Australian newspapers are pushing for a boycott of future cricket tours to India.
Fortunately, Australia’s cricket supremo seems to have shot it down emphatically.
However a ban is a simplistic solution. It is not going to eradicate racism. Banning one country or the other is just handing over the game to these racists. They will become emboldened as they have the power to disrupt. Obviously, because of these goons cricket should not suffer.
There is one other aspect we will have to consider. How would the countries take it?
Will they be mature enough to put their house in order? Or, will it mean a tit for tat response?
10 comments:
I am still not convinced as to why calling someone a monkey amounts to being racist.
Ottayan,
Since when did anyone take the Australian press so seriously?
"400/5, We cant lose" says just about everything that needs to be said about the Australian media.
Cheers
Akhil,
Even I was confused about how monkey chants constitute racial abuse.
Infact, I had asked the same question on Homers blog.
I understand, black footballers in the European footabll league are abused with the same monkey chants.
Thus indicating their land of their origin, Africa.
Europreans are under the impression that monkeys can be found only in Africa.
Little did they know that there are monkeys in Asia, three of whom were trapped at Wankhede.
Homer,
I had always thought this kind of reporting was done only in England.
So I was shocked to read all these slanted articles in the Australian Press.
These few posts are a reflection of that.
BTW, I wonder what kind of abuse our cricketers are going to subjected to.
"I understand, black footballers in the European footabll league are abused with the same monkey chants.
Thus indicating their land of their origin, Africa."
Ohk. Now I get it. But still, the same yardstick cannot be applied to Indians. After all, how many Indians have the time to follow racist remarks made in European Football?
Please don't take the Australian press seriously - we certainly don't :).
Sadly, there are always a few morons (in all countries) who spoil it for the rest. The vast majority of Australians are very keen to welcome the Indian players here this summer and will greatly enjoy their performances on the field.
A lot of it comes down to attitude. I predicted last year that Monty would be loved by the Australian crowds (and apart from one isolated incident very early on) this happened. He showed his love of cricket, and the crowds cheered him whenever he fielded the ball.
Akhil,
Great! You have identified the crux of the issue.
It is the press who have magnified this incident (correctly).
The yellow journals have just taken over and sensationalised this issue.
By now even a guy in the heartland has an idea of how best to treat our guests.
The blame lies with irresponsible journalist.
PS: The guys who were arrested, seem like you and me, educated and possibly savvy enough to read and maintain blogs.
May be they could come forward and clarify their position then. Expecting too much, I know.
This is only a guess, but maybe Symonds bears resemblance to Hanuman, the Indian monkey god. So maybe that was just a naughty teasing.
This issue has been blown out of proportions by the media. They are in want of good issues to write about.
Newspapers try to run cricket but I'm not sure they do anywahere as of now.
The loss will be mostly Australian if they do boycott India.
By the way, who are these extremist elements sprouting up everywhere? And why pick on cricket for their warped and tiny agendas?
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