No matter how we spin this, the fact of the matter is that our crowd called Symonds "monkey". Why was Symonds chosen and not Ponting? In our culture it is perfectly acceptable to make fun of someone for their dark complexion (Kalu, Kaalia). We do not make fun of people's lighter complexion. I do not think that Mr.Panicker's example, of his wife calling him "monkey", applies to the situation at hand. However, I'm not entirely sure if the crowd was being racist or simply displaying appallingly bad taste. The same benefit of the doubt can not be extended to cricketers who represent our nation. They are pretty much our ambassadors, and any racist comments should be thoroughly deplored.
For anyone who wonders why we do not have an Umpire of International caliber, peruse Mr. Panicker's column. Emotion triumphs over objectivity and journalism. This is not necessarily a bad thing in India (rhetoric could actually help one's career) - however it is seen as lack of professionalism in other parts of the world. "Sissy schoolgirl" indeed - not as bad as using "Golliwog" in a previous article, but pretty close. Yellow journalism at its best.
RE:No spin
by anand kumar on Jan 08, 2008 06:08 PM Permalink
Monkey by any standards is definitely a bad word. Unfortunately, we Indians have a tendency of criticising our own selves which they feel as a style. When Ponting utters such words, we call its their way of playing cricket and when one retaliates he is abused and not backed by our own countrymen. whatta hypcrcy. amen
RE:No spin
by Sri Sri on Jan 08, 2008 06:11 PM Permalink
Why can't the benefit of doubt be extended to our players? How can you so sure that Bhajji has made a racist comment? Your statement seems to assume that it is a fact whereas it is not confirmed from any independent source. Finally, if you still are having difficulty between and emotions and objectivity after reading a column that has pointed out the real cause for the distraughtness of the Indians, you have to try harder to improve your reading abilities.
RE:No spin
by Calvin Corser on Jan 08, 2008 05:53 PM Permalink
I'm glad to see as I thought, there are people on the other side of the fence who can see things as they really are, not just interested in pushing their own agendas. Your words are actually one the most heartening things I've read over this whole issue, and what I would love to see people really take to heart. And would be a real way forward.
RE:No spin
by Calspadeaspade on Jan 08, 2008 07:16 PM Permalink
Symonds also had the white lipstick and the crowd behaved badly. Lot o west Indies players have played in India. No body complained of any racism. bad behaviour may be. This is a new thing that South Africa and Australia are trying to slap the Asian countries with. Australian officials complained about Symond being called racial slur immediately after South africa lodged a complainr against Pakistan. A slur is a slur whether racial or otherwise. So infuture all the asian countries should also protest every slur Aussies make in the form of gamesmanship. So far they had ignored them and Aussies got away with them.
