How is acting like a monkey racist ?

[suma25]

I don't think many understood that, even when it was highlighted after Baroda ODI. I myself have been trying my best to understand how a monkey chant equates to racism. And till today I haven't understood. Maybe, monkeys were/are being compared to blacks in west, to deride them? I simply have no idea. And I'm sure that the crowd didn't have either, They were doing this just to rile up the Aussies. I saw a placard in yesterday's match: "Aussies are our guests. Our guests are like God. And one of our gods is monkey" Do you think they were being racist there?

no but to andrew symmonds it is racist taunt so wudnt you be more sensitive to your guests rather than saying since it is not racist in my culture to call you monkey it doesnt matter if you expect australian media to be sensitive to indian culture shuldnt you do the same

[Chandan]

no but to andrew symmonds it is racist taunt so wudnt you be more sensitive to your guests rather than saying since it is not racist in my culture to call you monkey it doesnt matter if you expect australian media to be sensitive to indian culture shuldnt you do the same

But why can't Symonds be explained that being called a monkey is not an insult in India since one of the deities here is monkey? Surely it is easier to explain this thing to one person rather than explaining the whole mass as to why monkey chants or acts are insulting to Symonds?

[The Outsider]

Slightly off topic, but stray monkeys in cities are such a nuisance because people go up in arms at the slightest of actions by local authorities to wrap them up.

[Chandan]

While we are at racism, tell me how many of you have read this article: Racism in cricket? Refer to Australian report just out While the Symonds controversy brews, an internal report says racial abuse is prevalent in Australian cricket AJAY S SHANKAR New Delhi, October 16: The noise coming out of the Australian cricket camp over its star Andrew Symonds being taunted by “monkey chants†during last week’s one-day international in Vadodara seems a bit over the top—when you consider the startling contents of an Australian government-backed report that was released today. Racial abuse is prevalent across the sporting world of Australia, including its cricket grounds, says the report titled ‘ What’s the Score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport’ that was released today by Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC). On Australian cricket, the report points to “racial sledging†of South African cricketers who “were referred to as kaffirs by a small section of spectators†at Perth in December 2005. It says that cricketers from Sri Lanka were “subjected to calls of ‘black c——’ at Adelaide, and adds that an ICC security official was punched by spectators in Melbourne. “It is clear that incidents of racial abuse and vilification are prevalent across all major sporting codes, involving professional sportspeople, amateurs, coaches and spectators. The fear of racism in Australian sport is also a major barrier to participation for Indigenous people and those from various ethnic and cultural groups,†says Race Discrimination Commissioner Tom Calma about the report that has been put up on the commission’s website www.hreoc.gov.au. Focusing on Cricket Australia, apart from 16 other national sporting organisations Down Under, the report says: “Don’t believe the spin doctors — racism still exists in sport.†Under the heading ‘A Summer of Discontent’, the report says about racism in Australian cricket: “It is not surprising that Cricket Australia was highly embarrassed by the racist taunts directed at visiting cricketers during the 2005-06 international series, which led to an International Cricket Council (ICC) investigation into the behaviour of Australian crowds. “The racist sledging of players by spectators started during the Perth Test in December 2005, when some South African players were referred to as ‘kaffirs’ by a small section of spectators in the crowd. Similar taunting was also reported by the South African players in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Members of the Sri Lankan team were subjected to calls of ‘black c——’ from spectators at the Adelaide Oval during a One Day International match on Australia Day. “Players haven’t been the only targets. The International Cricket Council’s regional anti-corruption and security chief, John Rhodes, was punched by a drunken spectator at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome after being identified as South African.†Under another heading ‘Deep Concerns Remain’, the report says, “For racism to have infected Australia’s national summer pastime and a sport long regarded as one of the world’s most ‘civilised’ games is deeply concerning for a country that prides itself on being fair-minded and multicultural.†It adds: “So too is a recent survey of cricket fans, which indicates opinion is divided on the contentious behaviour of Australian crowds. Many seem to think there is no problem at all. A poll on cricket website baggygreen.com.au found that 46 per cent of 12,000 respondents believed crowd behaviour had been acceptable during the 2005-06 summer season.†Then, it quotes Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland as saying, “ I think it’s embarrassing for Australian cricket that we are put in a position where this review has been implemented.†However, the report acknowledges that “Cricket Australia acted quickly to reinforce its zero-tolerance policy towards racist abuse, with security staff ordered to eject any perpetrators from the ground and heavy fines for racist behaviourâ€. In Vadodara, Australian all-rounder Symonds had alleged that he faced racial taunts from spectators during the one-day international, following which the ICC sent a letter to the BCCI, citing media reports, asking it to explain. The Australian media has also launched a high-pitched campaign against the Indian cricket board for its “inactionâ€. BCCI’s Anti-Racism Commissioner Prof Ratnakar Shetty told The Indian Express: “All of us know how Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan was taunted by crowds in Australia. We know how they treated England’s Monty Panesar. Look who is talking.†Shetty, who is also the BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer, added: “I was present in Vadodara during the match, and the noise from the crowd was deafening. I don’t understand how you could make out monkey noises from all that. What is this monkey noise, anyway? Or Mr Andrew Symonds should report to us exactly what was said to him. Then, it makes sense. But he has not done that, either.†In fact, the Symonds episode is the latest in a one-day series of heated tempers — Australia leads 4-1 with the final match coming up tomorrow in Mumbai — with Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh earlier accusing the Australian cricketers of “ungentlemanly behaviourâ€. ----------------------------------------------------------- Of course this had come out before the Mumbai ODI

[suma25]

But why can't Symonds be explained that being called a monkey is not an insult in India since one of the deities here is monkey? Surely it is easier to explain this thing to one person rather than explaining the whole mass as to why monkey chants or acts are insulting to Symonds?

would you allow some thing to continue if its ok to you but not ok or hurtful/insulting for your guests..... hmmm... how difficult is to to announce it in the public address system in the ground before the start of the match thats is what was done at wankhade stadium ( and just no monkey chants please) .... and the people who made those monkey gestures at wankhade looked decent educated people to know tht such behaviour is not done...... just because its acceptable in indian culture doesnt mean he should take it lying down.....

[Chandan]

But without knowing the reason, how can anyone know why something is insulting to something? You think if things were announced , people would abide by it without asking why?

[yoda]

But without knowing the reason' date=' how can anyone know why something is insulting to something? You think if things were announced , people would abide by it without asking why?[/quote'] How do you know they (for example the guy who was making monkey gestures this last game) was innocent? What if he knew it was indeed racist and hence decided to go ahead and make them? Also, why would someone decide to do monkey chants and gestures against a SPECIFIC person unless they found a connection between him and a monkey? And if so, what exactly is monkeyish about Symonds? His looks when compared to the other white guys in the team?

[suma25]

But without knowing the reason' date=' how can anyone know why something is insulting to something? You think if things were announced , people would abide by it without asking why?[/quote'] no . but it had been mentioned in the media that it was racist .....and that he was black and it was insulting and people questioning why its wrong that should have been enough ....

[beetle]

How do you know they (for example the guy who was making monkey gestures this last game) was innocent? What if he knew it was indeed racist and hence decided to go ahead and make them? Also, why would someone decide to do monkey chants and gestures against a SPECIFIC person unless they found a connection between him and a monkey? And if so, what exactly is monkeyish about Symonds? His looks when compared to the other white guys in the team?

I don't know if they did that in a racist way...but those scum of the earth morons deserve to shamed and punished for this.

[beetle]

Do you people think symonds would have been teased or heckled(because that is what it seems more likely) if he had been less abnoxious on this tour. Is it possible that it is because of all his stupid comments about the Indian celebrations and the gifts they got and what the aussies were going to do about it. The behaviour of the crowd was extremely bad.... And so has been symonds through out the tour.

[youngindia]

Oh my god' date=' i would have never thought of it...i am sure onli 1 in 100 could think of such a relation....i thought it was just because he looks like a bloody monkey !!!! :D:D:D[/quote'] That's pretty much rite. which simpleton thinks of evolution or such stuff? My first experience came when watching a sidney poitier movie. a few cousins of me commented "oh my god he looks like a monkey". they have not grown up into adults back then. but i noticed since then people of african americans are easily seen that way and invite negative comments. Indians too hold such views. Precisely why i don't buy comments like its not racism with such experiences.Maybe a few of them mindlessly joined inthe fun. but its a nasty way of" having fun" and they deserve no less contempt. Chandan, implying to a player of nergoid look that his face looks like a monkey is certainly racist. aryans and dravidians are not races. they are linguistic classifications though i am guilty of using these labels for humor sometimes :)

[Chandan]

That's pretty much rite. which simpleton thinks of evolution or such stuff? Chandan, implying to a player of nergoid look that his face looks like a monkey is certainly racist.

YI, If comparing to a person's physical appearance to monkey is racism, why is comparing a person's appearance to elephant not considered racist? Why should monkey chant hurt a black player and in which way? Unless I get the answer to this question, how will I be able to respect the person's sentiment from heart?

[coffee_rules]

Chandan, there is a lot of history to it as well. India might not have been involved in that history. Calling a black guy a Monkey is considered racist in most countries which have seen a lot of racism. Just like calling somebody a "shudra" is considered casteist/racist in India.

[youngindia]

If comparing to a person's physical appearance to monkey is racism, why is comparing a person's appearance to elephant not considered racist?

Racism essentially means race was a factor in a negative opinion. The fact that african american looks are equated to monkeys (regardless of indivdual) makes it racist. why was sidney poitier called as looking like monkey? was sylvester stallone or arnold or van damme ever been called monkeys? that's the point. ALso sometimes tradition or events play a role. for example the word "paki" is a racist taunt used in british for south asians.The british residents here are likely to raise red flag at the term. when indians outside britain or even bush referred to pakistanis as "pakis" unwittingly, the british based forummers will object. Monkey chants also have become a known racist taunt reserved for blacks.

[Chandan]

Actually that is what I've been trying to say. Most of us Indians who've never been to west are completely unaware of this aspect. Someone told me that some of the Indians who aspire to look fairer is also akin to a racist mentality. Well, I am shocked! As far as animals are concerned, monkeys or elephants are our deities and hence there just can't be any negative connotation by using the names of these in India. So I can understand how people, who don't know the history to racism between black and white, have completely let it go and the moment they came to know of one thing which riled even one Australian, they pounced upon it. I think the behaviour of crowd was extremely poor, almost extending to hooliganism. But they couldn't have understood the deep-rooted meaning of this rile-up act!

[coffee_rules]

Why did they make those "monkey" acts only at Symonds and notLlee. Ponting or Hayden? Even they have been obnoxious in their behaviour. That shows that the crowd knew that calling the only non-white in Aus team, a monkey, is a racist insult. I am sorry, It is tough to give them the BOD when Euro Football is so famous in India, they know that Monkey chants is insulting to blacks.

[fineleg]

Yes, why did they not make monkey noises at OTHER aussie players? Why only Symmonds?

[Chandan]

They did that to every player. It is just that Symonds got offended. By the time of last ODI , Australian media had blown it out of proportion and everyone knew that Symonds got offended by anything to do with monkey. Hence he was targetted separately in Mumbai.

[youngindia]

Actually that is what I've been trying to say. Most of us Indians who've never been to west are completely unaware of this aspect. !

when my cousins called sidney a monkey we were pretty much growing up in india and we went to the west only a decade or so later. They saw an african american look as "monkeyish" because of their immaturity as children that time. can the same excuse be made for 20+ yr olds today? it has everything to do with looking upon a human of negroid classification as a monkey. nothing to do with living in india or USA.

Someone told me that some of the Indians who aspire to look fairer is also akin to a racist mentality.

Not really. I will say if you regard a fairer race as desirable and a darker race as less desirable in qualties, its racist. In some borderline cases, i will say people are shallow rather than racist because they are biased in favor of the fairer person because of physical attractiveness.

So I can understand how people, who don't know the history to racism between black and white, have completely let it go and the moment they came to know of one thing which riled even one Australian, they pounced upon it.

Some people may have just joined in with the crowd or not aware of this soccer related problems. but i have no doubts whatsoever of the rest.

[MundaPakistani]

When it happened in the 4th ODI i ignored the whole issue because i felt the people doing it might have just cross the line while having a good time but for it to happen in 3 consecutive matches is really disturbing and i hope it is stopped right here right now! If i am not mistaken this has happened in Mumbai before too so obviously there is a problem and it's better not to sweep it under the carpet.