It's such good insight, honestly. The thought process he described sounds like an unpleasant thing to experience, so it's great of him to share something personal.
Love how blunt he is here.
Great response by Tony. Call me a cynic, but the response from Tex about education just seems like they’ve dusted off the generic press release in response to racism. If it was an 18 or 19 year old (not that it would excuse racism), education would make a lot of sense. But Tex is 31 years old, been playing footy with indigenous players for a long time, comes from a town with a significant indigenous population and been a captain of a footy club for 5 years. He would’ve witnessed racism first hand at the club (usually from the supporters to players). He was captain in the game where Eddie Betts had a banana thrown at him for Gods sake.
I don’t think he needs education, he needs self reflection on why it hasn’t gotten through to him. Saying it’s about education shifts the blame from him implying he didn’t know better, or didn’t understand. I just don’t think that’s the case. Obviously it shouldn’t be the end of him as a person, and he can grow and come back better, but if he doesn’t have the necessary education already to self reflect and be a better person then I don’t know if he’ll ever find it.
I agree with you whole-heartedly regarding Tex, but do think that’s not quite a fair characterization of how the club itself has handled it. Matthew Nicks’ press conference was the opposite of what you’re saying : he literally said that they have no excuse and receive the most education of anyone in the country, and while acknowledging that Tex would be struggling refused to support him until support was given to the indigenous players in his care first.
Very disappointed in Taylor; pretty happy with the club (this video aside - I agree it’s very odd having Robbie support Tex, but don’t know the context of how or who put that video together)
Yep, very true and have deleted the mention of the crows. Was more thinking that the crows would’ve been feeding Tex the PR lines rather than the actual crows response (which was good). But now that I think about it, it’d probably be coming direct from Tex’s manager and the crows aren’t too involved with what he’s saying.
> I agree it’s very odd having Robbie support Tex, but don’t know the context of how or who put that video together)
I'd bet they have the same agent/manager.
> I don’t think he needs education, he needs self reflection on why it hasn’t gotten through to him. Saying it’s about education shifts the blame from him implying he didn’t know better, or didn’t understand. I just don’t think that’s the case.
100% spot on!
You have absolutely bloody nailed it.
An education program is perfect for, let’s say, a 13 year old girl who called an Indigenous player an ‘ape’, not for a fucking grown ass man who, as you have pointed out, has played with Indigenous players for long bloody enough.
I'm finding this across the board in the AFL at the moment. It's underpinned on the first page of the [AFL's vilification policy](https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Respect%20and%20Responsibility/AFL_Vilification_Policy.pdf) (paraphrasing a bit here):
> 'To achieve a *[safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all people involved]* the AFL adopts a consistent approach to a range of social issues, underpinned by **education**, awareness-raising activities, support services, social responsibilities, research and evaluation and compliance. '
But what education is actually happening? Look at the last 10 years in the AFL: the Goodes saga, Eddie McGuire liking Goodes to King Kong, the Collingwood Football club having a report come down which showed systemic racism present in the club, and now Tex. All those things - in some way - were internal from players, media, personnel or the league itself. This doesn't fan involvement like Betts having a banana thrown at him, or the various racial abuse fans (of all clubs) throw at players via twitter.
So it doesn't seem like education is like... working. What is education anyway? Does Tex have to sit down and watch Rabbit Proof Fence now? The AFL list the 'AFL Cultural Strategy and Education Unit' as a key stakeholder in education but when I google them I can't find a list of names in this unit. Or what this unit *does* exactly?
I'm not crying out some conspiracy, I'm just genuinely concerned that 'education' has become the crying call of an industry that doesn't *really* want to do anything about this.
My main issue with this apology, apart from clearly being a PR activity, is how a 31-yr old AFL player who's played with many indigenous players along the way is only now getting "educated" after he's been caught. He's probably gotten away with similar language earlier. I'd like such apologies to tell people "NOT" to do it. That it is disrespectful and stupid so that others get educated not to act like dickheads even if they're not getting caught.
He's also had plenty of education as an AFL player. What possible further education can he need? It's really just a thing you say to get out of trouble
Exactly. I'm all for an educational approach when it comes to these things but ffs, he had more educational on the effects of racism than most of us, and still said that shit. It wasn't a mistake, it wasn't a slip of the tongue, or a joke, it was racism pure and simple.
Seriously, how hard is it to call someone a cunt without adding colour?
It could have come from the club, but didn’t want their branding on it particularly because of sponsors. Call my a cynic but it’s happened before when scandals have come out with clubs.
Honestly, what the hell is he supposed to do? I don't think anyone would accept anything he done at the moment, they just want their pound of flesh. I'm not condoning racism, but there's a big difference between making a dumb, knee-jerk comment in the heat of the moment and actually thinking that you're somehow superior to other races of people and living your life by it.
I love Tex, and I think him and his family are probably doing it pretty tough at the moment, so he probably doesn't need every other do-gooder in the country casting the first stone at him from their high horse, to know the ramifications of his actions. Tex's legacy with the Crows, the AFL and the media have been tarnished forever and he probably won't play again at the highest level, so I would think say that's fairly adequate, wouldn't you?
Lastly, it's pretty easy to kick a man while he's down, but it's the hardest thing to help him up when everyone will hate you for doing it. That takes heart and I applaud Robbie Young for sitting with him, even if they did ask him to do it, he could have said no. It's forgiveness and brining people together that defeats racism, not division and punishment.
In your eyes Tex is the victim and First Nations people need to get around these racist victims to help them understand. Meanwhile racism plays out daily in Australia and who gets around the victims of racism?
People aren’t kicking Tex as much as making this racist accountable for his actions.
Yes he’s a racist. That’s factual.
I believe he needs a lot of introspection. Until he says I’m a racist, he can’t say I dont want to be a racist. I want to change.
This is no different to a drug or alcohol addiction. Until you admit your failings not excuse or apologise for them, you can’t change.
This is not a slip of the tongue. No one who isn’t systemically racist or is consciously racist would use these words.
Let’s not excuse any one.
What I didn’t hear from Tex was an acknowledgment and reflection on all his errors in the past. There is no way this is the only ever expression of racism.
Tony is spot on here, it shouldn't come down to the indigenous person to take the high road. I do wonder if this is what Robbie wanted to do though, like if he genuinely chose to be apart of this video himself and help out Tex, and now people are saying they feel sorry for him for doing so? Feels a bit like... patronising or something.
It’s fucking sickening watching indigenous people time and time again being asked to support and educate their abusers.
You wouldn’t ask a woman (or any victim/survivor) to sit there and offer emotional support to her assaulter.
Tex can do work on himself without needing his victim to sit there and coddle him.
It’s 2021 - all the tools and resources and education anybody could ever need is available and out there and there’s simply no excuse for this shit.
I’m sure Tex is sorry and all the rest of it but he’s been in the AFL for how many fucking years, where indigenous culture is celebrated, where indigenous people are over represented compared to elsewhere in society, and he still says this. It’s not fucking good enough for him to have the audacity to sit there and say he’s going to be leaning on Robbie Young for support.
It doesn’t matter if Robbie Young is brave enough to offer that support - it should never ever come to that. Walker should already have that support and education, and if he doesn’t, fucking go get it elsewhere without leaning on your victim.
This right here is why representation in media matters.
Does Tony speak for all Indigenous people? Of course not, but he can respond to this incident and more than likely speak from experience and give an Indigenous perspective.
Media representation is so important, we just need to see more of it more regularly.
Man, I've never thought about this before, but it's insane how few commentary jobs are filled by indigenuous people. Which is crazy when you think about the volume of players with indigenous backgrounds, and particularly the stars.
he got a spot on Fox Footy on Saturday night, maybe as a trial for permanent position? Fox Footy really needs more diversity, and there's several white blokes on their payroll who I would not miss if they got axed
Regardless of race, he has a really calming voice. Would love to hear him call some footy over some of the blokes who just yell and have become caricatures of themselves over the years.
Tom Highmore gave an interview after one of his first good games, and it was completely bizarre. He's played less than 5 games to that point, he was playing SANFL not long beforehand, and he talked like a completely well adjusted 300 gamer.
I get what youre saying because it is a common trope, but I think the context here is that he's well spoken for a footballer. He's not BT or Brett Kirk or Jack Higgins, he communicates effectively.
On top of that I've seen it said for Bartel and Hodge when they started out in commentary and it's commonly thrown around for young footballers a fair bit.
And same for Tony Lockett when he spoke to the team before the Danny Frawley match. Believe I said he was very well spoken or didn't expect him to be so eloquent.
I dont know what's wrong with my brain sometimes. I did wake up not long before writing it, so ill use that as my excuse, but I meant Jack Higgins. Mr "my hearts pumping 1000 minutes per second". I love the guy, he is a ball of joy, but he's not exactly a wordsmith.
BT is actually a brilliant speaker who articulates his thoughts quite well, just because he gets excited about a don’t argue followed by a snap on goal doesn’t mean he’s an idiot… Half this sub probably think what’s he’s saying during a passage of play but give him shit for some reason?
Are you thinking of a different BT? A brilliant speaker mate?
"BUTLER BUTLER BUTLER BUTLER"
"THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT. WAS. OUT. OF. BOUNDS."
"HE LOOKS AT HIM AND SAYS THATS THE SORT OF THING I CAN DO!..... BECAUSE IM EDDIE!"
Pretty rough comment to make. Lots of people think Tony has a good voice for journalism/commentating and is actually interesting to listen to and you're implying it's only said because he's a poc?
Edit: Not that I think it's an explanation necessarily needed but my reasoning for stating he's well spoken is because I'd prefer to listen to him commentate a game over BT, Dwayne Russell etc. It would be refreshing to have a commentator his age.
That is true a lot of the time, but for me this is the first I'm seeing of him as a personality on TV and what has struck me is how comfortable he appears on camera which I think lends itself to the description of him being well spoken.
Plenty of people that have been in the business a long arse time don't seem half as comfortable
I think generally what you say is fair.
The context tho is that he’s an ex footballer working in football media and he’s clearly a better communicator than Jack Higgins, or even other guys with media experience, like Brett Kirk.
Its obvious people don't understand this. Then again they would be the same people who call indigenous players magic or xfactor types.
So we'll spoken is a fucking backhanded compliment from someone who has a prejudiced preconceived notion that the person they are judging is an idiot.
The comment I've made isn't related to Tony's skin colour or his AFL background. Before today I was actually unaware Tony had an AFL background.
I didn't mean for it to come across as a backhanded compliment and I apologise if it's come across that way to anyone.
Sorry I wasn't singling you out and it is clear that wasn't your intention. We have all done this in our lives and it was more an observation of a thing we do without really questioning it.
What frustrates me is that this isn't weeded out at junior level. On Phillip Island, there were recent posts by a mum of a Fijian child who has been subject to massive levels of racism with the school doing very little to support them. We're talking brutal stuff of a girl sending her videos calling her a gorilla and her boyfriend comparing her to a burn sausage. Neither of them has been suspended or expelled, the disciplinary is minor at best, and one of the kids parents dropped by and threatened her after the videos were sent to the press.
The irony in her case is that the AFL has been completely supportive when it was discovered this had infiltrated her footy but the schools were largely useless. Here is the articles, but I saw the original videos her mum posted on facebook in the Phillip Island group and they were horrendous
https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/aus-fiji-tikitok-troll/13479612
It’s a sad thing when kids are saying “it’s an everyday thing now”.
I’ve got a nephew that plays under 15’s footy and he was upset by racist comments made by opposition players and their parents. He’s a freaky good footballer and will play at the highest level. I just hope everyone gets to see his talent on show and he doesn’t grow to hate the game and all non indigenous people.
I’ll be at every game from now on and I’ll choose violence on any adults that think they have the right to racially vilify any kids.
> If this is the one that was caught, you think of all the ones that happen when you aren't there
This is so important. And isn't really talked about.
Most people are friendly and amicable when speaking face to face. The repercussions are visible and we watch our words.
Look I think many people are guilty of racist(overt and subtle) comments in "safe environments" or at the very least tolerate remarks amongst close friends and family to keep the peace.
Most people in this subreddit denounce Tex but I wonder how many of us have made a racist comment in the last year.
Not trying to sling mud it's just my general thoughts, I know I can do better.
Problem is, everything seems to be deemed racist these days. Somebody was called racist above because they said Tony was "well spoken". I have never seen such bullshit
There's a lot of assumptions built in to that attitude though.
I'd be more ready to get on board with it as a general thing if "well spoken" wasn't also a phrase used to describe white people, but it is. It's a very commonly used phrase to describe people who are eloquent.
It isn't something that's applied predominantly to certain racial groups (compared for example to something that is quite clearly racist like "he's one of the good ones").
If you apply the same logic used to say "well spoken" is racist, couldn't you also call "good bloke" racist? Because you could twist yourself around to say "well yeah but you're only calling him a good bloke because he conforms to white norms".
Please don't mistake this comment for me sticking up for people who use dog whistles to convey racist undertones: I absolutely accept that happens. But there's also a whole group of people who love and appreciate our indigenous friends for the people they are, and who respect them and their heritage. We use language and terms that we are familiar with to describe those feelings. That doesn't make us racist.
> I’m sure I get it wrong because I’m human but trust me that term can and has been used as a backhanded compliment.
I won't for a second deny your experience. You'd have experienced racism and me as a white person won't ever really understand that in the way you do.
I don't doubt for a second that the term has been used as a backhanded compliment. But I would like to think that doesn't mean that then taints all usage of the word: surely the shitbags that use it that way don't drive the way the rest of us use it.
Maybe I'm naïve, but I don't really think that the fact that a (I sincerely hope) minority of shitbags use a phrase that way in any way colours the broader usage of it, that's all.
Surely the context here tho is that many football presenters aren't that articulate and just let loose with the cliches and the banal repetition, and Tony Armstrong provides a refreshing change from that. People are praising him as being well spoken as he's providing a genuinely insightful, thoughtful response to the issue rather than the shallow phrases that we've heard from other commentators eg. Racism needs to stop, Tex has now apologised abd hopefully we see better from him in the future etc. I get where you're coming from but in this case I think it's quite clear people aren't trying to say he sounds 'white'
You probably also the PC has gone too far.
You need to know what is actually discriminatory and what is systemically so.
Seriously, try something. Go onto a social media site and just act normally, but identify as a minority. See what happens.
Whilst I don’t think we should pretend to be who we aren’t, maybe it’d provide an insight.
Why is Walker looking off into the distance and looking extremely uncomfortable? This is PR at best. We need to all reflect on our behaviour at all times. Walker played with Armstrong? I did not realise that. Interesting take.
He makes a great point about the victims always having to be the ones to extend the olive branch and be the bigger person
Me personally I think I’d be pretty emotional and pissed off that this shits still going on, so good on Robbie for being the bigger person I guess
Maybe the racists won’t learn until the victims bite back
I mean there's nothing wrong for someone expressing forgiveness to someone for the wrongs they've done, but at the same time they do have everything right to tell that person to 'get fucked' as well.
Yeah it’s up to them to be forgiving, but just seems like it’s the default position for indigenous Australians to have to take more often than other victims in society
Just doesn’t seem to be working unfortunately
Yeah, that's fair enough.
I guess it's really up to Robbie Young how he personally wants to handle this matter, but generally speaking what you're saying makes a lot of sense.
Agree with the comments about it looking staged. I really hope that this was something Robbie Young wanted to do and he wasn't pressured into it.
Either way, Young's the real hero here. He was thrust in this position through no fault of his own. He shouldn't have to show as much class as he did by being around Tex at all let alone in this video.
Being or looking staged is a given. Same with any apologetic press conference. I don't know why that is even something worth commenting about. What did you expect?
Walker obviously didn't want to be there and i think that the most important thing that was noted by Armstrong and others is that Taylor deflected at least some responsibility by saying that he needed education and the support of others to be a better person.
It shows how far he's had his head up his own backside and how far he has got to go to be decent human being.
Yeah, what he said might've made sense to a detached PR team but to expect Robbie Young, or any indigenous person for that matter, to be responsible for your education on racism is racist in itself.
Indigenous people don't have education on how to let go of prejudices be an anti-racist ally under lock and key. Taylor is more than capable of doing so himself, or at the very least not giving the burden of his education to someone who doesn't want to carry it.
I feel like you can't win with public apologies. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. You fucked up and people want to pile on you for a bit until they get bored.
It’s very rare that these high profile apologies actually take full responsibility and accept all the blame. This one certainly didn’t…
The recent one I can think of that got close to actually taking the blame is Steve Smith after the ball tampering. There’s a reason why that hasn’t stuck to him and that apology is part of it.
Steve smith? My god I’ll agree Tex’s apology was poor but I’m certain I remember Steve pretending he didn’t know the ball tampering had even happened and then switching on the waterworks.
OP is right apology videos are almost always a bad result. If people want to they’re going to twist the words or take tears as disingenuous regardless of if they actually are.
Mathew Nicks genuine press conference verses Ted’s staged video is jarring. People want to see genuine remorse and emotional change. They don’t want. stage managed event
I’m really glad abc left it to Tony to comment. And I’m glad that he, being a new reporter, has the freedom in his reporting obligations to call it out and give his take.
Could be something as simple as Robbie didn't want to sit next to Walker. Assuming Robbie wants to try and forgive him, in all likelihood he would still be frustrated enough to not want to sit beside him.
I love Tony and completely agree with the comments about the apology being staged and weird - he shouldn’t be ‘leaning on’ the person he vilified, the victim shouldn’t be consoling the abuser and it isn’t up to Indigenous people to educate white people.
We all have Google, we all have the choice of what discourse we engage with online and in person, and we all have the ability to learn about the experiences of others, allowing us to be more empathetic and understanding.
I also don’t like that they kept the beginning of the video where he’s choking up. I understand that he’s upset, but that is some reality TV-level editing and manipulation right there.
Does people saying he needs education mystify anybody else? He's been in the system for long enough now, is old enough and has seen firsthand racism in the football world, towards teammates and opposition players. Education about racism is key for a young person because you're so ignorant in your teens about so many things, but a 31 year old man should know that what he said is reprehensible and unacceptable.
Also got a massive mancrush on Tony. Really hope to see more of him.
He's played alongside Eddie when he had a banana thrown at him, insane that he does not have the awareness around abuse having seen it affect his own teammates
Yeah he shouldn’t have pulled out the education crap, he said what he said knowing it was a low blow and would hit the guy where it hurts. It wasn’t a lack of education, he knew full well what he was doing.
Analogies are simply that. Extreme ones are designed to make us think. Think about our own actions.
Do you believe a victim should have to comfort the assailant. Should he say that’s okay.
The apology is incredibly poor. No ownership.
I'm sorry, but this shouldn't be upvoted, being a sex offender is very different from making a racist comment. Sexual assault is a very serious crime, and there's no need to compare it to racism.
You’re comparing the offences but losing sight of the effects both have on the victims. This story should not be about the perpetrators at all (and this pr stunt is plainly about the dickhead racist and how he is dealing with his own issues), - but the victims and how they have to deal with their traumas.
Racism is also extremely serious.
As someone who’s been both a victim of sexual assault and constant racism throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have PTSD relating to both types of abuse.
Diminishing the extreme mental anguish that is caused by being targeted, abused and denigrated for something you have absolutely no control over is a horrific experience and people not taking it seriously or invalidating those who do experience it only further exacerbates the trauma.
Of course racism is also extremely serious, they are just different circumstances/crimes and there's no need to compare them. Saying that what if we asked someone to sit next to a sex offender has nothing to do with this Tex situation, and is an odd comment to make. I agree with everything you have said.
It’s actually not a silly or strange comparison at all.
Both types of events cause trauma.
Both have victims and perpetrators.
We never have victims having to support and sit with their abusers in other traumatic situations, so why do we make it happen here?
Why not allow a victim impact statement. Oh no instead the victim must support the assailant.
Many people feel like they know a football player because they see them every week.
But football players are actors. They’re entertainers. We know nothing about them unless we actually know them. Everything we see is managed and choreographed.
What do you think of Toby Greene? Whether positive or negative or even neutral. Unless you know him you’ve formed a view based on his performance just like an actor.
To me this actually felt like systemic racism.
What real choice did Robbie have?
It’s kinda “come on mate show you’re the better man”.
You know what. That’s bullshit. Rex never acknowledged being racist, just that it was a racist comment.
He’s removing the comment from himself. He’s not owned or admitted a thing.
Sorry but I have to draw the line here. The fact you are comparing sexual abuse to what Walker did is actually fucking foul and totally disrespectful to sexual abuse survivors. I take personal offence to this and you should be genuinely embarassed.
I'm not comparing types of abuse. I'm pointing out that its crazy that Robbie is being asked to support Walker.
You're the one who should be genuinely embarrassed because since this story has broke you've done nothing but try to minimise Walkers actions.
Nah, I'm not going to back down from you comparing a sexual abuse survivor and abuser to the interaction between Young and Walker. They are so different that it's offensive you'd even mention it and instead of saying "you're right I shouldn't have down played sexual abuse" you decided to double down and personally attack me too.
Have a genuine think about the types of impact youv have on actual sexual abuse survivors when you make absolutely baffling clients like that. If you want me to put what Walker did on the same level as sexual abuse then you're absolutely right that I'm minimising it because it's not the same in the slightest.
How can you personally attack someone and then be aghast at them attacking back?
Even now you're clutching at my "comparison" and trying to make it seem like what Walker did was not so bad. Why can't you just admit that Walker is a racist dickhead?
We're not going to agree here. Just try to be aware how insensitive it is to compare sexual abuse to what Walker did.
I'm not defending walker here, I'm defending sexual abuse survivors and the fact I've had to explain that to you shows how hell bent you are on trying to win an online argument instead of caring about the impact comments like your comparison make.
Have a good one.
I understand the curiosity mate but when the accused has come out and admitted it, I don't think it matters what was said nor does it need to be repeated.
genuine question: does saying one racist thing get you the label of being a racist? and if so, how much time has to pass until you are no longer deemed a racist?
I’ve never been a fan of walker, but here I’m not sure what he can do? The video was terrible, felt very staged and the little tear up and look away at the start seem like it’s off a public television soap opera, and haveing Robbie sitting in a different row, seems strange.
What’s been said has been said. I don’t know what people want from him now? He said all the apologies and keys words, but that doesn’t do or change anything realy.
He could shut up? The video felt more like it was about absolving him publicly and absolving him of guilt, like ‘well I’m forgiven now it’s fine’ then anything else.
Bloke should shut up and take the time to step back and learn. Anyone saying racist slurs doesn’t suddenly become non racist overnight. It all feels very self serving.
I think he was being berated to have a press conference. He’ll have to have one if he ever wants to play again. It’s the difference between whatever the fuck that video was and answering in depth questions
But that’s the problem, he can’t win. Before that video people where complaining he hasn’t publicly apologised, now they complain because he publicly apologised….. can win
Never really thought about it in the way he describes thinking about past interactions etc. Really puts some perspective on how it can affect someone’s mental state. Second guessing yourself. That was enlightening to me.
Tony was so great on Saturday Stretch on the weekend, idk if he was just filling in but I think they should get rid of Jordan Lewis and have Tony on it full time.
On Saturday Stretch Tony pointed out something that I haven’t really seen mentioned elsewhere - that Spider Everett got the same $20,000 fine and a four week suspension for making a racist comment something like 23 years ago and how supposedly ‘we’ve come so far’ in regards to racism but if that’s true how is it that 23 years later, Taylor Walker gets fined $20,000 and suspended for 6 weeks.
Doesn’t quite seem fair with Dermie and Garry Lyon having admitted to racial slurs in their careers and being the faces of Fox Footy. You don’t get a pass from me because it was the eighties and everyone was doing it. Cancel Tex fine but cancel the rest with him.
I still believe it's mostly because it's fresh. Call me crazy but the idea that Wayne Carey can just sit in a commentary box and get paid for it bothers me greatly if we're going to decide that Tex is finished in footy forever.
Not defending him but any apology is going to have some element of being staged, these videos take prior planning and careful consideration due to the very content covered.
I’d love it if he just went live on instagram or something and spoke purely from the heart but footy players aren’t exactly wordsmiths and he’s liable to make the whole situation worse by apologising the wrong way.
What was weird is how he said he phrased things as if he’s the one that requires support. If he knew the inequality and inequity Indigenous populations experience every day due to overt or even perceived racism he wouldn’t be talking like that.
All the education and resources he could ever need are out there, without having to lean on the community he vilified and the victim he abused.
Anybody can go educate themselves in 2021 on this stuff if you just put a bit of effort into going and looking for resources.
It’s piss weak from Tex.
The point is that hes 31, has played around indigenous players since juniors, and should know better. He's not a naive child from the country who doesn't know any better, he should be considering how all of his experiences and education on the matter to this point in his career *didn't* stop this from happening
well I hope not. we're not running a smear campaign on Walker. he's in the spotlight for his racist comments and it should be left at that. Unless of course some other racist commentary comes into light... but I don't want to see his character attacked just because he's vulnerable.
Listened to an interesting Radiolab podcast recently on apologies, and it seems basically no matter what you say it will not be accepted. I think the case they looked at was Japanese war crimes, and no matter what they said in the apology it wouldn't be accepted. Not sure it applies here, but an interesting subject.
With tough subjects like racism, a public apology simply isn't enough. It's not what people need to see.
Japanese War Crimes are tenfold what racism is, they can't expect to be forgiven, however the generations that follow shouldn't also be reprimanded based on previous ideologies, however there needs to be proof of social progress with memorials and proof to action that these crimes will never exist in any form for any future generations.
Actions speak louder than words, and if he's serious about this "apology" - he should treat this as an acknowledgement of his shitty racist actions, self reflect and begin to understand his own racist undertones and feelings, only then can he work to redeem himself by being an actual understanding person, rather than a racist cunt.
Love Tony, what a good guy.
I love his addition to the news team and increasing his presence in the media too, so good
ABC News Breakfast is wholly underrated full stop. Tony just makes it even better.
Gee I wonder what good an unbiased news channel could do! /s
Bit to league/NSW heavy for mine, but you're right on the money.
My thoughts too, but he seems like a great guy and always enjoyable to have on in the morning.
Weekend Breakfast comes from Sydney, weekdays are from Melbourne.
Oh I am a *big* fan of Jo N, I know...
Hey! Stay away from my Johanna!
... okay but you can't claim Karina too!
I didnt know how they were gonna replace P.K. but geez he's close!
He’s better!
he is an absolute star
Yep. Noticed how good he was on Offsiders. Hope he gets more screen time.
He pops on The Project from time to time too, great inclusion, as does Georgie Tunny
I went to school with him, he was a ripping bloke then, always super inclusive and just great to be around
It's such good insight, honestly. The thought process he described sounds like an unpleasant thing to experience, so it's great of him to share something personal. Love how blunt he is here.
I think he looks like an actor from a 70\`s porno flick, myself?
Congratulations. The first stupid comment in an intelligent conversation.
Great response by Tony. Call me a cynic, but the response from Tex about education just seems like they’ve dusted off the generic press release in response to racism. If it was an 18 or 19 year old (not that it would excuse racism), education would make a lot of sense. But Tex is 31 years old, been playing footy with indigenous players for a long time, comes from a town with a significant indigenous population and been a captain of a footy club for 5 years. He would’ve witnessed racism first hand at the club (usually from the supporters to players). He was captain in the game where Eddie Betts had a banana thrown at him for Gods sake. I don’t think he needs education, he needs self reflection on why it hasn’t gotten through to him. Saying it’s about education shifts the blame from him implying he didn’t know better, or didn’t understand. I just don’t think that’s the case. Obviously it shouldn’t be the end of him as a person, and he can grow and come back better, but if he doesn’t have the necessary education already to self reflect and be a better person then I don’t know if he’ll ever find it.
I agree with you whole-heartedly regarding Tex, but do think that’s not quite a fair characterization of how the club itself has handled it. Matthew Nicks’ press conference was the opposite of what you’re saying : he literally said that they have no excuse and receive the most education of anyone in the country, and while acknowledging that Tex would be struggling refused to support him until support was given to the indigenous players in his care first. Very disappointed in Taylor; pretty happy with the club (this video aside - I agree it’s very odd having Robbie support Tex, but don’t know the context of how or who put that video together)
Yep, very true and have deleted the mention of the crows. Was more thinking that the crows would’ve been feeding Tex the PR lines rather than the actual crows response (which was good). But now that I think about it, it’d probably be coming direct from Tex’s manager and the crows aren’t too involved with what he’s saying.
Someone pointed out the he wasn't in crows gear, just a plain white shirt. So I think your right that it was from his management.
> I agree it’s very odd having Robbie support Tex, but don’t know the context of how or who put that video together) I'd bet they have the same agent/manager.
> I don’t think he needs education, he needs self reflection on why it hasn’t gotten through to him. Saying it’s about education shifts the blame from him implying he didn’t know better, or didn’t understand. I just don’t think that’s the case. 100% spot on!
You have absolutely bloody nailed it. An education program is perfect for, let’s say, a 13 year old girl who called an Indigenous player an ‘ape’, not for a fucking grown ass man who, as you have pointed out, has played with Indigenous players for long bloody enough.
Tex would have had more indigenous education than probably everyone in this thread.
I'm finding this across the board in the AFL at the moment. It's underpinned on the first page of the [AFL's vilification policy](https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Respect%20and%20Responsibility/AFL_Vilification_Policy.pdf) (paraphrasing a bit here): > 'To achieve a *[safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all people involved]* the AFL adopts a consistent approach to a range of social issues, underpinned by **education**, awareness-raising activities, support services, social responsibilities, research and evaluation and compliance. ' But what education is actually happening? Look at the last 10 years in the AFL: the Goodes saga, Eddie McGuire liking Goodes to King Kong, the Collingwood Football club having a report come down which showed systemic racism present in the club, and now Tex. All those things - in some way - were internal from players, media, personnel or the league itself. This doesn't fan involvement like Betts having a banana thrown at him, or the various racial abuse fans (of all clubs) throw at players via twitter. So it doesn't seem like education is like... working. What is education anyway? Does Tex have to sit down and watch Rabbit Proof Fence now? The AFL list the 'AFL Cultural Strategy and Education Unit' as a key stakeholder in education but when I google them I can't find a list of names in this unit. Or what this unit *does* exactly? I'm not crying out some conspiracy, I'm just genuinely concerned that 'education' has become the crying call of an industry that doesn't *really* want to do anything about this.
An industry, or a whole country? I’d suggest this is a symptom of a much wider problem.
spot on.
My main issue with this apology, apart from clearly being a PR activity, is how a 31-yr old AFL player who's played with many indigenous players along the way is only now getting "educated" after he's been caught. He's probably gotten away with similar language earlier. I'd like such apologies to tell people "NOT" to do it. That it is disrespectful and stupid so that others get educated not to act like dickheads even if they're not getting caught.
He's also had plenty of education as an AFL player. What possible further education can he need? It's really just a thing you say to get out of trouble
Exactly. I'm all for an educational approach when it comes to these things but ffs, he had more educational on the effects of racism than most of us, and still said that shit. It wasn't a mistake, it wasn't a slip of the tongue, or a joke, it was racism pure and simple. Seriously, how hard is it to call someone a cunt without adding colour?
Apart from being a dog act, insulting someone using their race is just lazy and unoriginal. Shows how incredibly one dimensional he must be
"Oh, I knew I couldn't call them the one word. I didn't know I couldn't call them *that* though."
It could have come from the club, but didn’t want their branding on it particularly because of sponsors. Call my a cynic but it’s happened before when scandals have come out with clubs.
I thought that exactly, Tex is even in a white shirt rather than Crows gear
And just saw an article about one of the crows sponsors worried about the handling of it. Should get interesting soon.
Honestly, what the hell is he supposed to do? I don't think anyone would accept anything he done at the moment, they just want their pound of flesh. I'm not condoning racism, but there's a big difference between making a dumb, knee-jerk comment in the heat of the moment and actually thinking that you're somehow superior to other races of people and living your life by it. I love Tex, and I think him and his family are probably doing it pretty tough at the moment, so he probably doesn't need every other do-gooder in the country casting the first stone at him from their high horse, to know the ramifications of his actions. Tex's legacy with the Crows, the AFL and the media have been tarnished forever and he probably won't play again at the highest level, so I would think say that's fairly adequate, wouldn't you? Lastly, it's pretty easy to kick a man while he's down, but it's the hardest thing to help him up when everyone will hate you for doing it. That takes heart and I applaud Robbie Young for sitting with him, even if they did ask him to do it, he could have said no. It's forgiveness and brining people together that defeats racism, not division and punishment.
In your eyes Tex is the victim and First Nations people need to get around these racist victims to help them understand. Meanwhile racism plays out daily in Australia and who gets around the victims of racism?
People aren’t kicking Tex as much as making this racist accountable for his actions. Yes he’s a racist. That’s factual. I believe he needs a lot of introspection. Until he says I’m a racist, he can’t say I dont want to be a racist. I want to change. This is no different to a drug or alcohol addiction. Until you admit your failings not excuse or apologise for them, you can’t change. This is not a slip of the tongue. No one who isn’t systemically racist or is consciously racist would use these words. Let’s not excuse any one. What I didn’t hear from Tex was an acknowledgment and reflection on all his errors in the past. There is no way this is the only ever expression of racism.
Tony is spot on here, it shouldn't come down to the indigenous person to take the high road. I do wonder if this is what Robbie wanted to do though, like if he genuinely chose to be apart of this video himself and help out Tex, and now people are saying they feel sorry for him for doing so? Feels a bit like... patronising or something.
It’s fucking sickening watching indigenous people time and time again being asked to support and educate their abusers. You wouldn’t ask a woman (or any victim/survivor) to sit there and offer emotional support to her assaulter. Tex can do work on himself without needing his victim to sit there and coddle him. It’s 2021 - all the tools and resources and education anybody could ever need is available and out there and there’s simply no excuse for this shit. I’m sure Tex is sorry and all the rest of it but he’s been in the AFL for how many fucking years, where indigenous culture is celebrated, where indigenous people are over represented compared to elsewhere in society, and he still says this. It’s not fucking good enough for him to have the audacity to sit there and say he’s going to be leaning on Robbie Young for support. It doesn’t matter if Robbie Young is brave enough to offer that support - it should never ever come to that. Walker should already have that support and education, and if he doesn’t, fucking go get it elsewhere without leaning on your victim.
tony armstrong has been great on the ABC. It’s so good that we have this level of representation in the ABC at least.
This right here is why representation in media matters. Does Tony speak for all Indigenous people? Of course not, but he can respond to this incident and more than likely speak from experience and give an Indigenous perspective. Media representation is so important, we just need to see more of it more regularly.
Again, Tony Armstrong just seems like such a good bloke. Would love for him to get more gigs on live footy, so well spoken.
Man, I've never thought about this before, but it's insane how few commentary jobs are filled by indigenuous people. Which is crazy when you think about the volume of players with indigenous backgrounds, and particularly the stars.
I like Tony far too much for him to have to put up with the boof heads on live footy, haha.
he got a spot on Fox Footy on Saturday night, maybe as a trial for permanent position? Fox Footy really needs more diversity, and there's several white blokes on their payroll who I would not miss if they got axed
Regardless of race, he has a really calming voice. Would love to hear him call some footy over some of the blokes who just yell and have become caricatures of themselves over the years.
Eddie does my head in every time he commentates a Victorian game.
I only ever see the "so well spoken" when its attached to poc.
I see it used a lot for ex footballers (regardless of race) that go into the media, since they tend to be as dumb as a house of bricks.
This 100%, anytime I watch a post game with an articulate young man my partner and I always say 'jeez he speaks well' because it is surprising
Fucking straight up. You really don’t expect it.
Tom Highmore gave an interview after one of his first good games, and it was completely bizarre. He's played less than 5 games to that point, he was playing SANFL not long beforehand, and he talked like a completely well adjusted 300 gamer.
young players tend to not be as concussed.
I get what youre saying because it is a common trope, but I think the context here is that he's well spoken for a footballer. He's not BT or Brett Kirk or Jack Higgins, he communicates effectively.
Brett Kirk's speech is one of the most beautiful things I've heard though
Brett Kirk is a warrior poet
On top of that I've seen it said for Bartel and Hodge when they started out in commentary and it's commonly thrown around for young footballers a fair bit.
And same for Tony Lockett when he spoke to the team before the Danny Frawley match. Believe I said he was very well spoken or didn't expect him to be so eloquent.
I remember commentators kept saying it about Bont for his first 2 or 3 years.
Hodge 100% - I was shocked to hear how eloquent he was. Mostly because of [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILyWsQTPmrc)
What's wrong with poor Shaun Higgins that he belongs in that company? Haha
I dont know what's wrong with my brain sometimes. I did wake up not long before writing it, so ill use that as my excuse, but I meant Jack Higgins. Mr "my hearts pumping 1000 minutes per second". I love the guy, he is a ball of joy, but he's not exactly a wordsmith.
Haha that's fair enough!
BT is actually a brilliant speaker who articulates his thoughts quite well, just because he gets excited about a don’t argue followed by a snap on goal doesn’t mean he’s an idiot… Half this sub probably think what’s he’s saying during a passage of play but give him shit for some reason?
Are you thinking of a different BT? A brilliant speaker mate? "BUTLER BUTLER BUTLER BUTLER" "THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT WAS OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT. WAS. OUT. OF. BOUNDS." "HE LOOKS AT HIM AND SAYS THATS THE SORT OF THING I CAN DO!..... BECAUSE IM EDDIE!"
Pretty rough comment to make. Lots of people think Tony has a good voice for journalism/commentating and is actually interesting to listen to and you're implying it's only said because he's a poc? Edit: Not that I think it's an explanation necessarily needed but my reasoning for stating he's well spoken is because I'd prefer to listen to him commentate a game over BT, Dwayne Russell etc. It would be refreshing to have a commentator his age.
That is true a lot of the time, but for me this is the first I'm seeing of him as a personality on TV and what has struck me is how comfortable he appears on camera which I think lends itself to the description of him being well spoken. Plenty of people that have been in the business a long arse time don't seem half as comfortable
I think generally what you say is fair. The context tho is that he’s an ex footballer working in football media and he’s clearly a better communicator than Jack Higgins, or even other guys with media experience, like Brett Kirk.
Athletic comments.
Poc?
Person/people of colour
Oh! What a bad take
Its obvious people don't understand this. Then again they would be the same people who call indigenous players magic or xfactor types. So we'll spoken is a fucking backhanded compliment from someone who has a prejudiced preconceived notion that the person they are judging is an idiot.
The comment I've made isn't related to Tony's skin colour or his AFL background. Before today I was actually unaware Tony had an AFL background. I didn't mean for it to come across as a backhanded compliment and I apologise if it's come across that way to anyone.
Sorry I wasn't singling you out and it is clear that wasn't your intention. We have all done this in our lives and it was more an observation of a thing we do without really questioning it.
Tony Armstrong. Great bloke, great moustache.
Re the Mo? Not better than Boonie's, Merv's or DK Lilley though. Let's face it, cricket is the natural home of the Mo.
They should stick him in the test side based on just his mo then.
What frustrates me is that this isn't weeded out at junior level. On Phillip Island, there were recent posts by a mum of a Fijian child who has been subject to massive levels of racism with the school doing very little to support them. We're talking brutal stuff of a girl sending her videos calling her a gorilla and her boyfriend comparing her to a burn sausage. Neither of them has been suspended or expelled, the disciplinary is minor at best, and one of the kids parents dropped by and threatened her after the videos were sent to the press. The irony in her case is that the AFL has been completely supportive when it was discovered this had infiltrated her footy but the schools were largely useless. Here is the articles, but I saw the original videos her mum posted on facebook in the Phillip Island group and they were horrendous https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/aus-fiji-tikitok-troll/13479612
It’s a sad thing when kids are saying “it’s an everyday thing now”. I’ve got a nephew that plays under 15’s footy and he was upset by racist comments made by opposition players and their parents. He’s a freaky good footballer and will play at the highest level. I just hope everyone gets to see his talent on show and he doesn’t grow to hate the game and all non indigenous people. I’ll be at every game from now on and I’ll choose violence on any adults that think they have the right to racially vilify any kids.
> If this is the one that was caught, you think of all the ones that happen when you aren't there This is so important. And isn't really talked about. Most people are friendly and amicable when speaking face to face. The repercussions are visible and we watch our words. Look I think many people are guilty of racist(overt and subtle) comments in "safe environments" or at the very least tolerate remarks amongst close friends and family to keep the peace. Most people in this subreddit denounce Tex but I wonder how many of us have made a racist comment in the last year. Not trying to sling mud it's just my general thoughts, I know I can do better.
Problem is, everything seems to be deemed racist these days. Somebody was called racist above because they said Tony was "well spoken". I have never seen such bullshit
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There's a lot of assumptions built in to that attitude though. I'd be more ready to get on board with it as a general thing if "well spoken" wasn't also a phrase used to describe white people, but it is. It's a very commonly used phrase to describe people who are eloquent. It isn't something that's applied predominantly to certain racial groups (compared for example to something that is quite clearly racist like "he's one of the good ones"). If you apply the same logic used to say "well spoken" is racist, couldn't you also call "good bloke" racist? Because you could twist yourself around to say "well yeah but you're only calling him a good bloke because he conforms to white norms". Please don't mistake this comment for me sticking up for people who use dog whistles to convey racist undertones: I absolutely accept that happens. But there's also a whole group of people who love and appreciate our indigenous friends for the people they are, and who respect them and their heritage. We use language and terms that we are familiar with to describe those feelings. That doesn't make us racist.
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> I’m sure I get it wrong because I’m human but trust me that term can and has been used as a backhanded compliment. I won't for a second deny your experience. You'd have experienced racism and me as a white person won't ever really understand that in the way you do. I don't doubt for a second that the term has been used as a backhanded compliment. But I would like to think that doesn't mean that then taints all usage of the word: surely the shitbags that use it that way don't drive the way the rest of us use it. Maybe I'm naïve, but I don't really think that the fact that a (I sincerely hope) minority of shitbags use a phrase that way in any way colours the broader usage of it, that's all.
Surely the context here tho is that many football presenters aren't that articulate and just let loose with the cliches and the banal repetition, and Tony Armstrong provides a refreshing change from that. People are praising him as being well spoken as he's providing a genuinely insightful, thoughtful response to the issue rather than the shallow phrases that we've heard from other commentators eg. Racism needs to stop, Tex has now apologised abd hopefully we see better from him in the future etc. I get where you're coming from but in this case I think it's quite clear people aren't trying to say he sounds 'white'
You probably also the PC has gone too far. You need to know what is actually discriminatory and what is systemically so. Seriously, try something. Go onto a social media site and just act normally, but identify as a minority. See what happens. Whilst I don’t think we should pretend to be who we aren’t, maybe it’d provide an insight.
Why is Walker looking off into the distance and looking extremely uncomfortable? This is PR at best. We need to all reflect on our behaviour at all times. Walker played with Armstrong? I did not realise that. Interesting take.
> Why is Walker looking off into the distance and looking extremely uncomfortable? He's reading a prompt 100%
He makes a great point about the victims always having to be the ones to extend the olive branch and be the bigger person Me personally I think I’d be pretty emotional and pissed off that this shits still going on, so good on Robbie for being the bigger person I guess Maybe the racists won’t learn until the victims bite back
I mean there's nothing wrong for someone expressing forgiveness to someone for the wrongs they've done, but at the same time they do have everything right to tell that person to 'get fucked' as well.
Yeah it’s up to them to be forgiving, but just seems like it’s the default position for indigenous Australians to have to take more often than other victims in society Just doesn’t seem to be working unfortunately
Yeah, that's fair enough. I guess it's really up to Robbie Young how he personally wants to handle this matter, but generally speaking what you're saying makes a lot of sense.
Damn you can tell what he thought about it just by the way he described the video in the 'official' report part at the start.
I love Tony so muuuuuch god damn
Agree with the comments about it looking staged. I really hope that this was something Robbie Young wanted to do and he wasn't pressured into it. Either way, Young's the real hero here. He was thrust in this position through no fault of his own. He shouldn't have to show as much class as he did by being around Tex at all let alone in this video.
Being or looking staged is a given. Same with any apologetic press conference. I don't know why that is even something worth commenting about. What did you expect? Walker obviously didn't want to be there and i think that the most important thing that was noted by Armstrong and others is that Taylor deflected at least some responsibility by saying that he needed education and the support of others to be a better person. It shows how far he's had his head up his own backside and how far he has got to go to be decent human being.
Yeah, what he said might've made sense to a detached PR team but to expect Robbie Young, or any indigenous person for that matter, to be responsible for your education on racism is racist in itself. Indigenous people don't have education on how to let go of prejudices be an anti-racist ally under lock and key. Taylor is more than capable of doing so himself, or at the very least not giving the burden of his education to someone who doesn't want to carry it.
I love Tony. He's just so eloquent
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Too true. The story’s got to be about the victims, not the perpetrators.
Tony is such a legend, unlike most of the media holding Tex up he's telling the truth. I hope we see more of him in the future.
What media holding Tex up? All I have seen is everyone say hes an idiot except for Andrew Krakouer....
I feel like you can't win with public apologies. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. You fucked up and people want to pile on you for a bit until they get bored.
It’s very rare that these high profile apologies actually take full responsibility and accept all the blame. This one certainly didn’t… The recent one I can think of that got close to actually taking the blame is Steve Smith after the ball tampering. There’s a reason why that hasn’t stuck to him and that apology is part of it.
That was his second apology though His first one he didn’t think it was a big deal and he even thought he’d be playing the next game.
Hasn't stuck to him? That's a nice cave you have there.
Steve smith? My god I’ll agree Tex’s apology was poor but I’m certain I remember Steve pretending he didn’t know the ball tampering had even happened and then switching on the waterworks. OP is right apology videos are almost always a bad result. If people want to they’re going to twist the words or take tears as disingenuous regardless of if they actually are.
I disagree. Quality of public apologies vary and responses to them vary
Mathew Nicks genuine press conference verses Ted’s staged video is jarring. People want to see genuine remorse and emotional change. They don’t want. stage managed event
Feels a lot like people are taking all their anger and rage out on one person knowing that he can't respond.
I’m really glad abc left it to Tony to comment. And I’m glad that he, being a new reporter, has the freedom in his reporting obligations to call it out and give his take.
The whole set up of Tex and Robbie sitting on different rows just made it feel like a skit for me
Could be something as simple as Robbie didn't want to sit next to Walker. Assuming Robbie wants to try and forgive him, in all likelihood he would still be frustrated enough to not want to sit beside him.
Probably a covid thing too, socially distancing and what not
Good point 👍
I love Tony and completely agree with the comments about the apology being staged and weird - he shouldn’t be ‘leaning on’ the person he vilified, the victim shouldn’t be consoling the abuser and it isn’t up to Indigenous people to educate white people. We all have Google, we all have the choice of what discourse we engage with online and in person, and we all have the ability to learn about the experiences of others, allowing us to be more empathetic and understanding. I also don’t like that they kept the beginning of the video where he’s choking up. I understand that he’s upset, but that is some reality TV-level editing and manipulation right there.
Does people saying he needs education mystify anybody else? He's been in the system for long enough now, is old enough and has seen firsthand racism in the football world, towards teammates and opposition players. Education about racism is key for a young person because you're so ignorant in your teens about so many things, but a 31 year old man should know that what he said is reprehensible and unacceptable. Also got a massive mancrush on Tony. Really hope to see more of him.
He's played alongside Eddie when he had a banana thrown at him, insane that he does not have the awareness around abuse having seen it affect his own teammates
Yeah he shouldn’t have pulled out the education crap, he said what he said knowing it was a low blow and would hit the guy where it hurts. It wasn’t a lack of education, he knew full well what he was doing.
Imagine if a sex offender got on camera with their victim, apologised and said they were going to "lean on" them for support. Bizarre stuff.
I agree that having Robbie there felt a bit weird/awkward but a sex offence is a bit different in nature, unless you’re just referring to verbal abuse
Analogies are simply that. Extreme ones are designed to make us think. Think about our own actions. Do you believe a victim should have to comfort the assailant. Should he say that’s okay. The apology is incredibly poor. No ownership.
Just any sort of abuse. Walker is not the victim.
I’m not saying he’s the victim at all. Painting all forms of abuse with the same brush is simplifying complex situations just a bit too much
Is it all that different really? Both are victims of a form of abuse.
Not all abuse is the same. If you're talking about sexual abuse as in sexual assault, that's a very serious crime.
Is someone getting slapped vs someone getting murdered the same?
I'm sorry, but this shouldn't be upvoted, being a sex offender is very different from making a racist comment. Sexual assault is a very serious crime, and there's no need to compare it to racism.
You’re comparing the offences but losing sight of the effects both have on the victims. This story should not be about the perpetrators at all (and this pr stunt is plainly about the dickhead racist and how he is dealing with his own issues), - but the victims and how they have to deal with their traumas.
Racism is also extremely serious. As someone who’s been both a victim of sexual assault and constant racism throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have PTSD relating to both types of abuse. Diminishing the extreme mental anguish that is caused by being targeted, abused and denigrated for something you have absolutely no control over is a horrific experience and people not taking it seriously or invalidating those who do experience it only further exacerbates the trauma.
Of course racism is also extremely serious, they are just different circumstances/crimes and there's no need to compare them. Saying that what if we asked someone to sit next to a sex offender has nothing to do with this Tex situation, and is an odd comment to make. I agree with everything you have said.
It’s actually not a silly or strange comparison at all. Both types of events cause trauma. Both have victims and perpetrators. We never have victims having to support and sit with their abusers in other traumatic situations, so why do we make it happen here?
Thank you.
Why not allow a victim impact statement. Oh no instead the victim must support the assailant. Many people feel like they know a football player because they see them every week. But football players are actors. They’re entertainers. We know nothing about them unless we actually know them. Everything we see is managed and choreographed. What do you think of Toby Greene? Whether positive or negative or even neutral. Unless you know him you’ve formed a view based on his performance just like an actor.
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Its more to do with Walker wanting to lean on Robbie Young for support. Where is Robbies support?
Sad thing is you’ll get about 10 upvotes. But the people saying racism and sexual abuse are different will get 50. Systemic bias anyone?
To me this actually felt like systemic racism. What real choice did Robbie have? It’s kinda “come on mate show you’re the better man”. You know what. That’s bullshit. Rex never acknowledged being racist, just that it was a racist comment. He’s removing the comment from himself. He’s not owned or admitted a thing.
Sorry but I have to draw the line here. The fact you are comparing sexual abuse to what Walker did is actually fucking foul and totally disrespectful to sexual abuse survivors. I take personal offence to this and you should be genuinely embarassed.
I'm not comparing types of abuse. I'm pointing out that its crazy that Robbie is being asked to support Walker. You're the one who should be genuinely embarrassed because since this story has broke you've done nothing but try to minimise Walkers actions.
Nah, I'm not going to back down from you comparing a sexual abuse survivor and abuser to the interaction between Young and Walker. They are so different that it's offensive you'd even mention it and instead of saying "you're right I shouldn't have down played sexual abuse" you decided to double down and personally attack me too. Have a genuine think about the types of impact youv have on actual sexual abuse survivors when you make absolutely baffling clients like that. If you want me to put what Walker did on the same level as sexual abuse then you're absolutely right that I'm minimising it because it's not the same in the slightest.
How can you personally attack someone and then be aghast at them attacking back? Even now you're clutching at my "comparison" and trying to make it seem like what Walker did was not so bad. Why can't you just admit that Walker is a racist dickhead?
We're not going to agree here. Just try to be aware how insensitive it is to compare sexual abuse to what Walker did. I'm not defending walker here, I'm defending sexual abuse survivors and the fact I've had to explain that to you shows how hell bent you are on trying to win an online argument instead of caring about the impact comments like your comparison make. Have a good one.
So you're now going to attemp to high road me and walk away from an argument you started. Thats cool I suppose.
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I understand the curiosity mate but when the accused has come out and admitted it, I don't think it matters what was said nor does it need to be repeated.
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genuine question: does saying one racist thing get you the label of being a racist? and if so, how much time has to pass until you are no longer deemed a racist?
If Tex is serious about educating himself then he should leave footy, schooling that bloke is gonna take decades.
Broken Hill coming out in him.
I’ve never been a fan of walker, but here I’m not sure what he can do? The video was terrible, felt very staged and the little tear up and look away at the start seem like it’s off a public television soap opera, and haveing Robbie sitting in a different row, seems strange. What’s been said has been said. I don’t know what people want from him now? He said all the apologies and keys words, but that doesn’t do or change anything realy.
You’re correct he said them. But did he mean them. He certainly didn’t own it.
He could shut up? The video felt more like it was about absolving him publicly and absolving him of guilt, like ‘well I’m forgiven now it’s fine’ then anything else. Bloke should shut up and take the time to step back and learn. Anyone saying racist slurs doesn’t suddenly become non racist overnight. It all feels very self serving.
He was being berrated by the entire AFL media to make a statement.
I think he was being berated to have a press conference. He’ll have to have one if he ever wants to play again. It’s the difference between whatever the fuck that video was and answering in depth questions
But that’s the problem, he can’t win. Before that video people where complaining he hasn’t publicly apologised, now they complain because he publicly apologised….. can win
His voice is like warm butter on toast 👌🏼
Never really thought about it in the way he describes thinking about past interactions etc. Really puts some perspective on how it can affect someone’s mental state. Second guessing yourself. That was enlightening to me.
Ben Cousin’s apology was awful. Taylor’s is a close second.
Tony was so great on Saturday Stretch on the weekend, idk if he was just filling in but I think they should get rid of Jordan Lewis and have Tony on it full time. On Saturday Stretch Tony pointed out something that I haven’t really seen mentioned elsewhere - that Spider Everett got the same $20,000 fine and a four week suspension for making a racist comment something like 23 years ago and how supposedly ‘we’ve come so far’ in regards to racism but if that’s true how is it that 23 years later, Taylor Walker gets fined $20,000 and suspended for 6 weeks.
Wonder if the nuffies in the "apology" video thread will be paying any attention to what Tony has to say here.
Outrageous and depressing at the same time.
I think we need an apology video for the apology video.
Tony is so well-spoken, I hope we get to hear from him more often.
The apology was pure bullshit. Tex ain't sorry, he's sorry he was caught out.
Tony is a national treasure, we're lucky to have him. Always great to watch on the Project and stoked he's got a gig at the ABC.
It doesn't seem like there's any way back for Tex for Tony or many others sadly, possibly including the Crows, but you make your own bed...
Doesn’t quite seem fair with Dermie and Garry Lyon having admitted to racial slurs in their careers and being the faces of Fox Footy. You don’t get a pass from me because it was the eighties and everyone was doing it. Cancel Tex fine but cancel the rest with him.
I still believe it's mostly because it's fresh. Call me crazy but the idea that Wayne Carey can just sit in a commentary box and get paid for it bothers me greatly if we're going to decide that Tex is finished in footy forever.
What did he actually say?
Not defending him but any apology is going to have some element of being staged, these videos take prior planning and careful consideration due to the very content covered. I’d love it if he just went live on instagram or something and spoke purely from the heart but footy players aren’t exactly wordsmiths and he’s liable to make the whole situation worse by apologising the wrong way. What was weird is how he said he phrased things as if he’s the one that requires support. If he knew the inequality and inequity Indigenous populations experience every day due to overt or even perceived racism he wouldn’t be talking like that.
I can’t believe Port are going to get a home qualifying final because Taylor Walkers a dumb racist prick
Thanks for posting this. Tony is a really well spoken bloke. We need to cut this shit out of our game.
I'm amazed at the calibre of comments across platforms. FB and Insta: Racist bogans. Reddit: Supportive legends.
Twitter is somewhere in between
How else is Tex meant to learn without talking to Aboriginal people to educate himself? Thats what he means by lean on.
All the education and resources he could ever need are out there, without having to lean on the community he vilified and the victim he abused. Anybody can go educate themselves in 2021 on this stuff if you just put a bit of effort into going and looking for resources. It’s piss weak from Tex.
The point is that hes 31, has played around indigenous players since juniors, and should know better. He's not a naive child from the country who doesn't know any better, he should be considering how all of his experiences and education on the matter to this point in his career *didn't* stop this from happening
There's more than enough material out there for him to educate himself with. Why burden indigenous people with having to educate this man-child?
31 year olds should know to not use racial slurs at people
He's had 30 odd years to learn.
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well I hope not. we're not running a smear campaign on Walker. he's in the spotlight for his racist comments and it should be left at that. Unless of course some other racist commentary comes into light... but I don't want to see his character attacked just because he's vulnerable.
Does Reddit know what was actually said?
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Listened to an interesting Radiolab podcast recently on apologies, and it seems basically no matter what you say it will not be accepted. I think the case they looked at was Japanese war crimes, and no matter what they said in the apology it wouldn't be accepted. Not sure it applies here, but an interesting subject.
With tough subjects like racism, a public apology simply isn't enough. It's not what people need to see. Japanese War Crimes are tenfold what racism is, they can't expect to be forgiven, however the generations that follow shouldn't also be reprimanded based on previous ideologies, however there needs to be proof of social progress with memorials and proof to action that these crimes will never exist in any form for any future generations. Actions speak louder than words, and if he's serious about this "apology" - he should treat this as an acknowledgement of his shitty racist actions, self reflect and begin to understand his own racist undertones and feelings, only then can he work to redeem himself by being an actual understanding person, rather than a racist cunt.