Boycott of Australian National Anthem Follows Colin Kaepernick's Protest of the US Anthem

[Patrick]

[quote]Former rugby league player Anthony Mundine has urged Australians to follow the lead set by NFL players in the United States and boycott the national anthem in the AFL and NRL grand finals.[/quote]
[quote]Former rugby league players, Larry Corowa and Joe Williams last week also urged indigenous players in the NRL final to not stand for the anthem.

"Imagine if a couple of guys did it on grand final day - what a powerful message it would send to white Australia," Williams told Rugby League Week.

"It would bring all the racism that's in the closet to the surface -- the racism we have to put up with every day. The way we are treated in shops, the way people look at us on the street and the way the government treats us.

"It's time it stopped. And our footballers are role models and the ideal ones to bring about change."[/quote]
[url]http://www.smh.com.au/sport/anthony-mundine-backs-national-anthem-boycott-at-weekend-finals-20160929-grrqo1.html[/url]

just saw this on the news, was sparked by a couple of individuals including this one
[url=https://www.facebook.com/junkeedotcom/videos/1007213146057816/]facebook video[/url]

[Reds]

Our anthem sucks, I'm sure nobody will mind.

[Spookly]

i dont think I know a single person who actually sings the anthem when its on or even knows the second verse

[Patrick]

i wouldn't be opposed to changing the anthem, but not because i believe it is racist.

[Saturn V]

the most i ever remembered of the finnish anthem was one verse lol

now i probably know maybe 1-2 lines?

but yeah how is standing up for an anthem such a big deal, i don't think anyone gives a fuck here

[Patrick]

if you want to have some extra fun, flick through the comments of the video i linked.

[Download]

I haven't been to a footy game in years but I'm pretty certain no one stands during the national anthem.

[Bradyns]

[QUOTE=Reds;51131112]Our anthem sucks, I'm sure nobody will mind.[/QUOTE]

I quite like it.
It's sensible and secular.

Sure, the tunes a little outdated but the lyrics are pretty on point.

[QUOTE]Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;

We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;

Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;

In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.[/QUOTE]

This is the version regularly played (only the first verse though):
[video=youtube;3CuMR6M8yIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CuMR6M8yIA[/video]

[Tasm]

This doesnt send a message to white Australia. It has no relation to race. Its a national anthem, not some sort of racial pride anthem.

God these guys are a bunch of idiots. Attempting to turn a national anthem into a race issue, what the hell is this logic

[Patrick]

[QUOTE=Tasm;51131172]This doesnt send a message to white Australia. It has no relation to race. Its a national anthem, not some sort of racial pride anthem.

God these guys are a bunch of idiots. Attempting to turn a national anthem into a race issue, what the hell is this logic[/QUOTE]

it's based notion on the national symbols of australia such as the anthem and flag were formed when indigenous australians were oppressed, therefore they are racist and our country is built on racism.

[Bradyns]

[QUOTE=Pat.Lithium;51131183]it's based notion on the national symbols of australia such as the anthem and flag were formed [B]when[/B] indigenous australians were oppressed, therefore they are racist and our country is built on racism.[/QUOTE]

Considering that Aboriginal communities [B]are[/B] still being moved from their homes/towns in the NT and WA, it's not exact past tense. As well as some of the police tensions in NSW, QLD, NT, and WA with prison related incidents, particularly juvenile detention centres it's not as easy to dismiss.

That said, Mundine is a has-been twat.

[Tasm]

[QUOTE=Pat.Lithium;51131183]it's based notion on the national symbols of australia such as the anthem and flag were formed when indigenous australians were oppressed, therefore they are racist and our country is built on racism.[/QUOTE]

Which is a rediculous notion. The anthem incorporates everyone, it simply holds no relevance to the oppression of aborigines, as much as some people would like it to.

[Archangel125]

And I've heard that AUS has racism issues in certain areas, so this could refer to that.

[Saturn V]

[QUOTE=archangel125;51131269]And I've heard that AUS has racism issues in certain areas, so this could refer to that.[/QUOTE]

i dont think there exists a country with no racism anywhere

[Kimr]

[QUOTE=Lolkork;51131201]all national anthems are shit[/QUOTE]

Found the heretic

[DogGunn]

Anthony Mundine is an idiot and an attention seeker, who cares what he has to say.

Also our anthem isn't really that bad. And they only play the national anthem before big games, like the ANZAC games or final games, otherwise its skipped. And when its played, you're asked to stand.

[fruxodaily]

They can do whatever they want, free speech

I disagree with it but if they feel content to do it, then so be it

[Tudd Fudders]

They can totally do it.

Doesn't stop me from thinking they are idiots though.

[Sims_doc]

I honestly can't tell if this story is people trolling.

[B]Edit:[/B] I don't see this changing, The song is perfect as it is.

[Archangel125]

Sorry, was on my cell phone and in bed last night, very tired. What I meant to say is that I don't think this protest is a protest of the anthem itself, but a protest of the symbol the anthem represents to draw attention to injustices these athletes feel exist within Australia.

[lavacano]

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;51132221]They can do whatever they want, free speech

I disagree with it but if they feel content to do it, then so be it[/QUOTE]

I wish the people in my own country felt that sports players deserve free speech.

[Mingebox]

[QUOTE=Lolkork;51131201]all national anthems are shit[/QUOTE]

Russian/Soviet anthem is S-tier.

[!LORD M!]

Everything is racist.

[GameWalrus]

I know the Waltzing Matilda one better.

[proboardslol]

[QUOTE=Bradyns;51131156]I quite like it.
It's sensible and secular.

Sure, the tunes a little outdated but the lyrics are pretty on point.

This is the version regularly played (only the first verse though):
[video=youtube;3CuMR6M8yIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CuMR6M8yIA[/video][/QUOTE]

Our national anthem rocks. It's about bombs and explosions and stuff WOO AMERICA

[angrytoadnoises]

[QUOTE=archangel125;51132590]Sorry, was on my cell phone and in bed last night, very tired. What I meant to say is that I don't think this protest is a protest of the anthem itself, but a protest of the symbol the anthem represents to draw attention to injustices these athletes feel exist within Australia.[/QUOTE]

I think most people get that, but still think it's silly as hell to pick on the anthem specifically.

[fruxodaily]

[QUOTE=lavacano;51132993]I wish the people in my own country felt that sports players deserve free speech.[/QUOTE]

Freedom of speech and expression grants you the right to either sit down, stand up, scream, shout, heckle etc at an anthem if you want to. It might be socially unacceptable but by law, you are able to and you're under the protection to do so

But I also have the right to think it's wrong, but as long as it's a kneel (since sitting down was found to kinda spit in the face of troops) without any heckling or whatever, then its fine