"Racism' this week, in sport, in Australia"

This weekend here in Oz [at least on the east coast] a huge story has emerged from the training camp for our NSW State of Origin Rugby League Team ahead of Game 2 in the series. Local league legend and team assistant coach Andrew Johns was giving the backilne players an informal 'pep talk' about tactics and what would be required to stop some of the oppositions star players from securing a fifth series in a row clinching win in Brisbane on Wednesday night...
Only problem is Andrew's banter was peppered with insulting slang comments about the players and indeed about himself. He reportedly referred to Greg Inglis as a "Black c__" and himself as 'white trash from Cessnock.' Timana Tahu the NSW winger took exception and after speaking to the head coach, walked out of the training camp and team because of what he saw as the unacceptable comments.
Andrew apologised publicly [after some initial management 'smokescreening'] also saying "I'm not a racist, but..." and herein lies the problem. As humanity we don't always cope well with difference... sexuality, appearance, values, hobbies, race, religion... you name it. Many wise people have observed that on some level we are all racist, in the sense that we struggle with aspects of racial difference in ever more subtle ways even if we don't have some irrational or vitriolic view of others.
It's often represented as quips or nicknames about skin colour, it happens everytime we stereotype "damn Germans... that's so Irish of you... he's gone walkabout etc"... It's subtle, but destructive or rude at best!! It's an issue which we should do more about and confront when it arises in such a public way... but not by villifying Andrew Johns, instead by educating, encouraging and changing behaviours...
This week's story unearths deeper and more far reaching issues and if any good comes form this we might move from radio talkback fodder to actually doing something about the issue.
I know in my own sporting connections I have seen and been around a culture of humour and distrust. In rugby union there's a high level of participation from Islanders who are often endearingly referred to as 'coconuts' or operating on 'coconut time' even by themselves... but there's an undercurrent there and a cringeworthy moment or two when it's not said in jest. "Wetsuits" was a common term in the early 90s too... as in a black steamer wetsuit with bosy, arms and legs, black. Nobody ever meant harm or even insult, it was almost a shorthand way of speaking but did tap into the competitive nature of sport... 'a put down of others builds you up' kind of mentality!!
To the issues... this incident reflects a widespread issue in all parts of our society and is not just about the individuals. It's also true that we continue to expect talented sports stars to exhibit wisdom and intellegence, understanding and communication which is often beyond their experience or education. Being a millionaire rugby league player does not mean having the maturity, education or experience to handle life's bumps and bruises or to have thought through cultural and contextual issues, how to behave publicly and privately etc. Indeed sometime big money early in life short circuits a few life lessons learned the hard way. I have heard stories of 1980s Aussie Test cricketers who on retirement had no idea how to use an ATM as the team manager handled that sort of stuff!!
Andrew and all League players [and lots of people in mainstream society] would benefit from an 'anti racism' workshop, conversation with people fro other cultures and/or some time and experience seeing the values and lifestyles of those cultures.
It's to be hoped that happens and perhaps in the wider sport there should be some 'courses' for all clubs.
IN THE MEANTIME those engaged in youth ministry could take the opportunity to do some work on the issues and a great starting point could be our Uniting Church Assembly Social Justice Sunday Resource from 2003 "Subverting Racism" available here.
If time allows as this week progresses I'd be keen to suggest some muisc, films which could help open up the issues...