The Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round of the AFL season is fast approaching this weekend.
There will be a great deal of goodwill, reflection and celebration of what Indigenous Australians have brought the game, as well as many wonderful new jumpers.
However, with the upcoming release of two documentaries that will shine light on the Adam Goodes booing saga, it is worth reflecting on some moments the AFL – and large numbers of fans – have got wrong in the recent past.
Scroll through any post on social media about Adam Goodes and you will see plenty of criticism. Comments range from his playing for free kicks, his polarising acceptance speech for winning the Australian of the Year Award in 2014, many references to him being a sook, and of course that incident with the young Collingwood supporter.
Regardless of what led to it, Goodes’ actions at that particular moment were not a good look. Of course, because of that, many in the general public never gave him the freedom to be upset, nor did they try to understand what the insult meant to an Indigenous Australian.
“Suck it up”, they said. “You’re a grown man”.
None of his critics, however, talked about the leadership he showed after the incident, especially the conversation he had with the girl in question.
In Round 9, 2015 – that year’s Indigenous Round – Goodes kicked a goal against Carlton and ran toward a section of Blues fans, performing a dance a young group of Indigenous people had taught him that week. If there had been any ambiguity amongst viewers about his intent, it should have been obliterated when Goodes himself explained in a post-game interview what his dance meant.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
At this point, the booing of Goodes was only sporadic.
Goodes was criticised in many quarters, partly for throwing invisible spears in the dance. The message was that we can have Indigenous celebrations, but only if white Australia approves exactly how and when.
It seems odd that in Indigenous Round, an Indigenous player doing an Indigenous war dance would be told not to.
At that stage, looking back, white Australia was comfortable with Indigenous Round, just so long as they controlled the narrative.
Despite the manipulation of history that has since happened, it was after this moment the booing of Goodes intensified – the exact moment he exited his designated place as a passenger to the narrative, not a contributor to it.
Speaking of controlling the narrative, readers will remember Heritier Lumumba.
Perhaps not? I’ll make it easier then: Harry O’Brien.
His departing speech to Collingwood in 2014 became infamous because he explained that his real name, Heritier Lumumba, meant that he was “gifted”.
Much like with Adam Goodes, Lumumba’s words and actions were twisted by the public. No one seems to remember that the entirety of his speech was him thanking the Collingwood Football Club for everything they had given him.
This context explains the pride he had in his real name, and that Collingwood had given him such pride.
“No”, so many said. “It’s Harry O’Brien”.
What was an almost impossibly humble speech was manipulated into an arrogant one because, like Goodes, when a black person speaks about their own culture, some of us don’t hear what they say, but decide what they said. The ultimate control of narrative.
Then last year, former Gold Coast Sun Joel Wilkinson made a public statement that he had experienced “gross racism” during his time in the AFL that went well beyond the heckling he received from an opponent in a high-profile incident.
Despite claiming he had endured rights violations such as “religious vilification and racially motivated sexual harassment”, the general public mocked him as well. He was labelled a liar and a money-seeker.
Like Goodes and Lumumba, the theme was the same. Always judge and criticise, but never listen. The AFL barely mustered a public comment on the topic.
While the AFL braces for the public reaction to the documentaries, many will be bracing for the ugly backlash that will come – like always – when minorities speak about their negative experiences in this country.
Sadly, some fans will air racist views again.
The Indigenous Round is tremendous for its celebration of Indigenous culture. But we must not forget why such a round is necessary in the first place.
Nolzie
Roar Rookie
So let me get this straight.. It is deemed by yourself and others like you that it is okay for the Haka to be performed because "never direct it at the crowd. Never." Logic then follows that if they did direct it at the crowd, they should then expect the same level of booing that Goodes received for his 'war dance' right? Because it is "aggressive towards the crowd" and "confrontational"? What about other players that are 'aggressive towards the crowd' or 'confrontational', fingers to the crowd, shushing gestures, screaming in the faces of fans? Should they also be subjected to weeks of booing?
westernred
Mundine was talking this rubbish when other Indigenous players were selected and the head of selections was Aboriginal legend Artie Beetson
westernred
Why is this such an issue in AFL whereas Indigenous players are genuinely loved and idolized in the NRL?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
That is a simple performance for the crowd. It has nothing to do with what I was talking about and you know it. Furthermore, this is not one of the primary two reasons for why the Haka is performed. There's a reason Rotorua is called Rotovegas - plenty of examples of this happening for the tourists. I'll repeat: the Haka is never directed at the crowd by the All Blacks. Never!
Davico
Roar Pro
Well it is sure not being directed at the opposition is it??? Or don't you get that?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I honestly don't know if you are just simple or simply being a wa$ker. All that shows is the Haka being performed in front of a crowd, not directed 'at' the crowd or a particular section of it. Do you understand the difference?
Davico
Roar Pro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cguS7I962Gs Better?
JamesH
Roar Guru
Schoolyard stuff. Classy.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It was a war dance. End of discussion. The footage clearly shows it directed at Carlton fans, at the SCG of all places. End of discussion. You are nothing more than a liar.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Thanks for making my point. You've managed to link a video showing a bunch of league players performing the Haka in a carpark. At no stage is it directed at the crowd. Good job champ.
penguin
Roar Rookie
Your article is well meaning but it has a number of serious errors. The Goodes booing occurred far earlier then 2015, from mid 2013 onwards. I attended every Swans home game and many away games and it became normalised after Eddie's comments in mid 2013. Originally I think that it was partly a joke, but then it became as much about bullying as about racism. It was obvious that it affected both Adam and the Swans so it continued. It became more racist throughout 2014 after Goodes was named Australian of the Year. His speech in January 2014 was that of a proud Indigenous man upholding his culture. But it became part of the newly reinstated culture wars, and was politicised by the Murdoch press opinion writers. Goodes was an ambassador for the Australian Human Rights Commission, and was roundly supported by Gillian Triggs, amongst others. I also remember the outcries from the alt_Right websites, and the racist memes that followed. The worst example I saw was at a pub in Balmain during the 2014 GF. My family and I could not get tickets to travel to Melbourne. The Hawks destroyed us. Yet there were several Hawks supporters who constantly booed Goodes in that game in the pub, one calling him a "vicious dog". When I asked him "why". his answer was that he was a dirty backsniper who played for frees and slid in knees first. What codswallop! Throughout 2014 and 2015 Goodes was subjected to the worst racism against an individual that I have ever seen. It was systemic bullying, with only the Swans coming out in support of Adam. The AFL was complicitly silent, as was the Melbourne media. And not once was Adam Goodes cited or suspended. Why did this happen? Partly because of the times - the free speech warriors and the "It's ok to be a bigot" idiocy. Partly because of the rise of the alt-Right and its influence on social media. Partly because of the weakness of the AFL hierarchy in not calling it out. Much because of the blatant bigotry of News Ltd, Sky and its followers. But mainly because here was a proud man speaking out for his people and we Australians didn't like the truth that he was telling us, or to be reminded of our past treatment of Aborigines. I can't do anything about what happened in the past, but I can try to change the future and I can help Adam and the GO Foundation make a better life for our indigenous kids. And I can call out racism when I see it, which is often. And to change the future you have to understand the past.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
You're on the money Viv - no one has ever booed Eddie Betts, or ever will. I've always believed Goodes' booing was directed at the bloke - not his skin colour ! Enough of this grandstanding, let's get on with the footy !
JamesH
Roar Guru
Lying? This is downright hilarious now. He literally ran towards the nearest boundary - surprise surprise, the forward pocket - after kicking a goal. Other players do exactly that week in, week out, pumping their fists and yelling, even shushing the crowd or some other antagonistic gesture. Would you have expected Goodes to turn around and run to the wing on the other side? As for Commetti, he had an opinion on something he saw from the commentary box. Goodes - the guy who actually did the dance - explained what was behind it and that he wasn't aiming it at anyone in particular. It doesn't matter how respected Cometti is. If you're choosing to believe him over Goodes himself, then again, you're just selecting what you want to hear to suit your own narrative. I mean, stop and think about how arrogant that thought process is. "I don't believe Goodes' explanation for his own dance because Cometti had a different opinion on it." Breathtaking. I never said it was a war dance, BTW. You're good at jumping to unsubstantiated conclusions, I'll give you that. And you still haven't explained why the rest of the comp felt the need to subsequently boo on behalf of a handful of outraged Carlton supporters - probably because there is no rational explanation for it.
Davico
Roar Pro
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/watch-all-blacks-sevens-sign-off-victorious-world-cup-campaign-passionate-haka Nuff said!
Drinkinmybabygoodbye
Guest
It’s all your fault white boy , everything is your fault. NOW ! Back to work so you can pay for their houses , cars , cats , dogs , cigarettes and beer .
Peter Warrington
Guest
1. I am sorry these things happened to you 2. How can you get the bomb past the censors? 3. Who is your "we"?
Lroy
Guest
I went to footy games almost every week from 1976 to 1982 to watch West Perth in the WAFL. Saw a few Eagles games in the early 1990's when I was there intermittently. Saw a lot of Lions games at the Gabba from 1996-1999 and saw games at Windy Hill and the G on a couple of occasions. I never heard anyone once say anything that could be remotely termed racist toward Aboriginal players. I also grew up with Aboriginals in the Kimberlys, had chewing gum shoved into my hair, forced to fight a kid I didnt even know and was told I wasnt welcome in certain parts of school but since i was a white kid with blonde hair in a school of 200 full blood Aboriginal kids that would still make me a racist oppressor right? Played footy in Perth against some sides almost fully comprised of Aboriginal players, and even though me or my teamates never sledged them or called them names that didnt stop them calling all of us ''white cunts'' .. but that was ok because we deserved it right? I guess we should just admit the fact we exist means we are racist bigots... do you propose we do the Cersie Lannister walk of shame ?
Kangas
Guest
Adam Goodes is not a migrant or a foreigner.
Kangas
Guest
From my experience as a player, coach and spectator, there is still a massive amount of racism in Aussie rules footy . .the bogan mentality is huge in afl .
Mark
Guest
That’s your choice to focus on a few suspensions and getting upset about an invisible spear/boomerang rather than football achievements.