Translate

Posts By Topic

Saturday 21 January 2012

NRL All Stars Match ... Racially divisive?

I'm not a fan of the NRL All Stars match up, a match I see as having racial undertones and driving another small wedge between races in this great country. Yes it will be a great spectacle, with 34 of the best in the game going at it, and yes the gate and the TV ratings will be real money spinners, but at what cost?
We all know how emotionally charged the "Tribal" clashes get during the normal NRL season when only clubs are involved. We see how team affiliations lead to heated rivalries during these clashes, wherever the games are viewed. (You know what I'm talking about you Bulldogs fans). To see a prime example of the enduring hatred generated by sporting rivalries, look no further than State Of Origin.
Now extend that to a National basis with White against Black and imagine the racial slurs and comments, not only at the ground, but right around the country in lounge rooms, pubs and clubs switched into this racial "war".
In this era of reconciliation and trying to close the divide between Indigenous Australians and those of  European extraction, do we need a major sporting event setting black against white? I think not.
People with an opposing view would say that it is great for young Aboriginal and Islander kids to aspire to their hero's status, but can't they do this by watching them during the normal season of club and rep games?
What is the purpose of this game? Other than that misguided point mentioned above, I can see no positives in this clash at all, except perhaps if you count the millions of dollars that the NRL will rake in from people going to the game or tuning in to watch their race smash the other.
Australian soccer had their race problems years ago and now continue to strive to keep racial affiliations out of their clubs.
If we are really trying to promote our Indigenous Australian's achievements and, at the same time draw the races closer together, wouldn't it be better if we had a match that would unite all Australians behind a single side and have the Indigenous All Stars play the Maori All Stars?
Although I love a great game of Rugby League, I won't be tuning in; my protest.

No comments:

Popular Posts