The vilification of one of our most important and successful Indigenous sportspeople should be cause for deep soul-searching within our community.
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In a classic case of victim-blaming, a number of prominent Australian media and sporting personalities have come forward in recent days and suggested it is somehow Adam Goodes that should apologise to the fans who have booed him for daring to display pride in his Indigenous culture.
While such responses from shock-jocks are fairly predictable, of much deeper concern is the large number of sporting fans who deem it acceptable to boo Goodes, an Australian of the Year, for daring to perform a war dance. Claims that the criticism is purely sports-related is a fig leaf – racism is at the heart of most of the criticism.
Contrast this appalling treatment of a proud Aboriginal man with New Zealand's national rugby team, who celebrate their indigenous players with a traditional haka war cry at the beginning of every game.
Sadly, Australia has form in this area. Consider the famous 1993 photo of St Kilda player Nicky Winmar lifting his shirt and pointing to his skin after being told during the game to "go and sniff some petrol". Or the controversy that erupted during Cathy Freeman's gold-medal run at the 1994 Commonwealth Games where she was criticised for carrying an Aboriginal flag during a victory lap.
Some critics have labelled Goodes' actions as inflammatory, calling out a young girl who vilified him at a game, or regularly speaking out against racism. These criticisms are an attempt by the white majority to control a debate that is principally about the treatment of Indigenous people. Surely those directly affected should have a right to frame the debate on their own terms without being told to 'toughen up' or apologise.
Too many times we have tried to tear down successful Indigenous Australians rather than to celebrate their culture and embrace it as a national asset. Is it any wonder that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders continue to be over-represented on many measures of social disadvantage?
Many Australians, including the captains of every AFL team, have taken a stand in support of Adam Goodes, and there have been many, many more voices of support for the player than there have been critics. But this is an important moment for our country. It's now up to the rest of the Australian public to decide. The Sunday Canberra Times stands with Adam Goodes, where do you stand?
