It’s been two weeks since Peter V’landys U-turned on the idea of scrapping the national anthem from State Origin.
Predictably fierce and sometimes visceral discussion ensued, but I hope that at least some of the rawer, basest emotions surrounding such a decision have subsided to allow for a more reasoned discussion.
This is a sports website, and I’m not writing a polemic about Indigenous rights. I promise this article relates to rugby league in a meaningful way – just bear with me.
Also remember that me being a ‘bloody Pom’ should not preclude my opinion. I may have lived in Australia for only a few months, but I am applying for postgraduate political study in Australia with an emphasis on Indigenous politics – should the borders ever reopen, or if a kind Roarer is willing to accept a marriage proposal.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
We’re told the reason for V’landys’s reverse ferret was a phone call from the Prime Minister, who emphasised the need for unity and a pick-me-up after an unimaginably horrendous year.
Much as I like to deride Morrison’s Adam Sandler/waterboy impersonation, I think he’s got a point.
Sport is meant to be an escape from the everyday, a chance to forget about the troubles of the world – the mortgage, the crumbling relationship, the rising price of pies. It’s also an opportunity to come together and celebrate. Origin is a national event and thus befitting of the national anthem.
There is controversy and a distaste for certain lyrics in the anthem – “young and free” is not exactly befitting of a people dating back 60,000 odd years. There’s also the wider issue of Indigenous disadvantage, continued discrimination and a lack of constitutional recognition.
Whether or not the lyrics should be changed or how the aforementioned problems should be solved is above my paygrade, but players have the right to make their voices heard. The issue should be about changing the lyrics (or not) and improving the country so that these players feel proud enough to sing its anthem, not removing the anthem from the national psyche altogether.
If players decide not to sing the anthem or to boycott it, that is their prerogative. The idea that it ruins the sporting spectacle is for the birds. You’re not being stopped from singing the anthem, and it’s not as if Cody Walker will fashion himself into a glorious position, find space out wide and then halt his advance to lecture Suncorp Stadium about the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
More pertinently, the anthem debate is symptomatic of the wider discussion about the Indigenous community and rugby league. The NRL likes to celebrate its commitment to inclusion, equality and all the other buzzwords. Indigenous and Pasifika players make up an increasing proportion of the player pool, and one need only compare to the controversies of the AFL for a sense of self-satisfied smugness.
But there is a limit to such cerebral tones. If the NRL attacked racism like Dan Andrews attacks people with a cough, if club boards were representative of the communities from which they draw their support, or of money were funnelled into Indigenous programmes, the problems that caused such unbalance and wrongdoing would still exist.
That’s not to say these things shouldn’t happen, but we should be wary of the ability of rugby league or any sport to enact meaningful change by itself. It is, ironically, the inclusion of the national anthem that offers the best hope for wider public cut-through.
If the anthem were to be binned to appease insensitivities, it would bring about cacophonous outrage from the usual suspects and a fair degree of backlash from the game’s supporters. Removal from Origin pomp and ceremony would not bring about material change, only derision and ostracisation from the shouty voices of society.
But with silent protest by some of the most well-known and beloved people in the country, the utilisation of the “free” part inherent in Australian society, the freedom to protest, there exists the possibility of bringing about meaningful dialogue. If players make their voices heard by, ironically by remaining silent, it is far more likely to start a conversation than police statistics, Guardian op-eds or induced tokenism.
Indigenous campaigner Rachel Perkins spoke of a “two-way mirror” with constitutional recognition – “We acknowledge you, you acknowledge us. We become one,”
If, despite protest, the anthem is acknowledged by Indigenous players, then the wider game must acknowledge their rightful concerns. It is only then that the process towards becoming one can truly begin.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
As a Tasmanian, with local indigenous friends, I think you need check your facts regarding so called “successful genocide” of Aborigines here. Don’t rely on everything you read in books, or on the web, it shows up in your blogs.
Womblat
Guest
Stay there. I wouldn't know what you've posted for years and couldn't care less where you live. You aren't anywhere near important enough for me to care. I also couldn't care less sing or don't sing. But I won't stand by and watch a hateful coward, especially overseas, deride people who choose to sing an anthem I bled for, as my father did, and his father did. No wonder you ran.
Nick
Roar Guru
Lol.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
You really have confirmed your 5 star status as a hippocrit there obtuse gooose. You talk reason ? Yet you’ve accused me of being a raycist, referred to me as a pelican and made one of your typical spurious claims about me ranting about free speech. All in response to someone else’s question. Your father should have left you on the sheets, you’re a waste of space.
Nick
Roar Guru
@TB Yeah, every single time you think they can be reasoned with....BOOM!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I take it back...
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
If you honestly believe that anything will ever change , I think you may have be deceived yourself. The only difference in where black fellas were 40 yrs ago , and now , is the size of the government departments ( allegedly ) making a difference.
Nick
Roar Guru
Good for you. I'll stick with mine as an Australian... the one that actually counts for something globally and the entity that issues my passport.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
In my opinion this is all a big con job . My sprinkler insertion above is a cynical dig at how the government has convinced a considerable percentage of the population that they are now responsible for the things that in the past we paid the government to do and the problems the government has itself created . We have water shortages due to overpopulation and a lack of infrastructure to cope with it , so as a result we now have members of the public spying on each other , and the government punishing the public for their own deficiencies. I know I’ve gone off on a tangent there but it’s alll relevant. The government and the wealthy persecuted the indigenous, and now they profit from there own destructive past . Thousand of white people were forcibly transported to Australia by the same people , many died , many were murdered , many were beaten , raped , tortured and enslaved , but never a word spoken in their defence.... because there’s no industry to create on the back of it . Nothing will ever change old boy , you’ve just been hoodwinked into thinking it will and that you can be part of that change . Just to clarify... just because I don’t agree with you or anybody else , that doesn’t qualify me as a ray cist , it just says that I don’t think the same as you .
matth
Roar Guru
Is there some law about an organisation changing the words of the anthem when they play it? If it's played enough times with "Proud and Free" or "One and Free" something similar, maybe the words will just .... change. And then we can start to work on "Girt".
matth
Roar Guru
Hmmm a house anthem. I'm thinking for my lot "The Joker" and the Thief in the night ... But maybe my personal anthem would be "Tired of Toe-ing the Line"
Albo
Roar Rookie
Bugger ! Well the Zappa singalong didn't work !
Nick
Roar Guru
Previous coach Michael Chieka, from Lebanese descent, went to a Rugby League School, Marcellin College Randwick, would not have selected players who would not sing. Clearly a comment about his opinion on the anthem.
matth
Roar Guru
I'll stick with my identity as a Queenslander, thanks.
Hazzard
Roar Rookie
"shut up" “Freedom of speech” that you consistently harp on about is a two way street. Of which you obviously have no idea about....
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
And for as long as we maintain our current anthem, I shall continue to mute my tv for that portion of the broadcast.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Definitely the two worst national anthems in the world are advance Australia fair and God save the queen – the ‘queen’ will taste death at some point like every other living creature and she is certainly not special that anyone should expect otherwise and Australia is not young, it is home to the oldest surviving culture on the planet.
Nick
Roar Guru
I live in Singapore you pelican.I've said that many times for 3 years now. Not my first stint overseas either. You learn perspective living away from home. One thing you learn is how pathetic people are when they get into people for not signing the lyrics to the anthem. Why you waste so much energy stalking me about this is really a question only you can answer.
Nick
Roar Guru
Fair enough.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m working on a house anthem with my missus and kids that we’ll sing every morning, twice on xmas and force guests to sing at family BBQs. If they don’t like it they can leave...