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.

[cueperkins]

[the_great_she_elephant]

Not the same thing Martini. You should know that. A kid would likely call anyone with beard or hairy an Ape. It's rude. Doesn't make it racist. 

It depends who they say it to. I have often heard kids say to each other 'You're a spaz!' meaning nothing more than ;your acting dumb.' Would that make it OK for those same kids to tell a child suffering from cerebral palsy 'You're a spaz'?

[the_bob_delusion]

Not the same thing Martini. You should know that. A kid would likely call anyone with beard or hairy an Ape. It's rude. Doesn't make it racist. 

It depends who they say it to. I have often heard kids say to each other 'You're a spaz!' meaning nothing more than ;your acting dumb.' Would that make it OK for those same kids to tell a child suffering from cerebral palsy 'You're a spaz'?

Obviously calling someone that with cerebral palsy is rude and insensitive. 

[poddster]

I find it refreshing, that even in this day and age that a lot of people from many and varied cultural backgrounds are not as "precious" as the would be legislators would have us all believe. Most people have the ability to gauge if a comment is meant to be derogatory and act accordingly without legislation laying down the rules.

Fortunately the majority of people from other cultures are not the "precious" type although there are exceptions to every rule.

I have found that some people from the land where "racism and political correctness' originated are the worst at taking offence without even the slightest provocation.

A lot of those people have no sense of humour when it comes to their patriotism or their lifestyle.

On the flipside of that there are those that have a great sense of humour when it comes to their origin.

I have a very dear friend from Japan, Lili, studying at the university who is just one of that category. She drives a bright yellow Toyota and has named it "The Yellow Peril".

Her normal greeting, said in an exaggerated Japanese accent and with a cheesy grin is "Herro Cobra"

It is delightful to see that there are those who resist the "Racial and Political Correctness" that is being attempted to be force fed to us all.

[freakiness]

Not the same thing Martini. You should know that. A kid would likely call anyone with beard or hairy an Ape. It's rude. Doesn't make it racist. 

Say "You should be gassed" is not an innocent comment. Not the same comparison. You should know that.

People are confusing being rude vs being racists.

With Eddy, being tasteless vs being racist.

When I see racism. I look at intent.

That's what you see not the way the people who have spoken out see it.

And that's the whole point. We white folk are not looked at in terms of race everyday whereas some other folk do get sniggers and insults do.

[cherry*135]

That's what you see not the way the people who have spoken out see it.

And that's the whole point. We white folk are not looked at in terms of race everyday whereas some other folk do get sniggers and insults do.

I agree, that is the whole point.

[i-need-a-martini]

Not the same thing Martini. You should know that. A kid would likely call anyone with beard or hairy an Ape. It's rude. Doesn't make it racist. 

Say "You should be gassed" is not an innocent comment. Not the same comparison. You should know that.

People are confusing being rude vs being racists.

With Eddy, being tasteless vs being racist.

When I see racism. I look at intent.

You have missed my point bob.

The fact is that the term is racist. Whether people know it is racist or not is beside the point.

The fact is that they NOW know it IS racist to apply the term to an indigenous man and yet they continue to make excuses as to why it isn't racist and try to justify why the issue isn't a big deal.

The reason that I used the example I did above is that even if someone who didn't know fully the history of the Jewish people, they would admit they made a mistake and back off immediately once it is was explained to them. Why aren't we affording the same respect to Goodes/indigenous people.

Why aren't they going "OK Goodes. I didn't know that before. But I do now. I understand why you are upset." Instead they are telling him to get over it. That an ape is an ape. And even though it may have once had an historical reference, that history is meaningless today. 

We have people, and you are doing it now, who NOW understand the implications of the term and are still trivialising it. I'm not saying you are making excuses for the young girl. I am saying you are trivialising the term. Even though I am sure you now know what it means to someone of Goodes heritage.

Putting the issue of whether the 13yo knew or not, knowing what you now know do you still think it is acceptable to call him an ape because he has a beard? Do you still think it is rudeness rather than racism? Even after all the kerfuffle you think that someone likening him to a fictional gorilla is simply tasteless and not racism?

[the_bob_delusion]

The fact is that the term is racist. Whether people know it is racist or not is beside the point.

The fact is that they NOW know it IS racist to apply the term to an indigenous man and yet they continue to make excuses as to why it isn't racist and try to justify why the issue isn't a big deal.

Putting the issue of whether the 13yo knew or not, knowing what you now know do you still think it is acceptable to call him an ape because he has a beard? Do you still think it is rudeness rather than racism? Even after all the kerfuffle you think that someone likening him to a fictional gorilla is simply tasteless and not racism?

Not It's not a fact, you monkey. The term is NOT racist. It may be considered racist in certain context. 

I'm an ape, you're an ape. We're all apes. I have no problem with that. You have to realise some of us look more like apes than others. Stop throwing out the word FACT when we ARE all apes. 

I look at intent. That 13yr old is to ignorant to know about aboriginal Hx to know why Ape would be considered racist. 

Racist, implies hate and discrimination. Being ignorant is not a sin. Get your facts straight. 

[joz*garage]

bit light, but, i hope McGuire gets the arrrrs over it, could never stand him

[cueperkins]

The Kinks - APEMAN...hehehehe  (was it racist then? or just a different message?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg2qDQKfe8Y