Australian of the Year

[Reaper]

^^^ bless you

 

[Calaber]

The last time I looked, being called an "ape" was an insult but it's hardly racist. And I agree with the comments that Goodes over-reacted and made a proper goose of himself. Another over-precious indigenous Australian.

@ Clair. Your group is right on the mark IMO. Recognize the little guy who works tirelessly for others but doesn't do it for self aggrandizement or fame.

 

[Trennaa]

The last time I looked, being called an "ape" was an insult but it's hardly racist. And I agree with the comments that Goodes over-reacted and made a proper goose of himself. Another over-precious indigenous Australian.

@ Clair. Your group is right on the mark IMO. Recognize the little guy who works tirelessly for others but doesn't do it for self aggrandizement or fame.

It's commonly known that calling someone an Ape is a racial slur to any 'black' person.

I totally appreciate that he should "harden up" however, why should he have too? He's going out there, on a field to achieve his dream and play football, like the rest of the players. Why should he, or any other player be subject to ANY insult (racial or nor) from a spectator? I'm not sticking up for just Goodes, I couldn't give a toss less about him, but moreso for ANY person who cops **** from a spectator while doing what you're enjoying.

Even still, if you're in your day-to-day, why shoudl you be subject to insult? its bullshit.

 

[Calaber]

It's commonly known that calling someone an Ape is a racial slur to any 'black' person.

I totally appreciate that he should "harden up" however, why should he have too? He's going out there, on a field to achieve his dream and play football, like the rest of the players. Why should he, or any other player be subject to ANY insult (racial or nor) from a spectator? I'm not sticking up for just Goodes, I couldn't give a toss less about him, but moreso for ANY person who cops **** from a spectator while doing what you're enjoying.

Even still, if you're in your day-to-day, why should you be subject to insult? its bullshit.

So it's quite fair then, to single out a child and belittle her, in front of a huge crowd? How responsible or wise were you at 14? How did you behave if you were taken to a sporting event? Are you going to tell us you knew better back then? And if you're in a crowd of adults who would also be yelling out things at the players, which is quite normal AND EXPECTED at major sporting events, what would you expect her to do? Say or do nothing?

Any major league player who goes out to play a game in front of a large, mixed crowd knows that there will be cat-calls, jeers, insults, etc, thrown at you and other players. Yes its unfortunate but true. Don't like it? Fine, play marbles then.

 

[Skydrol]

I saw something on TV this morning that made me think about the type of people that are nominated for, or win, Australian of the Year awards.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted and murdered a few years back in Qld. His parents never gave up the search for him and eventually, the offender was caught and sentenced to a long prison term. The Morcombe's sat through the entire court process every day listening to the manner in which their son was murdered and buried. Now they are supporting a movie to be made about their son's disappearance in the hope that it might make parents more aware of the risks their kids face in today's society. I wonder how many of us could do that?

Rosie Batty was awarded the Australian of the Year recently for the work she has been doing into domestic violence prevention after her son was beaten to death by his father at a cricket match. I'd say that award was very thoroughly earned.

Two years ago, an indigenous AFL player was awarded the Australian of the Year for his work in.....what, exactly? He took offence at a fourteen year old girl calling him an ape during a game, and had her evicted. He's obviously done more than that, but that incident is the one for which he will probably be best remembered (and for all the wrong reasons). I'll plead ignorance here as I don't have a clue what else that person (probably safer not to name him) has done to be recognised.

When are we going to stop awarding high profile sportspersons from these awards when people like the Morcombe's and Rosie Batty show true fortitude and strength of character after suffering the most appalling loss in the hope that their experience can help prevent others suffering similarly. To me, they are the true Australians of the Year.

Comments?

I cannot speak for Aussie awards but I do know that 2 people in the USA got a Nobel Peace Prize for doing nothing to deserve it.

For what I see, lately, all these awards are losing their meaning by giving to people as an "attaboy"; some to say they are now part of the drinking club.

Any major league player who goes out to play a game in front of a large, mixed crowd knows that there will be cat-calls, jeers, insults, etc, thrown at you and other players. Yes its unfortunate but true. Don't like it? Fine, play marbles then.

Well said.

 

[TwoHeads]

What was disappointing about the Adam Goodes "ape" saga was that it occurred on the first game of the Indigenous Round of the AFL. Goodes stated that he heard the slur, pointed to where it came from, and then realised it was a young girl. He did offer his support to the girl after the game, and didn't blame her for her actions considering her age, nor want to press charges.

The MCG staff acted poorly too, escorting the girl from the ground alone, and not allowing her family to accompany her.

I do agree about the Australian of the Year award though, that I why I much prefer to read the blurb about the "Local Hero" nominees for the Australian of the Year awards.

 

[Trennaa]

So it's quite fair then, to single out a child and belittle her, in front of a huge crowd? How responsible or wise were you at 14? How did you behave if you were taken to a sporting event? Are you going to tell us you knew better back then? And if you're in a crowd of adults who would also be yelling out things at the players, which is quite normal AND EXPECTED at major sporting events, what would you expect her to do? Say or do nothing?

Any major league player who goes out to play a game in front of a large, mixed crowd knows that there will be cat-calls, jeers, insults, etc, thrown at you and other players. Yes its unfortunate but true. Don't like it? Fine, play marbles then.

####ing lol. Because I disagree with your opinion and point of view, makes it personal?

It's fair to single out a child and belittle her? Not ONCE did I say that, please, do not put words in my mouth.
How responsible/wise was I at 14? f'd if I know, that was 14 years ago - I will assume about as responsible and wise as you.
How did you behave if you were taken to a sporting event? Can't really comment, I don't believe I was ever taken to one at that age, but I sure as **** wouldn't have yelled out anything towards the players, calling them names (don't come at the "the girl didnt know ape was a bad thing" direction. How could ape be GOOD!?)
Are you going to tell us you knew better back then? (see above).
And if you're in a crowd of adults who would also be yelling out things at the players, which is quite normal AND EXPECTED at major sporting events, what would you expect her to do? Say or do nothing? Hmm.. I don't recall anyone else actually being ejected from the crowd for the same behaviour. And trust me, if a bunch of adults were "yelling" things at the players, im confident to assume said girl would have been overpowered by the volume of adults.

Mate, don't make this personal. I too have an opinion.

 

[Calaber]

####ing lol. Because I disagree with your opinion and point of view, makes it personal?

It's fair to single out a child and belittle her? Not ONCE did I say that, please, do not put words in my mouth.
How responsible/wise was I at 14? f'd if I know, that was 14 years ago - I will assume about as responsible and wise as you.
How did you behave if you were taken to a sporting event? Can't really comment, I don't believe I was ever taken to one at that age, but I sure as **** wouldn't have yelled out anything towards the players, calling them names (don't come at the "the girl didnt know ape was a bad thing" direction. How could ape be GOOD!?)
Are you going to tell us you knew better back then? (see above).
And if you're in a crowd of adults who would also be yelling out things at the players, which is quite normal AND EXPECTED at major sporting events, what would you expect her to do? Say or do nothing? Hmm.. I don't recall anyone else actually being ejected from the crowd for the same behaviour. And trust me, if a bunch of adults were "yelling" things at the players, im confident to assume said girl would have been overpowered by the volume of adults.

Mate, don't make this personal. I too have an opinion.

This thread didn't start out with the intention of bagging one particular footballer but it's headed that way. It was intended to seek opinions about whether high profile sportspersons were suitable nominees or recipients for a significant award. I don't think Goodes is a good example because of that incident, you apparently disagree with my view. OK, we'll leave it at that.

 

[Trennaa]

I am happy with your response

 

[Pub247]

Personally i dont think morcombes family deserve australian of the year. Australians of the year dont drop they're kids off under a bridge in basically middle of nowhere near a **** hole called nambour full of junkies. At a place i wouldnt call a bus stop.

Real parents would have drove all the way into nambour which is 10 minutes away or directly to the plaza maybe 15 minutes