The debate concerning sledging on and around the sports field continues. In the perfect world there would be no sledging.
We don’t live in a perfect world and the reality is that since mankind has walked upright on two legs and entered into competitive activities against one another, there has always been attempts to bend the rules and take any psychological advantage that can be gained.
Sledging is one of those behaviours.
Sledging was occurring on a regular basis long before a chubby Shane Warne greeted his South African ‘rabbit’, Daryll Cullinan arrival at the crease with: “I’ve been waiting two years for another chance to humiliate you”.
Cullinan replied “Looks like you spent it eating”.
What we call racism in sport is simply a form of sledging and I see little difference between someone calling another player weak and commenting on someone’s racial background.
They are as bad as one another and are simply un-acceptable. Banning microphones on the field to prevent any such comment reaching the ears of the general public will not stop it from happening. It will simply mean that the fans won’t hear it.
The evidence suggests that, in this politically correct world, comments such as above, are assessed at significantly different levels.
Sure, the AFL contacted GWS concerning Heath Shaw’s sledge on Tom Papley, but upon Shaw’s apology, the AFL chose to take no further action.
I very much doubt that it would have been left there if the sledge had involved a comment in relation to the race or background of the opponent.
Those hearing such remarks, in today’s world, hopefully recognise that, be they players or spectators, they are coming from ignorant, insensitive and stupid people. Education is the only answer.
Stewie
Guest
But yeah, this article would've done a lot better to convince me of the author's point by elaborating on this bit: "I see little difference between someone calling another player weak and commenting on someone’s racial background. They are as bad as one another and are simply un-acceptable." Give the reasons why there is no difference, and make the reader think. Sorry, I'm a philosophy student, can you tell? :P
Stewie
Guest
Ok, let's get down some commonly agreed upon points: 1. There isn't just "sledging" in and of itself. It comes in many ways, and many forms. 2. Are any of these forms acceptable? I would argue yes. You're out on the field trying to be better than the other guys. You're bound to tell them that you're better than them, and the "target" should have the emotional resilience to handle talk like that. 3. Some of these forms are not acceptable. Family, sexual orientation, race, etc should not be mentioned. To me it seems like common sense, although clearly it isn't to some. 4. These points can be viewed on a vague spectrum, with "I'm better than you, you suck" types of calls on one end, and "you're a monkey" on the other. Some types of sledging fall into those shades of gray areas in the middle. The response from the moral police of society (and by this I mean anyone who puts an opinion on social media) to these will change with the times. But should those 50/50 calls be determined by facebook and twitter? That's a different debate, and one which could actually be interesting to have.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Sledging isn't a traditional part of cricket, in England for example Brian Close ,because he was from a working class background and a professional instead of being a gentleman amateur, which also might explain how he was re picked at 45 to open the innings against the West Indies with Roberts and Holding,in the old days he was suspended while playing for the professionals against the gentleman amateurs because he called one of them by their first name when congratulating them. Imagine in those days what would have happened if one of the current foul mouths attempted sledging in those days, they might have been locked up.
Seano
Roar Rookie
Racism = picking on someone for something that cant be changed. Sledging = picking on someone because of how they act or choices they make or untrue stories. Massive difference.
Wayne
Roar Guru
We don't need "safe spaces" on sporting field. Society will still call out the stuff that goes too far.
me too
Roar Rookie
hmm, being grabbed in an aggressive, dangerous headlock = no worries. verbally abusing said agressor = shame on you! what a weird world we are living in. i played sport all my life and never sledged, but never minded if my opponent did - why would I, words only have power over you if let them. They are a weak form of combat, quite often rather pathetic, but quite often funny. I'd much rather we teach people resilience, than teach them to take offence.Their is a balance, a line that can be crossed, but the author would have that line drawn far too heavily inside a fair margin. Such extremist viewpoints make we wonder about the reasoning ability of people, and their ability to live and let live.
Ray
Guest
About time people take some cement pills, wipe away the tears and stop breaking their neck to be to-days biggest victim.
Aransan
Guest
A friend told me that sledging in cricket came from baseball, I must admit I don't like it but I think it would be ridiculous to attempt to stop it. I can remember an opponent in a tennis match over 50 years ago trying it on me, I refused to take it and I hope we don't see it in that sport. The author is diminishing the act of racism by equating it with sledging. As far as I am concerned I have no problem with what Shaw said, the problem was that it was picked up by the microphone and broadcast. There are some things which shouldn't be said and this becomes even more difficult to deal with in international sport with different cultures, but to ban sledging outright would be to take political correctness too far.