Sports broadcaster Francis Leach, appearing on ABC's Offsiders on Sunday, was quick to jump on Barrie Cassidy for suggesting that perhaps St Kilda's Stephen Milne had been treated harshly for his recent on-field gay taunt. Such stupidity, he said, must be stamped out, immediately.
This uncritical response, now a widespread mantra, is indicative of why this country is losing its way.
We've forgotten, and are now too frightened to recall, that what is of ultimate value, in terms of being Australian, cannot ever be an entitlement. The concept of a fair go is only meaningful if and when it's earned through the give-and-take of social interaction. It can't be enshrined in legislation nor mandated by a political, legal or sporting institution, however well intentioned, however much its constituents want it to be a true.
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Hence our admirable tradition of shit stirring.
Yes, having a crack at someone can come from a dark, malicious place. But it can also be a subtle way to corroborate the ethereal nature of what truly matters in life. Words can't hurt because they cannot properly define who we are. Running off to the authorities only confirms you've failed this crucial test.
Harry O'Brien appears to get this, which is why the Collingwood star was unperturbed by the incident, telling officials he wasn't offended and that "what happens on the field will stay on the field".
But, no, things can't be left there. It has to be rendered dramatic. Self-important jobs and policies must be justified. Brett Clothier, owner of the Orwellian title of AFL integrity officer, launched an investigation after field umpire Dean Margetts lodged a report.
St Kilda, no doubt under pressure from the establishment and other muddled-headed group-thinkers like Leach, fined Milne $3000 and demanded an apology. The inculcation and self-congratulations continued.
"It simply is not acceptable, even in the heat of battle, for AFL players to use homophobic insults on the football field,'' said Adrian Anderson, AFL football operations manager. "The St Kilda Football Club is to be commended for taking this action.''
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The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby weighed in, promising to write to Mr Control Freak himself, Andrew Demetriou, encouraging the AFL to get behind its upcoming "No To Homophobia" campaign.
Here's a novel idea: How about a campaign for the truth?
Our national discourse has been hijacked by judgemental hacks convinced all that is great about Australia - or at least was - can be regenerated by enforcing more laws, better codes of conduct and tougher sanctions. And anyone who disagrees is un-Australian, cold-hearted and chauvinistic.
A try-hard, zero tolerance crusade against perceived prejudice is doomed because its champions fail to grasp the ironic relationship between political means and ends. It's fine to pursue the goal of an egalitarian society, provided one first accepts there can be no formula for success, since any such formula, and the punitive formalities it brings, implies distrustfulness. It's illogical, not to mention immoral, to demand your fellow citizens be more open and accepting when you yourself are assuming the worst of them.
Thankfully, many Australians can smell the confused hypocrisy of the elitist worldview peddled by Leach and others, but are fearful of attempting to express it. Those who do, typically enflame the situation or eventually kowtow to the received orthodoxy. Hence our increasingly polarised and dysfunctional democracy.
Bigoted words may reflect bigotry. Or they may stem from anger, acute frustration at having to tolerate the profound ignorance of the do-gooders within our political elite.
Neither a politician, an AFL fascist or Leach can define the difference (which is part of their unidentified problem). And even if they could, it would still be up to the individuals involved to sort things out. A fair go is a two-way street based on mutual respect.
Those "boofhead commentators" and members of the public critical of Milne's treatment are not necessarily, as Leach cynically suggests, trying to maintain a "playground of prejudice". They are attempting to highlight the lie we've fallen victim to.
It didn't matter to O'Brien if Milne was being a proper knob or just provocative. He rose above it, which you'd think would be a happy occasion. He proved himself either way, and in doing so put the onus back onto Milne. At least for a moment.
Instead of celebrating this achievement, the AFL and meddlers like Leach can't help but make things worse. Not only do they actually discourage Milne from taking responsibility for his actions, they send a damaging message to the people of Australia, young and old: bureaucracy and officialdom can and will resolve our differences and make us the great country we all want it to be.