"Do Better" review made public

[CrossPie18]

This is the real stuff. A view on the lasting personal impact of racism.

All credit to Leon...he has raised it in an articulate manner and talked about specific instances....not vague generalities like some others of the time.

It's not great that he hasn't been consulted by the club after publication of the report, given his stature as our indigenous games holder. Ultimately, he makes the point that racism genuinely existed (still exists) and he simply wants change to ensure a better deal for his kids and future generations. A good man. Worth a read.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/20/former-collingwood-player-leon-davis-we-dont-want-our-kids-to-have-to-go-through-the-bullshit


On this whole subject, I for one am tired of the media adding fuel every few days with more commentary (often random) from the various players in this saga. I think the club has to fast track some key actions, while enunciating a longer term plan to show it has bought into the findings and getting on with the job of driving change.....the pressure on the current players, coaches and administration will grow with every loss, as journalists will seek to use this issue as a sub-plot to every problem that comes up. Not showing fast progress in a few areas will fester through 2021 and every loss or misgiving will be compounded by endless questions in the media and at post-match press conferences.

[Mr Miyagi]

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]

I really don't know what it would require for some people to see we have an issue with racism at the Club, not sure whats worse, the fact the shit happened or the fact so many seem the need to run the whataboutism card to downplay it

[billy_picken25]

‘That is a form of systemic racism’: Buckley admits he was dismissive of Lumumba - The age article title

“It’s about the experiences of those that feel like they have been marginalised and discriminated against and felt lesser in the environment and that’s over a long period of time.”

That's a start, recognition! It's a journey, not a final destination.

[slangman]

[K]

"There were more incidents on the public record such as when Rex Hunt vilified Davis on radio in 2005 that went to mediation... Hunt apologised but Davis then had to deal with death threats and racist correspondence from “fans” who blamed him for the furore and wanted him to leave the club."

[Lazza]

Unfortunately I reckon Aus win the gold medal when it comes to blaming the victim 🥺 I have literally seen/heard this hundreds of times in my life. The only way I knew how to deal with it was to immediately confront the perpetrator but had limited success due to their denial of intent or not giving a flying duck about it. I suspect that this behaviour will always go on unabated.

[partypie]

Tony Armstrong, former Crow, Swan and Pie, is now the sports reporter for ABC Breakfast, replacing PaulKennedy, who will be hosting the 7.30 Report. I always liked him as a player, hope he goes well

[thesoretoothsayer]

[K]

[Presti35]

I saw someone get fired for saying something deemed racist some years back. That persons son is now on an AFL list.

[K]

TV reported there was someone at last Friday's game wearing a cap with a swastika on it. A Jewish guy took a photo (but did not want to confront the person).

Just what we need. A bloody Nazi at the footy.

[K]

'Mark Korda has apologised unconditionally to estranged ex-premiership player Heritier Lumumba and any other past players who suffered systemic racism at the club.
...

“It’s sad that Heritier is estranged from Collingwood. We understand why and we’d like to take the opportunity, on behalf of the board and our entire club, to apologise to him. And we would like to see you [Lumumba] at ease with Collingwood again. [We hope] the work we are doing in the Do Better report helps that to occur.”

Korda said that his apology extended to all those past players “of colour” and had “no qualifications”.'

(The Age, April 25)

[K]

"Racism flickers at the edge of white people’s consciousness, but for those who aren’t Caucasian, it is an everyday, in-your-face reality.

For former Essendon footballer Nathan Lovett-Murray, it is the memory of constantly finding himself in fights at school without knowing why. At nearly 40, it burns still.
...

“It’s exhausting,” says Richmond AFLW footballer Akec Makur Chuot. “You don’t ever let your guard down.”

She doesn’t ride trams or trains, knowing she will be shunned, nor carry a backpack when she goes out, knowing it will be searched.
...

There’s casual racism. “You’re not too bad,” the young and promising Lovett-Murray was told one day at Essendon. “You’re a good Aboriginal.” It wasn’t so long ago, either.
...

“I remember looking out of the window and thinking suicide,” says Lovett-Murray. “I remember this bird hit the window and snapped me out of it.”
...

“All right, some people won’t, I get that,” says Lovett-Murray. “But their kids are going to get it. A new generation is going to come through and they’re not going to stand for racism any more.”"

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/you-don-t-ever-let-your-guard-down-racism-and-reality-in-australia-20210603-p57xpf.html

[Mr Miyagi]

So no review for the Adelaide FC? No media pile ons? There have been incidents of racism going back years, it’s not the first time for Walker. Yes the media is reporting on Walker, but compare the reactions with Collingwood. It’s chalk and cheese. Clearly there are culture/system issues at Adelaide, the same that was at Collingwood, yet it’s crickets and tumbleweeds.