Dave McNamara wrote:Wow! A General Forum style thread (two of 'em actually) right here in the main forum.
Saintsationalists. you really should consider popping over to the good 'ol GF. See the sorta' stuff that you've been missing... well at least when the GF was up and running in its prime.
Back to Goodes. Time for a summary after all these pages I reckon. Yep, a bit long maybe, but it's hard for people to form accurate opinions without have a grasp of what they are forming opinions on...
Background?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Goodes
Goodes was born in South Australia, to Lisa May and Graham Goodes, with siblings Jake and Brett. Goodes' father is of English, Irish and Scottish ancestry; his mother is an Indigenous Australian (Adnyamathanha and Narungga).
Goodes' parents were separated when he was four; his father moved to Queensland while Goodes moved between Wallarooand Adelaide (in South Australia) and Merbein (in Victoria) with his mother.
What did he do to be named as Australian of the Year?
Adam is proud of his Indigenous heritage, and is actively involved with several Indigenous sport and community programs. He has spent time working with troubled youth, including those in youth detention centres. Together with his cousin and former teammate Michael O’Loughlin, Adam established the Go Foundation which empowers the next generation of Indigenous role models in all walks of life. Adam co-chairs the foundation, focused on promoting education, employment and healthy lifestyles. Adam is a great role model and advocate for the fight against racism both on and off the field and is admired by a great many people around the nation.
http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/h ... entID=1144
That speech: https://youtu.be/3EV-cLb_Ttg
"Growing up as an Indigenous Australian, I have seen and experienced my fair share of racism. Whilst it has been difficult a lot of the time, it has also taught me a lot and shaped my values and what I believe in today. There are always two ways we can look at a situation - we can choose to get angry or not, we can choose to help others or not, or choose to be offended or not, we can keep our silos or educate ourselves and others about racism and minority populations. It is not just about taking responsibility for your own actions, but speaking to your mates when they take out their anger on their loved ones, minority groups or make racist remarks. We are all equal and the same in so many ways. My hope is that we as a nation can break down the silos between races, break down those stereotypes of minority populations - Indigenous populations and all those other minority groups. I hope we can be proud of our heritage regardless of the colour of our skin and be proud to be Australian."
He says whilst he is extremely proud and honoured to be chosen as Australian of the Year, the real reward will be to see a nation free of racism.
"The ultimate reward is when all Australians see each other is equals and treat each other as equals. To me everything is about people and the choices we make. I believe it's the people and the and Interatcions between us that make this country so special. Thank you so much and have a great Australia Day."
What he wants:
He says he finds it hard to buy into a celebratory notion of Australia Day ''because of the sadness and mourning and the sorrow of our people and a culture that unfortunately has been lost to me through generations''.
Goodes grew up believing Australia was founded on a summer's day in January 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip staked the flag of the British kingdom in the sand of Sydney Cove.
''I've obviously learnt different since then,'' he says.
Nevertheless, he finds cause for optimism. ''We are still here, we've got a lot to celebrate about being here and that we have one of the longest-serving cultures still alive and kicking.''
He does not judge flag-waving, beer-swilling celebrations taking place elsewhere. ''Good luck to them,'' he says. ''That's what I love about Australia: we can do things the way we want to do them, because that's the way our country is - no matter what culture you come from, you can come to Australia and practise your religion, you can practise your beliefs, and you shouldn't be judged for it. That's what I love about Australia, we have this freedom.''
He hopes to use his public profile to raise awareness of the push for constitutional recognition of indigenous people.
''There's nothing in the constitution right now that says Aboriginal people are the first Australians,'' Goodes said, arguing for a successful referendum on the issue in the next couple of years.
''It isn't about us wanting to get our land back and it's not about wanting compensation, it's about wanting recognition we were the first Australians.''
The day after Goodes raised his arm to identify a 13-year-old girl in the MCG crowd who had shouted ''ape'' at him, he stood, shaken and shattered, before a media throng.
''It cut me deep,'' he said.
And then: ''The person that needs the most support now is the little girl. People do need to cut this girl some slack.''
His hopes for the nation are that
''everyone is treated as equals, through race, religion, sexuality and gender''.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/australi ... z3hG5V8Lcg
Other Work?
Goodes used his valedictory speech in Canberra to thank Australians for their support, but said there was still much to do.
"One in five women experience harassment within the workplace – one in five," he said.
"It's still a massive challenge for us all, but the real challenge lies with us men."
"In 2015, our task is to continue to educate and empower men [to] realise the role they play in ending violence against women.
"You will see more momentum in the pursuit of ensuring all women can live safely, free from all forms of violence."
Goodes said the aim of his anti-racism campaign, "Racism. It Stops With Me", was to ensure more Australians recognise racism is unacceptable and provide the tools and resources to take practical action against it.
"We have had a great response to the program this year and our journey and focus remains in 2015. It's all about education and understanding what's acceptable and what isn't," he said.
"I mentioned in my acceptance speech last year that my hope was that this nation can break down the silos between races; break down the stereotypes of minority populations, Indigenous populations, and all the other minority groups.
"I felt that the ultimate reward would be when all Australians see each other as equals and treat each other as equals.
"Whilst we are not quite there yet and still have a way to go, I feel that in 2014, we as a nation, community and individuals, have made progress."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-25/a ... sm/6045170 
