Majak Daw the target of racist taunts

[firstdogonthemoon]

Seriously who are these people? Did anyone here witness any of this? Apparently they were behind the goals on level one. One report says they were Doggies supporters and another says they weren't affiliated.

[LostDoggy]

It's probably our cheer squad. Was the reason I left it.

[firstdogonthemoon]

It's probably our cheer squad. Was the reason I left it.

I would be careful of saying something like that if you didn't know for sure. I know the cheer squad can be heavy duty but that is pretty serious.

[Eastdog]

Very bad whoever is behind it. Racism is unacceptable and needs to be stamped out completely.

[AndrewP6]

I've heard two stories, one: they were members, and two: they weren't affiliated.

[Eastdog]

I've heard two stories, one: they were members, and two: they weren't affiliated.

So were not either Dogs or North fans?

[Scorlibo]

Is that why the coppers were perusing through the stands on level 1?

[Eastdog]

Is that why the coppers were perusing through the stands on level 1?

Yeah I noticed that.

[AndrewP6]

So were not either Dogs or North fans?

If the second rumour is true, yes. A lot of unknowns though at the moment.

[AndrewP6]

Here's the AFL report on it. The article states they are believed to support the Bulldogs, although the pair denied it :(

link (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-12/daw-allegedly-subject-of-racist-abuse)

[The Adelaide Connection]

I would be careful of saying something like that if you didn't know for sure. I know the cheer squad can be heavy duty but that is pretty serious.

Haha, you're telling me. On a bit of a tangent, I remember a few years ago I came over (think it was v. Melbourne on a Friday night) and I decided to leave the comfort of my covered Premiership club seat to brave the elements with the few die hards behind the goals on L1 for a quarter.

Most had fled for higher ground and the whole bay was probably 80% free and I took a spot in an empty row closest to the cheersquad. A bloke from the cheersquad turned around and told me I had to leave. "Reserved for cheersquad". I thought he was joking and laughed (seeing it was absolutely smashing down) and then he sternly said "either leave now, or I get security". For the record my dogs scarf was clearly visible.

[Twodogs]

Seriously who are these people? Did anyone here witness any of this? Apparently they were behind the goals on level one. One report says they were Doggies supporters and another says they weren't affiliated.


It wasnt just on L1 either.

[Ghost Dog]

Haha, you're telling me. On a bit of a tangent, I remember a few years ago I came over (think it was v. Melbourne on a Friday night) and I decided to leave the comfort of my covered Premiership club seat to brave the elements with the few die hards behind the goals on L1 for a quarter.

Most had fled for higher ground and the whole bay was probably 80% free and I took a spot in an empty row closest to the cheersquad. A bloke from the cheersquad turned around and told me I had to leave. "Reserved for cheersquad". I thought he was joking and laughed (seeing it was absolutely smashing down) and then he sternly said "either leave now, or I get security". For the record my dogs scarf was clearly visible.

That's pretty rude. There are a lot of misfits, unbalanced folk, and people who use fandom to express their weirdness at the football.
I seem to attract them. They walk up and start talking to me!

[G-Mo77]

I actually see so much positives out of this. 2 idiots out of 23k and people not standing for it by reporting them to authorities. It's a sign of how far we've come to stamp out racism.

I do feel sad for Majak, his career night his tarnished by this.

[Throughandthrough]

Disclaimer :I am completely and 100% against racism


The Majak love by the commentators (and the Nic nat love too in previous games) was a bit Ott for mine

watching the match.

Screaming his name when he is within three metres of the ball was a bit silly. And personally wouldn't he rather be known as a footballer rather that the first etc etx!

As for the racists, ban them for life. Going to the footy isn't a right, it's a privilege

[azabob]

I actually see so much positives out of this. 2 idiots out of 23k and people not standing for it by reporting them to authorities. It's a sign of how far we've come to stamp out racism.

I do feel sad for Majak, his career night his tarnished by this.

Im pretty sure he copped more taunts a couple of weeks back as well.

[G-Mo77]

Im pretty sure he copped more taunts a couple of weeks back as well.

Against Hawthorn I believe and let's not forget the VFL.

[Twodogs]

Disclaimer :I am completely and 100% against racism


The Majak love by the commentators (and the Nic nat love too in previous games) was a bit Ott for mine

watching the match.

Screaming his name when he is within three metres of the ball was a bit silly. And personally wouldn't he rather be known as a footballer rather that the first etc etx!

As for the racists, ban them for life. Going to the footy isn't a right, it's a privilege


It's a good point. I Listened to one particular radio show yesterday and it was in equal parts nauseating and comical. The comparisons between NicNat and Majak based mainly on their skin colour were bordering on racist. Racism with good intentions is still racism.

[SonofScray]

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/curse-of-australias-silent-pervasive-racism-20130404-2h9i1.html

This article isn't related to the Daw incident but it did articulate some of my thoughts about the issue of racism. We rightfully should be uncomfortable with racial, verbal abuse and demand better of people but as this Daw incident picks up speed and everyone engages in moral panic over the tirades of a few backwards thinking, emotive imbeciles, take a moment to consider whether or not you are an active agent in the type of racism that to me, is more damaging and often goes unchecked.

Sheedy's comments re: GWS v WSW and the subsequent attempts to write it off as good humour etc are a reasonable example I would've thought.

[LostDoggy]

It's a good point. I Listened to one particular radio show yesterday and it was in equal parts nauseating and comical. The comparisons between NicNat and Majak based mainly on their skin colour were bordering on racist. Racism with good intentions is still racism.

Borderline vomiting. Gerard Healy went with this comparison with Buddy, Majak and Nic Nat.

It's Berts' 'I like the boy' all over again.

[LostDoggy]

I would be careful of saying something like that if you didn't know for sure. I know the cheer squad can be heavy duty but that is pretty serious.

You're right. I apologise if anybody thought I was claiming it was the cheer squad, I have no idea who it was and only made the comment I did due to a past incident involving the cheer squad racially abusing an indigenous Dogs player. (which was the catalyst to me handing in my cheer squad membership — won't stand for that bullshit).

Disgusted by both incidents. Racism is one of the world's biggest evils.

[Sedat]

Sheedy's comments re: GWS v WSW and the subsequent attempts to write it off as good humour etc are a reasonable example I would've thought.
Apologies for getting off-topic - let's see Sheedy worm his way out of this one:
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/craig-foster/blog/1151394/Sheedy,-you%27re-a-disgrace

It appears that he has prior form on this issue, so what he said in yesterday's presser can't be written off as some left-field 'of the cuff' comment where Sheeds is being Sheeds.

Somewhere deep in the bowels of AFL House, Vlad has his head buried in his hands contemplating the mind-boggling stupidity of Sheedy.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I fear for Majak Daw as a target of racism. Humanity or should I say Mankind as represented by opposition football supporters contains some who are not quite in control of their prejudices. Having taught "To Kill a Mocking Bird" I think that, especially towards African males there can be an inherent fear of their physicality and sexuality. This was behind many of the lynchings. A black man could not look a white woman in the eye for fear of violent retribution from white men.
I am not saying Majak Daw is in danger of lynching but I am saying that opposition supporters with white European heritage can be stirred by the same fear of his "foreign" prowess and it is a wellspring of primal hate and fear. The AFL, including all clubs and their supporters need to address the issue as it relates to Majak Daw, I believe, because of this fear of big African men. I understand that many people are not aware of this specific issue and may dismiss it out of hand out of their own ignorance. Be aware, it is primal and it exists.

[chef]

Apologies for getting off-topic - let's see Sheedy worm his way out of this one:
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/craig-foster/blog/1151394/Sheedy,-you%27re-a-disgrace

It appears that he has prior form on this issue, so what he said in yesterday's presser can't be written off as some left-field 'of the cuff' comment where Sheeds is being Sheeds.

Somewhere deep in the bowels of AFL House, Vlad has his head buried in his hands contemplating the mind-boggling stupidity of Sheedy.

Yep, that was some weird comments from Sheedy and hopefully they go after him.

[Remi Moses]

Vividly remember the shocking taunting of Luther Blissett and John Barnes when they burst on the scene in England. Madjak's a trailblazer ( whether he likes it or not) for the next African kid to come through.
Lets hope these peanuts don't discourage more African kids to play football.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Really sad about this. And very disappointed if they were dogs supporters too.

[jeemak]

Sheedy's ignant. Deep down, we've known it all along.

I'm a bit like G-Mo77 in that I think it's great the imbeciles were ejected on Saturday and it's openly being reported.

I have confidence the ramblings of a couple of apes being reported in the media won't even worry a guy in Daw's position.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Vividly remember the shocking taunting of Luther Blissett and John Barnes when they burst on the scene in England. Madjak's a trailblazer ( whether he likes it or not) for the next African kid to come through.
Lets hope these peanuts don't discourage more African kids to play football.

Yes Remi he's the trailblazer, the first big African in AFL. I'd imagine the taunting of Blissett and Barnes could have been ugly.
What was happening when the ump was giving Daw the line to his mark and the goals near the boundary line on Saturday? It looked like a teammate felt he needed to direct Majak to move around as if he hasn't picked up on things yet.

[Raw Toast]

It's a good point. I Listened to one particular radio show yesterday and it was in equal parts nauseating and comical. The comparisons between NicNat and Majak based mainly on their skin colour were bordering on racist. Racism with good intentions is still racism.

Indeed. Celebrations of 'race' can reveal pretty racist assumptions. Daw and Naitanui are both exciting, but to conflate the two based on skin-colour and 'exoticism' is just appalling and then leads to more negative (racist) assumptions.


http://www.theage.com.au/comment/curse-of-australias-silent-pervasive-racism-20130404-2h9i1.html

This article isn't related to the Daw incident but it did articulate some of my thoughts about the issue of racism. We rightfully should be uncomfortable with racial, verbal abuse and demand better of people but as this Daw incident picks up speed and everyone engages in moral panic over the tirades of a few backwards thinking, emotive imbeciles, take a moment to consider whether or not you are an active agent in the type of racism that to me, is more damaging and often goes unchecked.

Sheedy's comments re: GWS v WSW and the subsequent attempts to write it off as good humour etc are a reasonable example I would've thought.

Agree with this as well. I tried to make a similar point a few weeks ago in a piece marking the 20th anniversary of the Nicky Winmar image (I've curated an exhibit on this at the National Sports Museum, and one day will have a book out about it as well): http://www.theage.com.au/comment/afl-the-ugly-game-of-enlightened-racism-20130416-2hy9b.html

[Greystache]

The AFL say the 2 people aren't Bulldog supporters


The AFL has confirmed the two people evicted from the Western Bulldogs versus North Melbourne match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening for a reported racial incident were not Western Bulldogs members or fans.

[bornadog]

Indeed. Celebrations of 'race' can reveal pretty racist assumptions. Daw and Naitanui are both exciting, but to conflate the two based on skin-colour and 'exoticism' is just appalling and then leads to more negative (racist) assumptions.



Agree with this as well. I tried to make a similar point a few weeks ago in a piece marking the 20th anniversary of the Nicky Winmar image (I've curated an exhibit on this at the National Sports Museum, and one day will have a book out about it as well): http://www.theage.com.au/comment/afl-the-ugly-game-of-enlightened-racism-20130416-2hy9b.html

Good article RT

[AndrewP6]

The AFL say the 2 people aren't Bulldog supporters

That's one good thing from our perspective.

[jeemak]

I've always been a touch uncomfortable with the endless replays of Daw and Naitanui almost touching the football. The seemingly endless hyper-enjoyment (bordering on perverted) of indigenous footballers by certain commentators has made me more uncomfortable still.

The AFL has a really big challenge in front of it in managing the tension between celebrating diversity and cashing in on it from a commercial perspective.

I'm pretty cynical towards them actually finding the right balance.

[LostDoggy]

I've always been a touch uncomfortable with the endless replays of Daw and Naitanui almost touching the football. The seemingly endless hyper-enjoyment (bordering on perverted) of indigenous footballers by certain commentators has made me more uncomfortable still.

The AFL has a really big challenge in front of it in managing the tension between celebrating diversity and cashing in on it from a commercial perspective.

I'm pretty cynical towards them actually finding the right balance.

I agree. I read an article last night in which Naitanui claimed his teammates call him Majak, and comment on how they look alike. You could try and write it down to their impressive physique and athleticism, but they're not being compared to athletic white guys are they? They are being celebrated because they're “blacks made good”. It reeks. I like watching Majak play because he's so raw, and the same goes for Naitanui. Watching somebody become a footballer before your eyes is exciting. But instead of focusing on their football, they're being forced to become poster boys for their entire race. It's very evident in the way Liam Jurrah has “fallen from grace” in the eyes of the media.

[The Pie Man]

Re: over-celebrating the feats of Natanui & Daw....yes there's a balance to strike that can get lost, but I understand the focus when these guys are the first of young men of their respective backgrounds to make it at senior level.

Watching Daw play last weekend took me back to watching some junior footy in Reservoir a few years ago - I was watching an U14 game at Crispe Park and one kid of African descent was dominant* - he was easy BOG. If kids like that can look at Daw and think 'that's what I want to do' then I think that's ok.

*This kid could seriously play - was taller than most out there, but was smooth with the ball and lightning quick. Looked at ease bouncing on the wing and kicked beatifully. Couldn't be caught.

[LostDoggy]

My mail was that it was in aisle 47 and they were not bulldog fans but guys having a bit of fun in their eyes by chanting lion king songs when Daw did something good

[LostDog]

I was at the Richmond Freo game (Mrs is a Tigers supporter)
There was a hell of a lot of racist crap being yelled in my area, security did nothing
Yet they threw out a Richmond supporter for taking on this crap.

[SlimPickens]

My mail was that it was in aisle 47 and they were not bulldog fans but guys having a bit of fun in their eyes by chanting lion king songs when Daw did something good

Good mail, exactly what happened.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: over-celebrating the feats of Natanui & Daw....yes there's a balance to strike that can get lost, but I understand the focus when these guys are the first of young men of their respective backgrounds to make it at senior level.

Watching Daw play last weekend took me back to watching some junior footy in Reservoir a few years ago - I was watching an U14 game at Crispe Park and one kid of African descent was dominant* - he was easy BOG. If kids like that can look at Daw and think 'that's what I want to do' then I think that's ok.

*This kid could seriously play - was taller than most out there, but was smooth with the ball and lightning quick. Looked at ease bouncing on the wing and kicked beatifully. Couldn't be caught.

The fact is that it is exciting to see the signs of different migrant groups entering the ranks of the AFL for many reasons: the integration into the community; the potential of what they add to AFL; the affirmation that we have a great game that is growing etc. Moreover Africans, as relevant here, have fantastic physical skills that our game highlights, large and athletic. Incidental but relevant nonetheless, is that fantastically dark skin tones are stark and a bit exciting against the teams colours especially in motion. This is nothing to be ashamed of, its neither racist, patronising or pseudo sexual, its a simple fact of human nature to like the exotic.

[LostDoggy]

. Incidental but relevant nonetheless, is that fantastically dark skin tones are stark and a bit exciting against the teams colours especially in motion. This is nothing to be ashamed of, its neither racist, patronising or pseudo sexual, its a simple fact of human nature to like the exotic.

I get what you are saying, and wondered on the weekend if it was someone's sick joke to put Young on Daw? Possibly the whitest guy in the AFL playing on the darkest guy in the AFL.

As for the Majak love, I think it's far. He can jump through the roof and did kick six goals in his 3rd game? Imagine if Jake Stringer kicks 6 this weekend? "WOOF.NET" would become a porn site.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I get what you are saying, and wondered on the weekend if it was someone's sick joke to put Young on Daw? Possibly the whitest guy in the AFL playing on the darkest guy in the AFL.

As for the Majak love, I think it's far. He can jump through the roof and did kick six goals in his 3rd game? Imagine if Jake Stringer kicks 6 this weekend? "WOOF.NET" would become a porn site.
Vive la difference:)
I laughed when an irate Demon's supporter yelled at Beasley after he kicked his first for the day:
"Ya white pasty bastard".

[Twodogs]

Vive la difference:)
I laughed when an irate Demon's supporter yelled at Beasley after he kicked his first for the day:
"Ya white pasty bastard".


Barkly st end. I remember it well.

I also remember Keith Greig running into Simon Beasley's elbow at VFL park in the mid '80s.
On World Of Sport the next day Crackers Keenan referred to Beaser as the "pink and shell like" Simon Beasley.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Barkly st end. I remember it well.

I also remember Keith Greig running into Simon Beasley's elbow at VFL park in the mid '80s.
On World Of Sport the next day Crackers Keenan referred to Beaser as the "pink and shell like" Simon Beasley.

Pure poetry:)