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.

[izabsmiling]

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. 

that's true....racism is racism 

[daydream**believer]

Eddie is an idiot. Always has been and always will be

[katydidthat]

With respect, Freddie, and everyone ... I think ignoring racism makes it appear more "respectable".  I think we need to speak out against it MORE.  I think we need to tell everyone that it is NOT acceptable.  

[izabsmiling]

With respect, Freddie, and everyone ... I think ignoring racism makes it appear more "respectable".  I think we need to speak out against it MORE.  I think we need to tell everyone that it is NOT acceptable.  

I agree .We need to get the message out that it isn't acceptable in this day and age .

[azureline**]

Not giving it media attention as in the current cases, would make it less acceptable.... less able to be justified, imo.

[freddie*rooster]

It's not just racial indifference, there is wealth division in all cultures, those who can afford better health care in Australia are treated differently, and it goes on and on. It's not all about racism when it comes to class division and the them and us.

[izabsmiling]

Not giving it media attention as in the current cases, would make it less acceptable.... less able to be justified, imo.

does that apply to all negative things then ?

[azureline**]

why wouldn't it?

[katydidthat]

Az, do you remember the good old days when we had journalists of integrity? 

[lurker17260]

Greencat, I'm not sure how you can say:

My son is part aboriginal and I have to say he has never been the target of any type of racism either at school or anywhere else

yet at the same time say:

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

I apologise if I have misunderstood what you meant, but that sure sounds like blatant racism to me. Perhaps we don't always like to label things as they really are?