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All those who were nominated for the ‘Australian of the Year’ were amazing individuals, it goes without saying, however Adam Goodes was the most deserving.
And, in a way, it should prompt us all to reexamine our attitudes and reflect on what makes Australia great and how we can make it better.
Growing up in Melbourne I learnt about how Aboriginal people have a very long and proud history in this great land.
However, I had no idea that my attitudes and knowledge in regards to all things Indigenous had such serious shortcomings.
Safe to say for many of us the most recognisable Indigenous people in Australia are predominately sports men and women.
Being a sports-mad youngster who played every sport under the sun, I naturally admired their grace and amazing sporting talent.
What I didn’t/don’t admire is the manner in which these amazing Australians at both the professional and local level (as I moved away from the comfort of Melbourne) are often denigrated with abuse.
I have witnessed some horrific racism on and off the sports field, which obviously has no place and for which there can be no excuse.
Australia’s psyche is so intrinsically linked to its rich sporting culture; a culture that makes us world beaters, but a culture that is still yet to shake off its prejudices and acknowledge the past.
People have gone out of the way to question the validity of awarding Australian of the year to a ‘sportsman’.
When Pat Rafter was named, it barley caused a stir. When our many crickets were named everyone said bravo!
It is truly ordinary at best that people would find it so hard to congratulate Adam Goodes on all the amazing work he has done in the many communities around Australia, while also bringing into the light the scourge of racism that still unfortanetely exists.
Congradulation Adam, you are an amazing Australian who stands up for what is good and decent in this great country we all call home.
Here’s hoping we all celebrate the amazing contribution that Indigenous people have made to sport.
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