Trying to see the AFL indigenous issue clearly

“In my experience, when there are rising tensions between different groups, whether they be racial or religious, there is really only one remedy. Engagement”.

“The alternative to engagement is a cycle of rumour and speculation that eventually finds expression through media types who mistake valuable opinion for saying the first thing that comes into their head, as opposed to arriving at a final judgement based on the best information available.” – Martin Flanagan, The Age

There is no better journalist to read than Martin Flanagan if you want to get an insight into the Liam Jurrah story and the broader one of indigenous affairs in sport.

The AFL should not be expected to help indigenous players “assimilate” or “adapt” to life in the big city. To “assimilate” means to rid one of all previous cultural and social factors. Things like language, custom and ritual are gone, replaced by that of the dominant culture they find themselves in.

This definition should shadow all discussion about indigenous footballers coming to the AFL. The hysteria from the public and sections of the media that has ensued Liam Jurrah’s alleged involvement in a domestic dispute whilst on leave from Melbourne has been grossly misguided.

Paul Roos has said indigenous players will suffer in a two and two interchange system. Adelaide’s recruiting manager Matt Rendell was sacked for claiming he would be apprehensive to recruit an indigenous player unless they had one white parent. James Hird also made similar comments to Roos.

Listening to Melbourne sports radio station SEN1116 this morning callers said they could understand Rendell’s comments. Others called for the AFL to help players “assimilate better” whilst journalist Patrick Smith denied there was even a problem with indigenous footballers at all.

I respect all of these opinions, yet one crucial factor was not touched in any of the rhetoric I heard in thirty minutes of radio.

It is what Indigenous author Tony Birch calls “structural amnesia or the social organization of forgetting”.

In summary this is the way white Australia has always been in the majority and continues to turn away from the mistakes and misdoings of the past.

Australian Rules Football is described as an “indigenous” game, in the sense that it was created here. I have always felt that this statement is an example of how a mainstream body of people – football lovers – can appreciate the beginnings of one thing but not another.

We love the way indigenous stars have contributed to our league over the years. We have been stunned by those players, yet once the debate moves outside of the realm of football society forgets.

Structure is lost, the blinkers are taken off and we only choose to see what is comfortable.

This is grossly hypocritical and damaging. Think of the story of Nicky Winmar, who pointed to his skin in response to racial taunts at Victoria Park in 1993.

It is sickening that this used to occur. It still does but on a much more infrequent level.

That Winmar, through an act of protest to racial vilification, has had the greatest impact on positive engagement with and acceptance of indigenous players in our game is disappointing.

It may be so that acts of defiance have caused much indigenous progress in wider society, but surely, in one of the few realms in our community where indigenous people are admired and followed for the right reasons all stakeholders can be pro active.

That is why now is an important time for some sort of discussion, or “summit” as Flanagan calls it. It is a dramatic word with connotation of a crisis.

The isolated case of Jurrah, along with the likes of Austin Wonaeamirri and Relton Roberts falling out of the AFL system, doesn’t justify a crisis.

Rather Flangan’s suggestion is one aimed at ensuring the future indigenous players are handled better and taken into a structure that is more accommodating, appreciative and understanding.

If the AFL takes a lead in major reforms like this – which are overall positive – the potential for greater change in society’s attitude is immense. Though it is not the AFL’s responsibility to achieve this there is a great opportunity to do so.

The AFL as an organization does already play a large role in empowering indigenous athletes by providing a competition that they have been successful in.

However, those that love the game, and more broadly the general public, should choose to notice and be equally concerned about the brilliance of indigenous footballers and the degradation of their society.