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Further implications
There is something sadly circular about a number of the arguments put forward in relation to whether AFL crowds booing Adam Goodes are racist.
One of the claims meant to exonerate supporters of this charge is that Adam Goodes behaved inappropriately when he drew attention to the behaviour a 13-year-old barracker who had called him an 'ape'. Whatever the intentions or knowledge of the young supporter, the comment was objectively offensive and, from the perspective of a minority group which has historically been denied full human status, unquestionably racist. The age of the abuser may have evoked sympathy for her and the criticism she received; however, it in no way diminishes the offensiveness and inappropriateness of the abuse.
There is a strange paradox in condemning an Indigenous player for highlighting racism. It would appear that for at least some in the crowd, the booing of Adam Goodes is a self-protective gesture. They do not like accusations of racism and direct their hostility toward those who make them. This has been acknowledged by supporters of the mass booing, such as talkback host and commentator, Alan Jones.
If you are confident that you do not harbour racist attitudes, why is it necessary to take offense on behalf of those who do? Is this a kind of mass patriotism which sees any negative comment about any white Australian as a negative comment about all? It is perplexing that those who have continued to boo for a period of eighteen months cannot see that this level of hostility is excessive. Even if they do not acknowledge a racist dimension, the power imbalance between a crowd and a signal individual should give the harassers pause. Once Adam Goodes and a wide range of social commentators have stated that they find the booing racist, it is surprising and disappointing that large numbers of supporters would continue with this behaviour.
What makes this incident even more regrettable is that the AFL has taken significant steps to discourage racist conduct within the League. Such behaviour from players and officials is now officially punishable by significant fines. It is harder to moderate the behaviour of all supporters, particularly when some bizarrely act in a racist manner while taking offense at what they construe as an unfair accusation of racism.
With Goodes's retirement at the end of the 2015 season it may be tempting for some to believe that the issue has now disappeared. What is more likely is that it has simply gone into hibernation, awaiting the arrival of another Indigenous sportsperson brave enough to voice the truth about his or her people's relative disadvantage and the prejudice they confront. What makes the current episode particularly regrettable is that following the treatment that Goodes has received it is going to be even harder for any Indigenous sportsperson to find the courage to speak out against racism.