In the wake of the booing controversy surrounding Aboriginal AFL player, Adam Goodes, the Eden Magnet asked locals if they felt racism was an issue in the area and what should be done to stamp it out?
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Wayne Newton
Eden
I think Adam is a big sook. I think the booing was in reaction to his actions, not his colour. But I think racism is an issue here in Eden, and everywhere. And I don’t think the problem just goes one way. I think some people use their colour as an excuse. There are two sorts of racism, and often the whites will come away worse-off.
Eileen Warnock
Merimbula
I come to Eden a lot for work, and do a lot of deliveries to both business and homes, and I’ve never seen or experienced racism. And I don’t really get the Adam Goodes thing. I don’t think it was racist. I think one person probably started it, and then it was the mob mentality of a sport crowd, with everyone just joining in.
Josh Ingram
Wolumla
I haven’t seen or experienced racism personally, but I know that it exists in our schools for the younger kids. I have kids at Wolumla Public and one kid at the Eden Marine High School, and they’ve all seen it. It’s mostly bullying, but there’s a fine line between bullying and racism. We need to be much tougher with bullies and racists.
Coral Blazely
Eden
I’ve been following Adam’s story from the start, and I reckon it’s been milked to the hilt and the media is making it worse. It’s been blown out of proportion. But I don’t believe there should be racism anywhere. I grew up in Eden with Aboriginal people all around me, and never saw a problem.
Robert Bobbin
Eden
There’s definitely racism here in Eden. I was married to an Aboriginal woman, and she was the most beautiful woman I ever knew, and I heard lots of racist comments about her. Racism shouldn’t exist in this day and age. We need to accept kooris as our original Australians, and embrace one another, not criticise one another.
Shaquille Aldridge
Eden
I know there’s racism in Eden, but I never experienced it myself. The booing of Adam is just disrespectful, considering what he’s done for the fans and for the sport. He’s a star of the game, not just for Aboriginal people but for everyone. I’m not sure what can be done about racism. I doubt it’s ever going to change.
Flo Young
Eden
I don’t think racism against Aboriginal people is a problem in Eden. If anything, the racism has been in reverse. But my kids schooled with koori kids and there was never an issue. I think the Adam Goodes story has been a storm in a teacup, with too much focus on the negative. The things called out during football matches, even here, can be heated. It’s got nothing to do with racism.
