1 minute ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Projecting your experience onto Petracca's 'family elders' was not appropriate.

Wow, you just don’t get it. I was not in any way personalising it, merely suggesting that he may have seen it happen. You and I have no idea about his experiences, but nor was I claiming to know them. Anyway, you’ve gone and misrepresented me…..I’ll leave you happy in the fact. 

Haven’t seen it, but not surprised it’s happened again. It will happen forever while social media exists in its current form.

Social media is a curse on humanity. It gives a public voice to every [censored] out there, but more importantly it gives them a means to contact someone directly and publicly. it’s been more detrimental to society than anything since global wars decades ago.

I feel sorry for players copping it. Weid had to get rid of his social media due to copping abuse from keyboard warriors. He also received death threats to his direct messages after having a few poor games. It must be horrible going to work knowing if you don’t have a good day you’re likely going to cop abuse and threats in the mail.

11 minutes ago, sue said:

 

But that is exactly is what politics should be about.  I have no problem saying this is a political issue.  

The 'issue' is about the human condition.  If all politicians showed true leadership on this issue, then fine, but they don't.  Racism is for all of us to deal with and should never be 'politicised'.  It was the political reference to which my original post was responding.  Talking about 'leftists' and conservatives does not deal with the problem, but provides a refuge for those who deny the problem exists in our body politic.

6 minutes ago, I'va Worn Smith said:

The 'issue' is about the human condition.  If all politicians showed true leadership on this issue, then fine, but they don't.  Racism is for all of us to deal with and should never be 'politicised'.  It was the political reference to which my original post was responding.  Talking about 'leftists' and conservatives does not deal with the problem, but provides a refuge for those who deny the problem exists in our body politic.

Perfectly summarised. 

1 hour ago, Webber said:

And even seen it perpetrated by his family elders. 

This is true. In the late ‘70s at the time of the huge ingress of Vietnamese refugees my school population practically doubled overnight. These kids copped abuse so harsh, so cruel, the main perpetrators of which were the kids of Greeks and Italians who’d migrated to Aus in the late ‘50s. I asked my older brother why this was happening and he said it’s as simple as: people of one race/Religion/Nationality who cop abuse upon settling here are gonna, as a result of this abuse, give the next intake from wherever a pasting just as severe. He said that as wrong as it was,  it was human nature. 😞 

Edited August 11, 20213 yr by WalkingCivilWar

40 minutes ago, Webber said:

It is getting better though, Dr.G. The current generation of millennials and newer, they  just don’t have the same bigotries. For those I know, gender, race and sexual preference really mean nothing to them in a judgemental or hierarchical sense. It constantly surprises and fills me with hope. And the beauty is, most of it is unconscious, they just live, let live and respect. Growing up in the 70’s in Melbourne, probably then and now this country’s most progressive society, (and excuse my referencing, it’s only for historical context) it was all Wogs, Abos, Chinks, Yugos and so on. We’ve come a long way, and I’m grateful that the kids today truly hold the future. 

If you are referring to the 70’s, it was still bad but not as bad as in the 1960’s and 50’s. Working class areas were extremely hostile to migrants in particular. People were becoming somewhat more aware and enlightened in the 70’s. One vivid incident I recall was my mum walking me home from school when I was 7 years old and a drunken Aussie fresh out of the pub punched me on the nose for no good reason as he staggered by. Gave me a blood nose. All he said was “effing dagos”. I saw a Chinese guy beaten up on a tram unprovoked. My dad several times came home bloodied with torn clothes. Respectable looking people in shops were not afraid to loudly air racist opinions. Not just school yard stuff.

 

Edited August 11, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

36 minutes ago, I'va Worn Smith said:

The 'issue' is about the human condition.  If all politicians showed true leadership on this issue, then fine, but they don't.  Racism is for all of us to deal with and should never be 'politicised'.  It was the political reference to which my original post was responding.  Talking about 'leftists' and conservatives does not deal with the problem, but provides a refuge for those who deny the problem exists in our body politic.

I think the best way to talk about this is that it should be politicized as politics (be it representative or participatory) are a means of creating a better society. The personal, as they say, is political and a way of addressing problems we face as individuals in a collective. To make changes at a micro level we have to address the macro.

That being said, it shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
 

At one time prior to the 80’s, it wasn’t either and no party could exclusively claim anti-racism as their issue. 
 

While I might have disagreed with their diagnosis of the causes of the problem, Malcolm Fraser, Ian MacPhee, Phillip Ruddock (before he transformed into a Mr. Burns type cartoon villain), Michael MacKellar, Petro Georgiou, Edward St. John, Phillip Lynch and Nick Greiner were all fighters against racial discrimination in their own ways.

I really look forward to the day when this is a bipartisan issue once again.

Edited August 11, 20213 yr by Colin B. Flaubert

1 hour ago, 1964_2 said:

Disrespectful post.

The point here is addressing the challenge of racism, not politics. 

please be better. 
 

The first thing he ranted about was Trump.

Open both of your eyes. 

53 minutes ago, Smokey said:

You are literally the one that brought politics into this. OP referred to an individual, not a political party. 

Further, you regularly politicise discussions around here. Talk about projecting ... 

An individual?

 

You mean a Republican President of the United States?

You people are insane.

1 minute ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I think the best way to talk about this is that it should be politicized as politics (be it representative or participatory) are a means of creating a better society. The personal, as they say, is political. To make changes at a micro level we have to address the macro.

That being said, it shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
 

At one time prior to the 80’s, it wasn’t either and no party could exclusively claim anti-racism as their issue. 
 

While I might have disagreed with their diagnosis of the causes of the problem, Malcolm Fraser, Ian MacPhee, Phillip Ruddock (before he transformed into a Mr. Burns type cartoon villain), Michael MacKellar, Petro Georgiou, Edward St. John, Phillip Lynch and Nick Greiner were all fighters against racial discrimination in their own ways.

I really look forward to the day where this is a bipartisan issue once again.

Agreed.  Well said.  But politicians of later times, chose to demonise - excuse the pun - immigrants, for the sake of political expediency.  Fraser and Whitlam had a bipartisan approach, despite being vehement political enemies.  Hawke led the charge after the Tianamen Square tragedy, with the support of the then opposition

25 minutes ago, Webber said:

And there’s the wonderful truth, WCW. 

I remember well the Hey Hey days and the appalling treatment of Kamahl under the guise of anything  goes in comedy. I never liked it and i always thought that one day they would be held accountable.

i would like to add that many people at that time also disliked it and while it might have seemed acceptable "in those days" to many people,  there were also a lot of people then to whom  it was definitely not acceptable. The problem then was twofold.  the media were weak and didn't actively condemn it (for whatever reasons) and those in the general public who were offended didn't have the luxury of today's social media to voice their disapproval effectively. 

2 minutes ago, faultydet said:

An individual?

 

You mean a Republican President of the United States?

You people are insane.

Really?  Really!!!!!!

1 hour ago, faultydet said:

What an absolute load of trash.

Leftists ALWAYS smear the leading conservative with cries of "racist" the moment they assume leadership of their party.

It's their "operatus modus" (sic)

 

Cant you lefties leave your politics out of just one thread for goodness sake?

 

 

You live in a very binary world, fd: anyone who disagrees with you is a 'Leftist'. Is there any room in your head for the idea that it's a bit more complicated than that.

54 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

This almost makes me cry.  I am Australian born of Italian parents who grew up in an anglo part of Melbourne.  I can't talk to their 'copping it of course' (your words) but I never, ever heard parents or family denigrate any other group, anglo or otherwise.  There was a great deal of mutual respect in the community.  Most of the racism came from school and the schoolyard which sadly is when the damage is inflicted on the very young and the wounds and scars reside to be triggered in the years to come.

Not sure where you get your information from.  Best not to generalise.

Regrettably LH, this is largely true. Here in Melbourne, in the ‘70s and as sad as it is, it was allowed to flourish. It’s great that you didn’t see examples of it but that doesn’t mean it never happened. With much respect, I think you’ve taken this as a personal affront, being that your parents came from Italy. It’s by no means an attack on Italian migrants, it’s an observation of a blight that was prolific at that point in history. 

2 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

I remember well the Hey Hey days and the appalling treatment of Kamahl under the guise of anything  goes in comedy. I never liked it and i always thought that one day they would be held accountable.

i would like to add that many people at that time also disliked it and while it might have seemed acceptable "in those days" to many people,  there were also a lot of people then to whom  it was definitely not acceptable. The problem then was twofold.  the media were weak and didn't actively condemn it (for whatever reasons) and those in the general public who were offended didn't have the luxury of today's social media to voice their disapproval effectively. 

One could also add the treatment to the regular woman on the show. Jacki McDonald used to cop the worst crudest sexist schoolyard jibes as well as many other women who dared appear on the show. 

I wholeheartedly agree with all above and I am eternally grateful that I live in A country where the majority of people are fair and decent. My heart goes out to all our indigenous peoples and new arrivals that are racially vilified, we have come a long way since I was a kid in the country in the 50’s and 60’s. But we still have a long long way to go. It is very hard to fully understand the hurt and anguish that racial slurs cause as we have never had to endure them but if you watched 360 last night and watched the pain and anguish that the Blues super star Eddie Betts showed it was heart wrenching. We have the power to make significant change if we are all just a bit braver and coach our children, grand children, friends snd colleagues to be more tolerant, caring and inclusive in this great society that we have all helped build.

7 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

I remember well the Hey Hey days and the appalling treatment of Kamahl under the guise of anything  goes in comedy. I never liked it and i always thought that one day they would be held accountable.

i would like to add that many people at that time also disliked it and while it might have seemed acceptable "in those days" to many people,  there were also a lot of people then to whom  it was definitely not acceptable. The problem then was twofold.  the media were weak and didn't actively condemn it (for whatever reasons) and those in the general public who were offended didn't have the luxury of today's social media to voice their disapproval effectively. 

One could also add the treatment to the regular woman on the show. Jacki McDonald used to cop the worst crudest sexist schoolyard jibes as well as many other women who dared appear on the show. 

1 minute ago, John Crow Batty said:

One could also add the treatment to the regular woman on the show. Jacki McDonald used to cop the worst crudest sexist schoolyard jibes as well as many other women who dared appear on the show. 

Molly Meldrum copped homophobic jibes and innuendo most weeks as well.

8 minutes ago, faultydet said:

An individual?

 

You mean a Republican President of the United States?

You people are insane.

He mentioned a politician who has acted in a racist manner historically (fact). The poster, me or anyone else is not bringing up whether we are pro, or against Trump......leftist or conservative. It is completely irrelevant to the topic of this discussion - Racism. 

but you are trying to deflect the topic of racism and bring in “leftist” claims and the like. 

you have yourself a good day matey. 

 

 

What percentage of Australian's do you believe are racist and how do you think that percentage has changed over the last (say) 10 years?  What role do you think the AFL has played in any change?

The main reason I become a Melbourne supporter was because I lived in Collingwood then East Melbourne. I used to cop heaps from the local kids and got into fights just about every other week. I went out of the way to support their greatest football enemy as well as Ron Barassi playing for them. 

1 hour ago, faultydet said:

What an absolute load of trash.

Leftists ALWAYS smear the leading conservative with cries of "racist" the moment they assume leadership of their party.

It's their "operatus modus" (sic)

 

Cant you lefties leave your politics out of just one thread for goodness sake?

 

 

Not biting on this - you tell me what we do as a society. Or don’t. 

Just get out of the way if you don’t want to help.

I can't see any public statement out of WCE so far.  If that is the actual case, extremely poor by them.

As long as our society keeps giving platforms to people like Andrew Bolt, Alan Jones and Rita Panihi, racists will still think it's ok to speak their hateful thoughts out loud.  I actually feel quite sorry for them.  Imagine being so shallow and disconnected from the rest of humanity that you think it's ok.

8 minutes ago, faultydet said:

An individual?

 

You mean a Republican President of the United States?

You people are insane.

Last time I checked, Donald Trump is an ordinary citizen and is no longer holds any official office.

Telling people that they can't refer to Trump as a citizen, and can only bring him up in the context of his former presidency, is the actually the most insane part of this conversation. 

You're upset that somebody brought up Donald Trump in a conversation about racism. Why does that reference threaten your political identity to the point you launch into an anti-left tirade?

23 minutes ago, faultydet said:

The first thing he ranted about was Trump.

Open both of your eyes. 

 

19 minutes ago, faultydet said:

An individual?

 

You mean a Republican President of the United States?

You people are insane.

I tried to stick to facts in my apparent one line ‘ran’ but if you can’t agree on the fact Trump and Trumpism is built around racist rhetoric then we can’t agree on facts - you need to address that. Not here. But there are always established facts that don’t align with our worldview - and we need to have an answer to them - not ignore them.