The first time I ever spoke with Adam Goodes, I could instantly tell this was not your stock standard footballer.
Every time he spoke to the media, each answer was thoughtfully and eloquently delivered, and – sometimes significantly in a non-AFL city – regardless what he may have thought of the question, nobody was ever treated with any contempt.
A pair of Brownlow Medals, two Premiership medallions, the games record holder for his proud club, all rewards for what he has done inside the white line during a remarkable career.
He showed on Friday night against Collingwood, that at the age of 33, he still has plenty of fine football left in his boots. He showed on Saturday morning what I saw that first time we spoke, that he is not your average footy player.
Many in the AFL and wider sporting world already knew the type of person Goodes is. It’s such a shame that in 2013, the rest of the Australian population would have to find out the way it did.
Those who know Goodes were not surprised when the media were informed very late on Friday night the former Swans’ skipper would be fronting the cameras the next morning. And none were really surprised either with the words he delivered.
He didn’t see it as an opportunity to stir up hate, to point fingers at racists, or as a way of focusing on any hardships of his indigenous people.
He spoke from the heart about the hurt he felt about being called an ‘ape’, the impact of such a word on an indigenous person, and how shattered he felt, especially to hear it from a 13-year-old girl.
But almost before those words could even hit Twitter, Goodes spoke about the support he hoped the young girl would receive, and about how “we’ve just got to help educate society better so it doesn’t happen again.”
The immediate general consensus was the correct one. While he may be an exceptional footballer on the park, away from it, Adam Goodes is an even more remarkable leader.
But then, once the dust settled … out they came. And as someone fortunate enough to have a rough idea what Adam Goodes the person – not just the footballer – is like, it’s just plain insulting and infuriating to hear.
For some people to suggest Goodes used the incident to climb on the soapbox to champion the indigenous cause which he feels so strongly about, for some to call him a sook, for some to say harden up, umpires get called offensive names every week, for some to say he should have just simply turned the other cheek and referred to the old: “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me,”
Clearly they did hurt. Clearly they hurt North’s Majak Daw a few weeks ago when he was racially taunted. Clearly they hurt Daw, Daniel Wells, and Lindsay Thomas when they were racially abused earlier this year. Clearly they hurt Lance Franklin when it happened to him in Tasmania two years ago. Clearly it hurts every single time regardless of whether it becomes public or not.
While most of us can never know how it feels, it’s pretty clear that such taunts and abuse, that those names, are offensive and hurtful.
Will they ever stop? I’m sure most of us would like to think so, but chances are they won’t. Judging by some of the reaction to Goodes in recent days, some people just don’t care, and no amount of education about the matter will ever help. Some don’t want education, they want their football team to win and that’s all that matters.
For those, all we can do is show them racism won’t be tolerated, and hit them where it hurts by telling them, “sorry, you are not welcome at our game.”
You see one or hear one … dob them in. Film them on your phone. Report them to an official at the ground. Like Goodes did, make a stand.
Hopefully the pain Adam Goodes went through last Friday night won’t be in vain. Hopefully the awareness of the problem has been raised to such a level that those who were ignorant of the sensitivity of such taunts, now understand, and all football fans should now know, that even though security are unable to find it in those bag searches at the front gate, be very aware that racism is not allowed into our football grounds.
Ray Micallef
Guest
OneNation My apologies for not seeing through your social experiment here on The Roar If you are going to use a name that is exactly the same as the name of a former political party led by someone who was overtly racist in her comments and policies, then you should expect that Australians would assume you are a supporter of that person. My comment had no discriminatory tones to it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have no idea why you need to "speak out against Goodes reaction" as if he has done something wrong. The media has shown that there is a unified front in the belief that Goodes was discriminated against. You may not have any supporters of my view amongst your work colleagues but its certainly not the majority opinion.
OneNation
Guest
I work in a large manufacturing environment and I this topic has really raised eyebrows. Cannot find one person out here that supports your view. Maybe we are not so sensitive!!!
OneNation
Guest
This just goes to prove that all of you who condemn those who speak out against how Adam Goodes reacted are hypocrites. You have just discriminated against me because of a name. And for the record, NO I am not a supporter of Pauline Hanson nor will i ever be. Just used the name to prove a point. Discrimination (or perception of) is out of control.
Ray Micallef
Guest
One Nation One can safely assume judging by your name, and support of Sheek's comments that you're a fan of Pauline Hanson? If you think someone calling an indigenous person an "ape" is expressing a point of view, then you have serious problems and your ignorance, along with Sheek's, highlights the insensitivity to the issue. By the way, I dont even think Goodes made a song and dance about it.
OneNation
Guest
Sheek, I totally agree with your comments. Our nation as a whole is becoming far too sensitive when it comes to someone expressing their point of view. I was a big fan of Goodes but to make such a song and dance over a comment made by a 13yo girl is beyond belief. I put you right up there with Anthony Mundine.
edwardkelly
Guest
I remember very well the Brownlow count where Goodes took his mother to the event.I dont remembr all the beautiful well dressed WAGS or who won the Brownlow but I remember Goodes and his mum;guts.
edwardkelly
Guest
Goodes the bloke that belled the cat and stood up and said i dont like and will nor accept this crap;enough.Reminds me of a little woman name Rosa Park who refused to sit in the back of the bus and started the dismantling of segregation in America.
fadida
Guest
So it's about being macho sheek?
Matt
Guest
Who has the right sheek to determine if we are 'too soft emotionally'"? Everyone is different, and will react to things in different ways - there is no absolute value of how 'soft' or 'hard' as a society we shold be. We can have opinions on the matter, but you can't say it in an absolute sense.
Matt
Guest
Where exactly has Adam goodes condemned all of Australia??? Talk about drawing a long bw.
Matt
Guest
Spot on madMonk. Too many people believe they are able to judge what is hurtful and what is not to another person.Unles they are actually Adam Goodes, they have no idea what he was feeling or how hurtful it was to him. And that is matters. It does't matter what the person that says a comment is thinking (i.e if it wasn't mean in a racist way, if it was meant as a joke, whatever), it is the reaction of the victim that determines whether it was hurtful, racist or not. To goodes, what that girl said, and Eddie's idiocy was clearly hurtful and to him racist.
MadMonk
Guest
As one white middle aged guy to another could I respectfully suggest we have no idea what Adam Goodes might feel when he hear such comments and how many times in his life he might have had to turn the other cheek. If he chooses to respectfully call this incident out he gets my full respect. A few weeks ago there was a political and media debate about casual sexism and why women should just cop it. This debate is following similar lines where a bloc of older white guys tell the victims not to be precious. I thought Harry O'Briens comments on casual racism was important. The challenge for us as a society is not to stop saying the things we say but to stop thinking the things we think.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Perhaps, but anyone who is white in this country cannot understand how hurtful these sort of comments are.
Punter
Guest
Years ago I used a word that my homosexual friend took offence to. I do not have any issues with anyone's sexual preferences, but he was very hurt by my comment even though he knew I did not mean it. The comment was not directed at him, it was just an off the cuff comment. I know how tough he is, it took many years & many female girlfriends for him to admit his sexual preferences. Until you walk a mile in these people's shoes, it's hard to say Man up.
Ray Micallef
Roar Rookie
Sheek I completely disagree with you and your comments are actually part of the problem there is a distinct difference between casual work place banter and direct racist comments As someone of Mediterranean heritage, work colleagues had often called me "wog" in casual banter, of which I took no offense too. Ive also experienced Anglo Saxon Australians spitting at my parents in the street while telling us to"go back home you f**n wogs" Same words, completely different contexts. Goodes was racially taunted by the girl. Saying he is a bit precious is beyond ridiculous. Sledging is a completely different matter and he can obviously take it on the field because he is a true champion of the sport and has achieved so much more than what a lot of AFL players will achieve in their careers EM's comments yesterday just go beyond comprehension. Stupid comments fail to hide underlying tones of one's belief. Whether you are a 13 year old girl or the president of a footy club Your ignorance is simply part of the problem.
DD
Guest
I am insulted by peoples comments "WE ARE RACIST" SPEAK FOR YOURSELVES PLEASE Grow a set People will always do this to you it is some peoples nature unfortunately But for you to come out and say we are worse because of "larkers" is right ? They are a minority !!!. Many countries are much worse in equality then us. Go play English Football or Gridiron see how you go Adam. Tell me Adam what are you doing about drugs and alcohol use and sexual abuse and physical abuse to people in football. You have a hide to condemn all Australia Good on ya Shame on both sides :(
sheek
Roar Guru
S&T, It's not about being macho. As a society, we're too soft emotionally.
sheek
Roar Guru
Bill, That's why his reaction to htis jibe by a 13 year old girl doesn't make sense. He could have dealt with the girl right there & then & that be the end of it. And I'm a huge Goodes fan. Andrew Symonds lost the plot because Harbarjan Singh called him a monkey. Symonds' first mistake was being offended by anything Harbarjan said! I couldn't understand a tough guy like Symonds being upset by such a sledge.
Avon River
Guest
As distinct from? Are you Craig Foster?
lump
Guest
Remember when Goodesy took his mum to the brownlow count? What an absolute legend. Was it the year he won? 03 or something?