o sung wu

great post

Hi Poirot ;)

So you've been thinking about me, sweetie ?

And you haven't been far from my mind either :)

Meanwhile, back to topic: for the past few weeks I've been working on typing up (it's what I do these days) extracts from the minutes of meetings of a body that existed here in SA from 1918 until 1939, called the Advisory Council of Aborigines. It never had a single Aboriginal person on it, although an application was made in about 1934. And knocked back.

Was that racist ? We would think so these days, I'm sure, but before we jump on the members and sink the boot in a few times, I would suggest that they were us then, and we are them now. Attitudes evolve under the force of circumstances. Ten, twenty, fifty years ago, I would have slagged them all as a bunch of KKK-type racists, because i knew so much more back then.

Of course they should have had some Aboriginal members, there were strong people around back then, Mark Wilson, my wonderful grandfather-in-law Wiltshire Sumner, David Unaipon.

We know - we can know, more or less - what happened in history. People living it didn't, they were going through it, and for them they were grappling with issues, often for the first time. A bit like that silly girl. I hope she learns to become a better person because of it.

Cheers :)

Joe

I suppose you could call me a Swans fan, as i watch them play, on TV, each weekend. Not real keen but find it entertaining as it can change quickly and I appreciate the skill and fitness of the players. I know most of the Swans by sight and Adam Goodes is one of the best and he does not get easily put off his game by unseen fouls against him. Last Friday he had a blinder of a game.

When i first saw the incident I thought he was right to report it. But later, when it was revealed the mildness of the taunt, I thought he overreacted. For a player of his age and experience he would have heard far worse than that. To my mind the taunt from the girl was rude but I do not consider it racist. The actions of the secutity and police were over the top. Goodes pointed her out and a repremand would have been sufficient, as she was exposed. Now I feel sorry for her. I expect she was making a smart aleck remark in front of her sisters.

I have heard far worse on and off the field and to be called the same as an animal is no big deal. There was film also of Eddie Maguire going to the Swans dressing room after and apoligising to Goodes.

The whole thing was blown out of all proportion and with Maguires gaffe on radio this morning the whole thing is now a farse.

Shame a girl but allow an official off for a similar unthinking remark highlights the stupidity.

Incidently I had never heard of jigga boo or porch monkey and certainly do not consider being called an ape racist. I do not now admire Adam Goodes quite so much.

Could anyone have ever imagined that any Aussie crowd would not act to prevent a minor being subjected to such rough treatment, public humiliation and being frog-marched off for two hours interrogation alone and an admission of 'guilt' obtained? Criminals have rights, but not a 13 year old minor.

What the hell is wrong with people that they permit that to happen and later, upon reading of the silliness of the allegation of racism, they are not up in arms demanding that authorities redress the wrongs committed against this child and her parents?

Shame, Australia, shame.

Csteele, thanks for taking me off the “most wanted” list.

Belly>> SOG I admire your retreat .<<
I admire your turn of phrase china.

>>Are we to include music hall black faced performers like Al Jolson too?<<
Belly I just do not see that as inflammatory. Thespians have for thousands of years dressed in the garb of other nations taking on the persona of that other nation to act out a story. In fact the first “black face” was donned by light skinned actors in the portrayal of biblical characters such as Solomon or the Egyptians.

>>What about that boot polish factory I helped demolish? N**&& Boy?<<
That term comes from the Latin “niger”, black of colour. The Europeans used it as a general descriptive of black. The Americans turned it into a sledge mid way through the 19th century. Yeah it had to go.

>>I remain convinced the thread is nit picking.<<
Where is Jansey

SOG: Where is Jansey?

I think I must have hurt his feelings. Either that or I hit the nail on the head.