I am wondering why we trivialise indigenous racism in Australia?

[i-need-a-martini]

Adam Goodes has copped it twice this week - once from a kid and then by an adult who should know better.

I feel so ashamed of this country at this moment. I am sick of hearing a sentence start with "I am not racist but..." before the person launches into a race based attack on indigenous people (or Asians. Or Muslims).

What I have found the most interesting about the Goodes incident is how many people made excuses that made him look like the antagonist. Almost as if making racist remarks about indigenous people is no big deal. Treating him as if his feelings, his views (and everything about him) is unimportant. And I am staggered at how many people know so little about the history of racism a history that so many generations of indigenous people have had to go through.

And now Eddie Mcquire has shown us that racist comments against indigenous people is lurking just on the tips of our tongues waiting to be blurted out without refrain. 

I can't help but agree with this: One of the most savage responses to McGuire came from Magpies backman Harry O'Brien, who admonished his president, declaring he was ''extremely disappointed''. ''In my opinion race relations in this country is systematically a national disgrace,'' he said. 
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/eddie-offers-to-stand-aside-20130529-2nc63.html

I agree with that last line - it is a national disgrace.

[meh_too]

I heard a lot of white Australians (and one highly visible one in particular) say how conscious they were of never letting racism take a foothold. But while their sentiment is welcome and important, it shouldn’t be exceptional. And while their hearts are without doubt in the right place, I know that none of them were ever refused a ride in a cab because of the colour of their skin.

My OH was a cab driver for years, he never did refuse a fare because of the colour of anyones skin, although he did refuse because of their inability to pay the fare.  Why should he work for nothing?

[cueperkins]

Sadly, Mandawuy Yunupingu, has passed away overnight....I'm still in shock

This is one of the first tributes...so sad, feel miserable, he was only 56y.o.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/former-yothu-yindi-frontman-mandawuy-yunupingu-dies/4728518

[nero_bolt]

Totally agree this has now gone beyond a joke... time everyone moved on 

[izabsmiling]

Nero Wulf, you never did answer my question way back at the start of this thread .

what did you mean when you said 

'us normal people ' ?