I know nothing about football however I believe this is more to do with Adam Goodes speaking out and having the courage to be a vocal advocate for Aboriginal people and to front a campaign that tells us “Racism, it stops with me”. The worst affront of all of course was him becoming Australian of the Year.

This new issue tells me we sadly still have a very long way to go. It seems too many non-Indigenous Australians accept and encourage Aboriginal people as long as they stay quiet in the background and do not speak out against racism and prejudice, or be too loud and proud in any victory. 

One comment I have heard during this sorry saga is “AG should stop playing a victim”. How about people with this belief try stepping into the skin of an Aboriginal Australian or for that matter any other Australian minority who does not look like the white majority and walk out your front door.

Spend a week in someone else’s shoes to see what it feels like often being looked down on, verbally harassed or negatively characterised before you even open your mouth. We will never discover our true strength as a nation until we embrace all Australians, their gifts and faults and work together to make the best future we can for our children and grandchildren. 

D. Day,

Bomaderry.