Wikipedia's definition for racism has been dominant, "where the belief that members of one culture or one religious group are superior/inferior to another culture/religion."
My question is does Monkey chants automatically qualify as racism??? Am for not one moment trying to justify the treatment meted out to Andrew(yeah Symonds).... But to paint it the ugly face of racism??? I'm not sure. Here's why---
1. I feel Andrew Symonds has been the most aggro of the Aussie lot..and hence the crowd felt the need to give him back a bit of his own medicine....
2. Boos and Jeers are a part of any game, Indians themselves got jeered at once they were six down for 66.
3. Ask the other Aussies - Particularly Brad Hogg, Brett Lee(another vocal guy), Hodge, Haddin etc. I was at Wankhede yesterday and all these guys were adored even cheered when they made some terrific saves.
So, it's not a question of being racist to the entire team. Even Brett got jeered at when he stared down at Zaheer, who paid him back in his own medicine, but if he had been booed then, wud it also be racism?
That these %u201Cgentlemen of the game%u201D Aussies, Indian and all others like England, SA, Pakistan included often opt for a verbal duel to unnerve their opponents is well known, but some are in the spirit of the game%u2026.. But it%u2019s NOT racism.
I feel we%u2019re using too strong a term to classify a nonetheless heinous act of calling someone a monkey or doing acts to suggest the same. After all that was one guy
RE:Was it racism???
by anil babladi on Oct 18, 2007 02:19 PM Permalink
well said saunak. Truly well said. Symonds saying "Shh to Dhoni" in 20-20 is still clear in my eyes. And his eyes, behavior, and talk everything is rude. Being rude is not competitive. That is racist behavior also. ICC seems to come up with their own definition of racist. Come to think of it, How much of a worst captain is Ricky. Of all the captains in the world, no one will come out and joke in the presentation saying someone else is a cheat. Ponting's words about Murali as a joke is nothing but a crude fact that Oz do not like to lose and cannot digest it. Last match there were many dubious decisions, what do you say about that? India should have 3-3. I am sure they are planning for a great welcome to Indians in Oz but don;t worry mite!! we are prepared to give it back in kind.
RE:Was it racism???
by saunak ghosh on Oct 18, 2007 02:49 PM Permalink
Right...The world beaters need to also know how to digest defeat. Their over aggro attitude may translate into terrific performances, but off it...I've little to say... Abt Murali's call, yeah... 6 wkts was indeed a joke.. Wish we come up with lots of such jokes in the future.
