Latrell Online Racial Abuse - NRL Following Up

[Mon1]

Latrell is a proud first Australian. That is part of who he is . Its ridiculous to think in any way that can or should be ignored. Its not a choice - it is him. Look at his try celebration. It's pretty clear where Latrell identifies To not acknowledge this is naive and somewhat offensive.




That aside, I think there is a wider concern at play. If you watch either of the Adam Goodes documentaries you will see that it’s not just the overt outspoken racism, its also the constant, slightly more subtle, racist niggle that is a concern. I worry about the long term effect on Latrell if this continues without a response. .




At the Newcastle game I sat in front of some boneheads who constantly complained about Latrell. It worried me that their complaints were echoes of Freddy's comments after SOO 1. (Freddy had a right to drop him, but he constantly went on and on about him - much more than others he dropped. Whether Freddy realised it he or not he was tagging Latrell with a false narrative that implied words like lazy and so on.) When Latrell ran the length of the field to score the comments got darker - they said they wished they "had a gun to shoot him" and "what was that crap with the ears" "did he really need to tell us what he had for breakfast" and then other more generic abuse. I wanted to turn around and respond, but I didn't. This took place in the Ladies stand - which is Members and their guests. I was there as a guest and I didn't want to create a scene. I have regretted my decision ever since. I was wrong. We need to confront this actively and totally whenever it occurs. We are proud of Easts. We are proud of Latrell. He stands up for us - we stand up for him. We cannot allow this to develop and grow like it did with Adam Goodes. Anytime we hear it - we respond (obviously only with words) . We owe it to the game - and Latrell.

[NorthChook]

I somewhat agree. Why do some players need to referred to as ‘indigenous’? I thought they were footy players?

Also why do we need to play the annual indigenous game? It’s like we are trying to promote some sort of difference. Again, I see them all as players. I don’t care what their background is.

This trend is more than just with the NRL, most industries and sport in Australia promote indiginous culture in events.

it’s just pointing out indiginous are proud and their culture shouldn’t be forgotten, opposed to how they were pointed out previously for the wrong reasons. Hopefully one day everyone views each other as people instead of race, but there are too many ignorant and racist people that still exist so that’s why there is a need to educate people

too many wrongs were done to them as a culture, so they deserve to be celebrated and highlighted. I don’t think it’s segregating them

nrl all stars was a bit weird though when they had indiginous vs the nrl/rest of the world ‘aka the rest’ but the fixed this by having them play the maori which seemed the obvious answer

[Spirit of 66]

Latrell is a proud first Australian. That is part of who he is . Its ridiculous to think in any way that can or should be ignored. Its not a choice - it is him. Look at his try celebration. It's pretty clear where Latrell identifies To not acknowledge this is naive and somewhat offensive.




That aside, I think there is a wider concern at play. If you watch either of the Adam Goodes documentaries you will see that it’s not just the overt outspoken racism, its also the constant, slightly more subtle, racist niggle that is a concern. I worry about the long term effect on Latrell if this continues without a response. .




At the Newcastle game I sat in front of some boneheads who constantly complained about Latrell. It worried me that their complaints were echoes of Freddy's comments after SOO 1. (Freddy had a right to drop him, but he constantly went on and on about him - much more than others he dropped. Whether Freddy realised it he or not he was tagging Latrell with a false narrative that implied words like lazy and so on.) When Latrell ran the length of the field to score the comments got darker - they said they wished they "had a gun to shoot him" and "what was that crap with the ears" "did he really need to tell us what he had for breakfast" and then other more generic abuse. I wanted to turn around and respond, but I didn't. This took place in the Ladies stand - which is Members and their guests. I was there as a guest and I didn't want to create a scene. I have regretted my decision ever since. I was wrong. We need to confront this actively and totally whenever it occurs. We are proud of Easts. We are proud of Latrell. He stands up for us - we stand up for him. We cannot allow this to develop and grow like it did with Adam Goodes. Anytime we hear it - we respond (obviously only with words) . We owe it to the game - and Latrell.

Well said.

[Kingbilly]

Another lefty, here.

Don't tell me you have more moderate in your old age ....
good to see you are still lurking

[Kingbilly]

The first of these instances I saw was a halfwit giving it to Paul Momorovski which I thought was disgusting. then this Latrell crap and although I can't say I am a Maguire fan that was crossing the line as well.

I am all for giving people a bagging etc, but its got to be within reason and not personal. The best one are humourous where everyone can get a laugh.

A lot of players love getting crap off other fans on game day, but again as long as it isn't about getting killed or racial etc.

[Crab]

Latrell is a proud first Australian. That is part of who he is . Its ridiculous to think in any way that can or should be ignored. Its not a choice - it is him. Look at his try celebration. It's pretty clear where Latrell identifies To not acknowledge this is naive and somewhat offensive.




That aside, I think there is a wider concern at play. If you watch either of the Adam Goodes documentaries you will see that it’s not just the overt outspoken racism, its also the constant, slightly more subtle, racist niggle that is a concern. I worry about the long term effect on Latrell if this continues without a response. .




At the Newcastle game I sat in front of some boneheads who constantly complained about Latrell. It worried me that their complaints were echoes of Freddy's comments after SOO 1. (Freddy had a right to drop him, but he constantly went on and on about him - much more than others he dropped. Whether Freddy realised it he or not he was tagging Latrell with a false narrative that implied words like lazy and so on.) When Latrell ran the length of the field to score the comments got darker - they said they wished they "had a gun to shoot him" and "what was that crap with the ears" "did he really need to tell us what he had for breakfast" and then other more generic abuse. I wanted to turn around and respond, but I didn't. This took place in the Ladies stand - which is Members and their guests. I was there as a guest and I didn't want to create a scene. I have regretted my decision ever since. I was wrong. We need to confront this actively and totally whenever it occurs. We are proud of Easts. We are proud of Latrell. He stands up for us - we stand up for him. We cannot allow this to develop and grow like it did with Adam Goodes. Anytime we hear it - we respond (obviously only with words) . We owe it to the game - and Latrell.

I hear what you are saying and I agree, but , I also don't want Latrell dragged into being some sort figurehead for anti racism social reform battle like Adam Goodes was . He deserves better. It is the lowest form of Australian behaviour IMO that of taking down the tall poppy , pure jealousy . I reckon take a leaf out of David Warner's response to the barmy army by emptying his pockets when they asked where is the sandpaper style of response , or ignoring it or using it as motivation to play even better . Easier said than done though .

[The Axe]

The abuse is fukking weird too. For example a large group have decided she's actually Chinese, so they go on massive rants about her being Chinese. It's all like 'you are Chinese anyway, why do you pretend to care about [insert indigenous issue]'. This is often complete randoms who have never set foot in Australia too. FB does fark all to shut it down...

It's amazing how messed up some people are.

I know how she feels. There’s this lunatic on here who thinks I’m a Queensland politician. Hahaha

[player 1]

Latrell is a proud first Australian. That is part of who he is . Its ridiculous to think in any way that can or should be ignored. Its not a choice - it is him. Look at his try celebration. It's pretty clear where Latrell identifies To not acknowledge this is naive and somewhat offensive.




That aside, I think there is a wider concern at play. If you watch either of the Adam Goodes documentaries you will see that it’s not just the overt outspoken racism, its also the constant, slightly more subtle, racist niggle that is a concern. I worry about the long term effect on Latrell if this continues without a response. .




At the Newcastle game I sat in front of some boneheads who constantly complained about Latrell. It worried me that their complaints were echoes of Freddy's comments after SOO 1. (Freddy had a right to drop him, but he constantly went on and on about him - much more than others he dropped. Whether Freddy realised it he or not he was tagging Latrell with a false narrative that implied words like lazy and so on.) When Latrell ran the length of the field to score the comments got darker - they said they wished they "had a gun to shoot him" and "what was that crap with the ears" "did he really need to tell us what he had for breakfast" and then other more generic abuse. I wanted to turn around and respond, but I didn't. This took place in the Ladies stand - which is Members and their guests. I was there as a guest and I didn't want to create a scene. I have regretted my decision ever since. I was wrong. We need to confront this actively and totally whenever it occurs. We are proud of Easts. We are proud of Latrell. He stands up for us - we stand up for him. We cannot allow this to develop and grow like it did with Adam Goodes. Anytime we hear it - we respond (obviously only with words) . We owe it to the game - and Latrell.

Yep great post.

That's my thoughts on the Fittler/Gould SOO saga. It was way, way over the top, prolonged and unnecessary from the two of them. I already couldn't stand Gould, he's just an obnoxious narcissist with multiple other issues. But I still haven't forgiven Fittler either for his shameful ranting. he should have just dropped him if that's what he wanted.

BTW Fittler's side won in spite of Latrell not being there, not because of it. Very weak Qld side.

[Bondicigar]

I dont feel comfortable at raiders games when they do the viking clap because I'm part Anglo saxon ...

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I hear what you are saying and I agree, but , I also don't want Latrell dragged into being some sort figurehead for anti racism social reform battle like Adam Goodes was . He deserves better. It is the lowest form of Australian behaviour IMO that of taking down the tall poppy , pure jealousy . I reckon take a leaf out of David Warner's response to the barmy army by emptying his pockets when they asked where is the sandpaper style of response , or ignoring it or using it as motivation to play even better . Easier said than done though .

I think Lattrell has too much class to carry on like Goodes has. Yes he needs to be his own man, and is already a quality role model to aspiring young kids. He can and will do great things on and off the field. Like you I don't want him to be some Trojan horse for the PC brigade.

[Mon1]

I think Lattrell has too much class to carry on like Goodes has. Yes he needs to be his own man, and is already a quality role model to aspiring young kids. He can and will do great things on and off the field. Like you I don't want him to be some Trojan horse for the PC brigade.

I don't know if you've watched "The Final Quarter" - its on tenplay - but I don't think that criticism of Goodes holds up. Goodes wasn't at fault for how he was treated - which I note the AFL has now accepted by acknowledging responsibility for failing to act and apologising. The other point I would make is that the attacks on Goodes became (more) prevalent toward the end of his career where as Latrell is in relatively early stages of his. Neither player should have to put up with it, but its their decision how they respond. We can only decide how we respond as Easts supporters. Like I said - we support Latrell.

[The Skeez]

Latrell is a proud first Australian. That is part of who he is . Its ridiculous to think in any way that can or should be ignored. Its not a choice - it is him. Look at his try celebration. It's pretty clear where Latrell identifies To not acknowledge this is naive and somewhat offensive.




That aside, I think there is a wider concern at play. If you watch either of the Adam Goodes documentaries you will see that it’s not just the overt outspoken racism, its also the constant, slightly more subtle, racist niggle that is a concern. I worry about the long term effect on Latrell if this continues without a response. .




At the Newcastle game I sat in front of some boneheads who constantly complained about Latrell. It worried me that their complaints were echoes of Freddy's comments after SOO 1. (Freddy had a right to drop him, but he constantly went on and on about him - much more than others he dropped. Whether Freddy realised it he or not he was tagging Latrell with a false narrative that implied words like lazy and so on.) When Latrell ran the length of the field to score the comments got darker - they said they wished they "had a gun to shoot him" and "what was that crap with the ears" "did he really need to tell us what he had for breakfast" and then other more generic abuse. I wanted to turn around and respond, but I didn't. This took place in the Ladies stand - which is Members and their guests. I was there as a guest and I didn't want to create a scene. I have regretted my decision ever since. I was wrong. We need to confront this actively and totally whenever it occurs. We are proud of Easts. We are proud of Latrell. He stands up for us - we stand up for him. We cannot allow this to develop and grow like it did with Adam Goodes. Anytime we hear it - we respond (obviously only with words) . We owe it to the game - and Latrell.

Does this story sound familiar? Sadly, you aren’t the only one. Hindsight can be terrible to deal with

[ROC181]

I don't know if you've watched "The Final Quarter" - its on tenplay - but I don't think that criticism of Goodes holds up. Goodes wasn't at fault for how he was treated - which I note the AFL has now accepted by acknowledging responsibility for failing to act and apologising. The other point I would make is that the attacks on Goodes became (more) prevalent toward the end of his career where as Latrell is in relatively early stages of his. Neither player should have to put up with it, but its their decision how they respond. We can only decide how we respond as Easts supporters. Like I said - we support Latrell.

Rubbish!!! He turned booing, something that all sportsmen experience into a racist issue. I've heard people boo Federer...Is that racist too? Whilst I don't disagree that there is a racist element in ALL societies, his whinge was just a way to get his name in the papers at a time when his career was in decline...many other Indigenous players may have supported him, like Michael O'Loughlin at the time, he didn't go on about it because it may have obvious to him that Goodes whinge didn't have legs.

[The Skeez]

Also, online forums like this where everyone is under an assumed name is easy to take the moral high ground and speak up. Yet in real life when these people should be called out for their damaging comments, they say nothing when the crowd are listening is just as sad.

[The Skeez]

Rubbish!!! He turned booing, something that all sportsmen experience into a racist issue. I've heard people boo Federer...Is that racist too? Whilst I don't disagree that there is a racist element in ALL societies, his whinge was just a way to get his name in the papers at a time when his career was in decline...many other Indigenous players may have supported him, like Michael O'Loughlin at the time, he didn't go on about it because it may have obvious to him that Goodes whinge didn't have legs.

Boo to you then rocky