Poise and Prejudice

Adam Goodes' poise in the face of the recent racist insults against him is commendable to say the least. First, from a 13 year old girl and then by Collingwood President and Grown-Up Who Should Know Better, Eddie McGuire. Both apologised to Goode saying 1. The 13 year old didn't know what she was saying (umm, she must've heard it somewhere to use it in context) and 2. Eddie had a slip of the tongue for which now he is truly regretful. Graciously, Goodes accepted the girl's apology and urged the public not to harass her on social media - a most admirable and mature response which reinforces his good standing as a positive role model.

For Eddie to have had this slip of the tongue, these words must be part of his internal dialogue. Sure, as a public figure he is taught to be very careful with what he says, but the fact that these racist references have been bantered around in our society in the first place has meant that he has to think before he speaks.

In previous generations, where racism was just part of life, this sort of language was in everyday conversation. However, even though laws and society have changed somewhat, this language can still be recalled by our brains and, every now and then, slips out. I liken it to a drunken "Well, I've always thought you were a tosser!" to a colleague at a boozy work function. You wouldn't normally say it, but because it's part of your internal dialogue, it slips out when you're off guard. I.e. too pissed to bite your tongue.

So, how do we break the cycle? Each one of us has the responsibility to not use this racist language out loud ever! Once heard by younger people, it can become part of their internal dialogue too. Of course, it would take every single person in the world to follow this in order for racial taunts to be eradiated completely, by oh what a wonderful world that would be!

We have come a long way since the segregation of the 1950s but these public displays of verbal racism clearly show that we have a long way to go yet!

Does Lance Need to Apologise?

The backlash against Lance Armstrong's lack of remorse following his recent interview with Oprah, has me asking... Does Lance actually need to apologise? The world wants it, but should we require it?

Caught up in the web of deception, it's clear he believed his own propaganda when denying his involvement in doping in the 2005 video deposition. Did the pressure of holding in these lies get too much for him? I think not. It had to have been the overwhelming evidence coming in from former teammates such as Tyler Hamilton, George Hincapie and Frankie Andreu, that led Lance to finally admit guilt. There was no place to hide anymore.

I think he honestly regrets the bullying and threats that he subjected his peers to, in order to keep his secret safe. We know that he has tried to make ammends with some of these people. Regretting the personal hurt he has caused individuals is one thing, expressing his regret for doping and fooling the world is quite another. Perhaps he doesn't actually feel sorry? I suppose that could be a valid stance for one so selfish and egotistic.  After all, apologising needs to come from the person's heart. We can't force it from someone. Although now in disgrace, his career as a professional cyclist has given him and his family many advantages in life that they have been able to enjoy. I can see how he may not regret this. I am interested to see if an apology ever does come from Lance. Forgiveness is another topic all together.