After another racist slur, Mark Robinson asks what is wrong with people in South Australia?
WHAT is wrong with the people of South Australia? Mark Robinson asks why does racism keep rearing it’s ugly head during matches in the state.
Mark Robinson
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EVERYONE’S thinking it, so let’s say it.
What is wrong with the people of South Australia?
Why does racism continue to explode at football matches there?
Have you seen the video?
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How does this woman who called Eddie Betts an ape, and the man sitting beside her - and defending her - actually get to adulthood and be so stupid and ignorant.
“Eddie Betts ... should go back to the zoo where him and his family belong,’’ the woman wrote on Facebook.
The man defended her. “It’s not her fault she don’t like these players.’’
Don’t know what’s worse - the woman’s ignorance or the man’s stupidity.
This is real. These two people believe it’s perfectly normal to utter these words.
We can abuse these two people as much as we like, but how does that help?
There is a far bigger problem at play.
The environment in which these two people exist and the childhood they must have experienced is the reason for their behaviour.
It’s why education remains paramount for the young in this country.
We have to teach the youth about diversity and acceptance and along the way re-program the racist and the narrow-minded.
In doing so, people must be called out when they abuse and disrespect indigenous players.
It can’t be tolerated.
It’s why AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan didn’t hide behind a press release.
It was sent out at 2pm. “Our players deserve respect, and we ask that people understand the impact of their comments on them, their families and our community,’’ McLachlan’s quote said.
It wasn’t near enough from the league’s governing body. It’s why McLachlan held a press conference at 3.30pm.
“We are resolute, we are going to call out racist behaviour because it wounds everyone, clearly the individuals, but also our game and our communities and it is not the country we live in,” a steadfast McLachlan said.
McLachlan would be embarrassed by the behaviour emanating from Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. The racial abuse. The fights. It’s called the Showdown, but too often it’s a hoedown with rednecks and West End.
Of course, not all South Australians are racists and stupid.
But what are we supposed do think from across the border?
This time last year it was the woman who threw a banana at Betts. And yes, it was at another hoedown.
The woman got the benefit of the doubt that she took the banana to the ground to eat and not throw, and that impetuosity overwhelmed her in the moment.
We have to believe that.
Because if she took the banana in a pre-planned attack to throw it at Eddie, then the battle is much bigger than we imagined.
And it is we.
We — the football community — has to be part of the greater message, the national message, that vilification is unacceptable.
South Australians should be angry.
You are being harpooned today, but direct your angst where it can best be served.
Make a stronger stand at the footy. Say no. Call people out. Dob them in. Not just these two people and the other guy who abused Eddie and was booted from the ground, and the ignoramus who abused Patty Ryder, but everyone who screams abuse.
The Adelaide Oval is a gorgeous place, a stadium for the people to be proud of. But hidden in it on match days is an ugliness.
Go back to the zoo ... and here’s a banana.
It’s despicable language.
Amid the table thumping from Port Adelaide and Adelaide, and from the AFL, and from the media, if you are to read any commentary on this latest shame, do read Shaun Burgoyne.
Don’t just read the words. Feel his pain and hurt.
“How long must we put up with this?’’ Burgoyne asks.
It’s not a question, it’s a plea.
Surely we’re better than this.
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