Are any of these names familiar?
Ashley Taylor, Jeff Simpson, Collene Gray (Castle), Murray and Keith Wynne, Eddie Bandy? Nah, didn’t think so.
What about Michael Mitchell, Dean and Brett Farmer, Larry Kickett, Cam and Clayton Lewis? We should be starting to edge towards a degree of recognition now.
If you’re still fumbling through the deep recesses of your mind to find the trigger that prompts your powers of recall, that’s okay. It’s reasonable to assume these people are more important to me than they are to you.
Through life’s journey they are just some of the Indigenous Australians it has been my privilege to call friends. To have crossed their paths at some stage in my life has enriched it. To me they were – and are – good people to be around. Sadly, some people see only the colour of their skin.
When an exasperated Eddie Betts was dialled into AFL 360 during the week, hearts sank around Australia. Here he was, yet again, speaking out against racism in our sport. In our country.
The frustration was evident, more than ever, in the emotion and words of a much-loved man as he spoke for the umpteenth time of the pain and anguish that racism causes him personally – and more broadly – his people.
The level of hurt was elevated this time because at the centre of this storm was Betts’ former teammate Taylor Walker. A friend.
As Betts spoke, his eyes revealed more than his lips. Here he was, in a position so familiar to him, but so uncomfortable. Hurting a deep hurt. Calling for help. Exhausted.
As the conversation progressed, reflections of great Olympic Games moments from Tokyo filtered through a busy mind. There was more going on in there than the New York subway at rush hour. Patty Mills, our flag bearer. An Australian hero. The spiritual leader who helped mould the Boomers’ culture over 13 years that finally resulted in a medal. One of the great moments in our sporting history.
Of Peter Bol, the Sudanese refugee who made his way to Perth via Queensland and ran the bravest of 800 metre races. We rode every step, willed him to dig and find a little more. He deserved a bronze medal, but was denied.
The nation adored the journey of Mills and the emergence of Bol. We love what they did for us as a collective.
At the same time, it’s difficult to imagine there were no obstacles on their path to wearing green and gold. Thoughts of hypocrisy run through my head.
Images of the great Eagles then emerged. Of the battles Chris Lewis had to endure. Peter Matera, Phil Matera, David Wirrpanda – they were all confronted with racism.
These days, through social media, the abuse is more heightened. Everyone with an opinion, and with an element of anonymity, can apparently post what they like. Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly, Lewis Jetta, Willie Rioli they have all copped it.
So has Nic Naitanui, the Eagles’ unflappable ruckman of Fijian extraction. Extraordinary really. An AFL multicultural ambassador who volunteers so willingly to our community.
On the weekend Port Adelaide star Aliir Aliir and Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett were both targeted via social media. Befuddling.
Why do we accept that as part of today’s world? Why aren’t Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like not held to account? How can these ‘keyboard warriors’ post under nom deplumes. Warriors? There’s a misnomer if ever there was one. Surely, society must take a stand.
You can’t open a bank account without presenting several forms of ID. Why doesn’t similar criteria exist on these social platforms?
As Eddie’s interview continued, thoughts drifted to those aforementioned friends. Watching, listening…helpless. How would they be going?
Just like Eddie, Nicky Winmar and Adam Goodes they have lived with racism all of their lives. Some, who had a public profile through their sporting careers, confronted it publicly. But they no longer have the avenue to campaign for change.
Eddie does, but he would prefer there was no need.
He can’t conquer this quest alone. Everyone sitting uncomfortably on their couches watching his heartfelt appeal needs to champion the cause. It starts at home. In every home.
No one is born a racist. It’s learned.
