Singer songwriter Colin Hay has weighed in on the current racist wave of opinion rampant in Australia at the moment with an open letter to football hero Adam Goodes.
Indigenous player Goodes has been the victim of blatant racial hatred across Australia, supported by the attitude of the Australian government.
“People do have a right to be bigots you know,” Australia’s attorney general told the Senate in March 2014.”In a free country people do have rights to say things that other people find offensive or insulting or bigoted.”
The official statement from the highest lawman in the country became an open ticket for racists to say what they wanted. Tensions have fuelled since the Brandis statement with racist organisations like Reclaim Australia publicly promoting its hater cause.
Now Colin Hay has written this open letter for Adam Goodes on his Facebook page:
Dear Mr Goodes,
We’ve never met, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know each other. I’ve seen you from afar. I am moved to write to you. Maybe you’ll read this, maybe not. I hope you do.
It would seem the pinheads are wearing you down. I’m reminded of the great Muhammad Ali in the early sixties, when he apparently stepped well outside the realms of accepted behavior for a black athlete, within the confines of white society. Overwhelming vilification followed. They stole his title, but he stood his ground, beat the odds, won it back. Massive achievement, especially given the times.
What’s disgusting about many within our “lucky” country, is how they try and justify appalling behavior. Them, and so many silent conspirators. You Mr Goodes, are supposed to suck it up and deal with it. Or even worse, it is suggested that somehow it’s your fault. We know It’s not.
What you are being asked to endure, I can’t even imagine. You danced your dance, like many others do, in many other sports. You made a point, and the point is valid. We are still a long way from leveling the playing field, as you no doubt know so well. I can’t say that I’m surprised however by this kind of incessant bottom feeding behavior. Racism, bigotry and oppression in all it’s forms, lies just beneath the surface amongst many, within our great land. It is our great challenge. What makes it particularly so, is that the worst offenders, do not even realize their inherent racism. It is a cancer within our culture. Anyone who believes that the constant booing aimed at you, is not, for the most part, racially based, is part of the problem. Makes me angry and emotional. It’s holding us back as a people. We could be so much better.
The world is watching, and it’s apparent to all, that the ugly Australian is alive and well, and making his dull voice heard. He and his mates, in relative anonymity of course, living their fearful, unconscious, grey little lives, are baying from the stands, in collective mediocrity.
You on the other hand, are quite simply, a great man.
I want you to know that I, and millions of other Australians, hear you, see you, feel your pain, and support you. You are our brother.
Colin Hay
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