Dear Edward,

You are entitled to your opinion - however,
mine differs from yours and I am not alone.
The extra-ordinary outpouring of support for
Adam Goodes proves that huge numbers of
Australians (millions according to the Sydney
Morning Herald) understand that history matters and
that racism should not hide behind the outmoded calls
for sameness. That Indigenous people can express their
pride in their culture, heritage, in their difference.

Dear Leo,

Many people care.

According to the ABC and the Sydney Morning Herald,
The Age, and other newspaper sources. Of course
shock jocks like Alan Jones, columnists like Andrew Bolt,
Miranda Devine et al, and others of the Herald Sun - don't.
No surprses there coming from News Corp Ltd. Where the news is
limited.

We're told that Goodes' return follows an out-pouring of
support on and off the field at AFL matches over the week-end.
Melbourne players wore red, yellow and black arm bands to
represent the Aboriginal flag and the Western Bulldogs and
Richmond teams wore Indigenous Round jerseys.

The Swans entered the ground for their match against Adelaide
through a barrier that said " RESPECT" and the crowd stood to
applaud Goodes for a full minute at the seventh minute mark of
the 3rd Quarter - a reference to Goodes' jersey no. 37.

"It's incredible - it's incredibly humbling to be honest,"
Goodes said.

Indeed it is.

Goodes said” racism has a face last night, it was a 13-year-old girl” . He pursued his baseless assertion of racism. His performance overall has been shameful, alleviated slightly when he said,"It is not her fault.".
We have seen the face of the scourge of political correctness, and it is a 33 year old footballer, crying about being “gutted”, from being called an ape, by a schoolgirl. Those who have supported his assertion of “racism” are also shameful in their dishonesty, or their ignorance, if they really believe what they say.

Dear Leo,

You are entitled to your opinion.

But not your facts.

Racism is racism is racism. "Good" for one, 'Bad" for another. And racism is alive and well (and flourishing)in Australia.

I really respect and admire the young girl at the centre of all this hate. According to the media, I believe she spoke with Goodes the next day and not only apologised but entered into a dialogue about racism with Goodes. She showed her maturity by listening and learning about the damage and hurt words can do.

I admire and respect both Goodes and the young girl. I sincerely hope this has been a learning experience for both people concerned and for our nation.

Once something is said and someone hears those words, they can never be taken back.

The following website is worth a read:

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/an-american-expat-explains-the-adam-goodes-controversy-and-australias-problem-with-racism-2015-7

Former Collingwood President Allan McAlister said he had no
problem with Aboriginal people "as long as they conduct
themselves like white people."

Apparently he's not the only one who still has this sort of
mentality in this country.