Who are the real racists?

That's unreasonable!

Another great Aboriginal footballer, the late Arthur Beetson, had a very pragmatic view. In a 1997 interview he said:

I always had the attitude that if a player resorted to calling me a black so-and-so, I obviously had his measure. I was more worried about getting on with the game than getting involved in a sledging argument. Aboriginals are not on their own in this area. People are becoming too sensitive and it is something that is evident throughout society. There are too many rules. I took the attitude that I was proud of my heritage and nothing anyone could do or say could dent that pride. It was like water off a duck's back.

Being a loyal Rabbitoh, I often booed Arthur, but I don't think it was about race. My opinion of him changed whenever he played for Australia.

Many postings on social media predictably blame it all on Tony Abbott, but I don't think you can reasonably assume that those doing the booing voted Liberal. Some will claim that Menzies buried the White Australia policy, and others claim that it was Whitlam, the truth is that both sides of politics were responsible for its adoption, and both sides reflected, and continue to be guided by, a growing maturity and acceptance of reality in Australia. A maturity reflected in the referendum of 1967, when more than 90% of voters signalled their goodwill to Aboriginal people, and strongly indicated in the community's support for Adam Goodes. It's easy to see what the majority think.

Some say the antagonism arose from Adam's reaction to the racist comments of a 13 year old girl. Waleed Aly did us all a service by revisiting what Adam Goodes actually said as Australian of the Year, and the outcome of the 13yo incident. She rang and apologised, Adam spoke with her and accepted her apology, they were reconciled, and the whole episode is an example of how to handle such a situation. When you look at history it's important to view everything that is relevant, with the objective of understanding the truth, rather than making a point.

Which brings me back to Facebook. A friend 'liked' a posting from Abbottsolutely Hopeless - "Great article" he commented. The article in question was by Chris Graham at newMatilda.com, and is an example of the worst kind of racism. Adopting the lugubrious regretful tone of those claiming moral superiority, it includes the usual black armband arguments for Aboriginal victimhood, and goes on to demonstrate the authors ignorance or deliberate falsification of history, leading to his inability or unwillingness to learn its lessons.

I quote:

How would you feel, for example, if, every year on November 11, the Turkish community in Australia held a 'We Kicked Their Arse Day', replete with a national holiday and people draping themselves in the Turkish flag.

November 11 is an unfortunate day in Turkish history, it's the anniversary of the end of WWI and the defeat of Germany and its allies. Certainly not a day to claim to have kicked arse.

Perhaps Chris meant April 25 - ANZAC Day. In that campaign Australia lost some 10,000 young soldiers - a whole lost generation of indigenous and non-indigenous young Australians. Turkish casualties were about 60,000 - certainly not a day the Turkish community would choose to celebrate, let alone claim as a great victory.

In 1934, following years of great tragedy and loss for his country, Turkey's great leader, Atatürk, wrote of those who lost their lives in the tragedy of Gallipoli:

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives ... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours ... You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

That's the inscription on the Kemal Atatürk Memorial in Anzac Parade, Canberra, and every year Australians and Turkish people celebrate in this spirit.

Perhaps Australia would be better off with more people prepared to adopt the unreasonable attitude of Atatürk, and fewer racists prepared to distort history and inflame racial hatred.