families will be affected. I guess it is the greater good scenario coming into play.

 

[drew_j]

I take it you won't be nominating for the Nobel Peace prize this year mr self absorbed

Errrr, why would I nominate for the Nobel peace prize? Are you?

 

[drew_j]

Well then stop winging about the dreamtime game.

I'm not whining about the dreamtime game. Get your facts straight.

 

[plugger47]

Errrr, why would I nominate for the Nobel peace prize? Are you?

Yeah they might give it me for heavy irony

 

[drew_j]

Yeah they might give it me for heavy irony

Irony? I don't see any irony in you comments. Sarcasm maybe.

 

[Stephen2]

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?

Strangely enough it's Stephen2, feel free to look it up.

 

[Stephen2]

mathmatics is an islamic invention, the wheel was invented in Mesopotamia (that Iraq now), organized military probably China, navigation ditto. Your "white" culture is a bit of dumbass ideas isn't it

As I said white culture invented or made massive improvements to, all of the above. The point stands that white culture stands for (and consistently achieves) several things, being invention, civilization and success.

White culture is (not surprisingly) the Australian dream...
Owning a house, raising LOOKED AFTER, not beaten children, a loved/loving wife, being successful at a job, individual achievement, science, technology, invention!

That's white culture, and you know it is, because you live in it, and I guarantee you are a part of it.

Other cultures are different, and value different things... I'm saying there's just some cultures that cannot get along in ours, and things will get worse, the more we force everyone to "integrate" or "assimilate"... We're not the BORG, we're humans, it doesn't work!

 

[shibz_1989]

Oh, I'm not going through 11 pages of posts, so apologies if this has been mentioned.

It could possibly be because of what happened to Nicky Winmar.

 

[silk]

One thing i hate is the way ingigenous players are only ever compareble to other indigenous players.. "Like he will be the next Michael Long"... Why can't he be the next Abblett, or Carey???

 

[balthaz]

As I said white culture invented or made massive improvements to, all of the above. The point stands that white culture stands for (and consistently achieves) several things, being invention, civilization and success.

White culture is (not surprisingly) the Australian dream...
Owning a house, raising LOOKED AFTER, not beaten children, a loved/loving wife, being successful at a job, individual achievement, science, technology, invention!

That's white culture, and you know it is, because you live in it, and I guarantee you are a part of it.

Other cultures are different, and value different things... I'm saying there's just some cultures that cannot get along in ours, and things will get worse, the more we force everyone to "integrate" or "assimilate"... We're not the BORG, we're humans, it doesn't work!

Stop using the term "white culture" when you mean "mainstream culture". It's patently wrong and until you make that distinction you're going to have an argument in this thread.

 

[bushie]

Stop using the term "white culture" when you mean "mainstream culture". It's patently wrong and until you make that distinction you're going to have an argument in this thread.

I think you will find this jerk uses the term "white culture" in a very deliberate and calculated way.

 

[zero]

Strangely enough it's Stephen2, feel free to look it up.

i recognized your bull******** fascist rhetoric, iv dealt with a few of you wannabe nazi ******** rags from stormfront before

how about you ******** off back to that sewer with the rest of your white supremacist mates

 

[worthy]

Why do we differentiate between indigenous players, and all other players?

Purely a marketing ploy taking the game to rural areas.

We have a commemerative match one round with a big song and dance purely for aboriginal players. There are always things cropping up about indigenous players, finding new pathways for them to get drafted, special clinics in rural Australia etc etc.

I think because the AFL has acknowledged the importance of Indigenous players in the game and the extra difficulty these players have getting to the AFL from remote areas, also the lack of infrastructure in place in these remote areas, i'd say the AFL see a lot of marketable talent going to waste.

I'm not trying to be racist, and I'm sure at one point in time racial villification was an issue in AFL. These days, we are such a multicultural society it almost seems silly to have all of this hoo ha for one particular race. Why dont we have a celebratory match for anglo saxon players? Can you imagine the outrage if that were the case?

Sounds like it's still an issue, albeit less of an issue to what it once was, most "white" Australians probably don't experience first hand the problems faced or understand the culture, so opinions are often formed on information gleened from the media, which, as we know, can be a little misleading.
An anglo saxon match wouldn't be as marketable, also, the impact of the majority at something is rarely celebrated, the excellent contribution of a smaller group in the big picture is often the focus.

As far as i'm concerned we are Australian. Not aboriginal, not italian, not papua new guinnean, not anything else. We are all australian. Why is there still this big 'to do' surrounding all things aboriginal??

Probably a whole other debate altogether and maybe where this thread got off track.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I have no problem using football to promote aboriginal culture to a point.

The most amusing is when these mixed bloods waffle on about being aboriginal when the reality is they are just as much aboriginal as they are anglo.

Perhaps they can tell us all about their white heritage, or isnt that trendy enough?

You just don't get it do you?
It's quite sad.

I tried to read through this thread but it's full of ignorance and stupidity.

You may not be racist Shanboi, but you're very misguided.

There's alot of comments in this thread about how we should all be treated equal and that we shouldn't put the spotlight on any one race.
That's fine, but I've seen this spotlight work in a completely negative way over many years time and time again.
I've heard comments like "at least the black c*nts in America can sing or dance, all ours are f*ckin useless"....this is a completely racist and ignorant comment, but what gets to me is that it is a common thought in our society.
How many jokes are there protraying Kooris as drunken burglars? It's no coincidence. Of course some do find themsleves in trouble, get into the wrong circles and commit crime but it's a common held belief amongst the majority of white Australia that all Aboriginals are hand-out taking, alcoholics who commit crime after crime. It's a stereotype that just will not go away.
And if you think that predjudices against these people don't excist you're kidding yourself.

So why not celebrate the Kooris, Murrays and Noongars who have made something of themselves, fought against the predjudices and stereotypes that are holding back thier culture and their people.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Strangely enough it's Stephen2, feel free to look it up.

Relocating from Preston to a 'whiter' area might alleviate your anger a little.

 

[Beckers]

As I said white culture invented or made massive improvements to, all of the above. The point stands that white culture stands for (and consistently achieves) several things, being invention, civilization and success.

White culture is (not surprisingly) the Australian dream...
Owning a house, raising LOOKED AFTER, not beaten children, a loved/loving wife, being successful at a job, individual achievement, science, technology, invention!

That's white culture, and you know it is, because you live in it, and I guarantee you are a part of it.

Other cultures are different, and value different things... I'm saying there's just some cultures that cannot get along in ours, and things will get worse, the more we force everyone to "integrate" or "assimilate"... We're not the BORG, we're humans, it doesn't work!

Xenophobia is alive and well........................
..........please explain?



This post is either a complete pi$$take or you really haven't left Preston to explore the world because of your fear of what is different to you

 

[fishmonger]

an interesting article
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/16/1163266713571.html

Draft prospect Nathan Djerrkura in Arnhem Land.

"He always wanted to help his people and I want to follow in his footsteps and help my people," Nathan said, his eyes resting thoughtfully on his words. "But he did it in a political way. I want to do it through the AFL because for the majority of Aboriginal kids it's their indigenous game.

"Hopefully they can see where I've come from, such a small community, and how far I've made it. Hopefully they can follow in my footsteps."

Nathan's graduation from Scotch was a remarkable achievement. Head of sport Robert Smith called it the highlight of his 20-year career. "I know how much hard work and struggle he has gone through to get there."

 

[purplepavlich_29]

Whilst I agree with the fact aboriginals are treated unfairly at times I encourage you all to try and live in a town where their rights are deemed superior to anglo-saxons and where the law neglects to charge them in fear of being deemed a rascist.

It's a two way street.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

"Hopefully they can see where I've come from, such a small community, and how far I've made it. Hopefully they can follow in my footsteps."

And therein lies the difference. How many Anglos want to play in the AFL for the sake of their community? Most want the fame and the fortune and have a passion for the game. Being a role model is something thrust on to them, not something they want to do. Plenty of aboriginal boys make the AFL and happily leave it far earlier than expected because the fame and fortune is not the issue for them. I wonder how much money Dean Rioli gets playing for the Tiwi Bombers, compared to the Essendon Bombers? He's just giving back NT football and leading the way.

 

[Stephen2]

It's a good sentiment, and if that's what the Indigenous football days/rounds are for, then it's good. It's good for people to have a positive role model even if it is only a sportsman, who I hope doesn't commit violent or criminal acts (unlike such a high proportion of Aboriginal footballers).

What isn't right in that article is the imagery of Aboriginal communities being a peaceful haven of paradise.

Here's a brief of his father discussing the real facts of Aboriginal life:
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s30519.htm

Aborigines in Cape York are 12 to 15 times more likely to be injured from family violence than other Australians. Nearly half of all the injuries that happen in these communities occurs through physical assaults-people attacking people-and the victims are largely women and children.... an Aboriginal child who at the age of 17 months was r*ped. She was butchered by the assault and was forced to wear a colostomy bag.

Does poverty and hunger cause rape and violence? Not to that extent... What then is the reason? To use the famous BigFooty word: Culture

To what extent is that culture the fault of other people and not themselves? I think people do what they do, and nobody is forcing it upon them... Disturbing facts about the real life of remote Aboriginal communities.

 

[bushie]

It's a good sentiment, and if that's what the Indigenous football days/rounds are for, then it's good. It's good for people to have a positive role model even if it is only a sportsman, who I hope doesn't commit violent or criminal acts (unlike such a high proportion of Aboriginal footballers).

What isn't right in that article is the imagery of Aboriginal communities being a peaceful haven of paradise.

Here's a brief of his father discussing the real facts of Aboriginal life:
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s30519.htm

Does poverty and hunger cause rape and violence? Not to that extent... What then is the reason? To use the famous BigFooty word: Culture

To what extent is that culture the fault of other people and not themselves? I think people do what they do, and nobody is forcing it upon them... Disturbing facts about the real life of remote Aboriginal communities.

My god, you really do believe this crap that you type don't you???
If you think that this is somehow a reflection of aboriginal culture you are a seriously demented fool.
Do you fail to understand that any impoverished lower socio-economic community, anywhere in the world has these problems. It is not culture, it is todays citizens reaping the whirlwind of past, present and ongoing prejudices, policies and mistakes.
You make me and a lot of other people sick you racist pig!!