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.

[icyfroth]

I can't believe Eddie either, thinks he's a comedian!

[2106greencat]

In addition, I have seen reverse racism and been on the receiving end.

My ex husbands family had no respect for me and basically treated me like dirt. They did not like that he was with a white girl. 😞

And shamefully - my own father would not recognise my son as his grandson WTF ?

It is a sad world when it comes to trivial petty spite within family's.

[cherry*135]

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. 

Yes, he was thinking that but didn't mean to say it on air, which doesn't make it OK at all.

I am not a racist but is usually followed by a racist comment, not that the person saying/typing it would admit it, or  even recognise that it is.

[just_me_karen]

Greencat, I don't think there's any such thing as reverse racism. The example you gave is just racism... it doesn't matter who says/does/implies something that is derogatory to another race, it's just racism. 

[2106greencat]

True, I didn't look at it like that. 🙂

[freddie*rooster]

There is racism in all cultures, until we all learn to ignore and not give it the attention it receives it will continue to be an issue.

[catsnknots]

I don't see it a racism.. I see it as being rude... who in their right mind would say that about anyone? Would anyone here like to be compared with King Kong??? I don't think so.. 

It is like being called a beach whale if you are on the beach and are not a size 10... or being called a skeleton if you are a size 10... 

It is not being a racist.... it is closer to being a bully. 

I have never liked Eddie... what he said did not surprise me... 

[azureline**]

There is racism in all cultures, until we all learn to ignore and not give it the attention it receives it will continue to be an issue.

yes... agree.

[j*oono]

Can you imagine the uproar if someone in the media in the United States made the same comment about Oprah Winfrey?

Australia has a way to go.

[izabsmiling]

There is racism in all cultures, until we all learn to ignore and not give it the attention it receives it will continue to be an issue.

Freddy, I don't understand why and how that would work? Racism against Indigenous Australians has existed since European man arrived.It HAD to be accepted then...now through change ,through learning and people fighting for the right to be seen as equal there is less of it .It still exists though...and now we all know (as the Law acknowledges ) that it is wrong.Why should it be ignored and how does that change anything ? It only breeds resentment imo