If you are one of those who thinks racism has gone away in Australia, then just listen: It never did. If you look a certain way in Australia, you end up copping it on a daily basis.
“Get off the f---ing grass mate.” I heard the security guard but didn’t respond. Surely, he wasn’t talking to me. After all, I had my accreditation card on display and was doing what I generally do in the lead-up to a Test match—watching the nets. To boot, there were also three white colleagues from the Australian media standing next to me at the Gabba that afternoon.
In the past I’d have shied away from talking about it. In all likelihood, I’d have responded with a self-deprecatory joke because it felt safer to do so than to have to confront them. It was also easier being the person coolly brushing off the casual racism and unintentionally justifying it. For, these aren’t fun conversations to have for us. My post on social media last week was an attempt to do just that.
The dismissive nature of some of the replies to my tweet further exemplified the crux of the issue. The inconsiderate denial that discrimination of this nature exists in Australian society. And also, why it’s so hard to bring it up without being immediately accused of stirring the pot.talking about having to “get used to” being stopped outside your hotel because you don’t look Australian, while you’re still in your Australian team kit.
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