Here's something interesting! Here's a picture of the "Indian Spectacled Monkey" from a British publication. http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/SpectacledMonkeyR_468x477.jpg
And here is the man in question
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071010/capt.xgs11110101138.india_australia_cricket_xgs111.jpg
He is NOT called monkey for any racial characteristics - shape or size of facial features, or colour of skin, or anything else you could imagine. He is called a monkey because he has chosen to cultivate an image that bears a striking resemblance to a monkey, and insists on attracting the irk of Indian cricketers and fans through his on-field behaviour. Both factors together have earned him his recent place in the animal kingdom.
The question to ask is not whether Australians can tell the difference. The question to ask is why they choose not to. Some hypotheses - (i) because it makes their own racism look like a universal phenomenon, (ii) because they can use it tactically in cricket, or maybe because (iii) T-I-A ... this is Australia... playing hard is the norm, playing fair is optional.
5 comments:
well, to give the benefit of the doubt to Symonds.. lets assume that Harbajan DID utter the word "Monkey". now, is the word monkey supposed to represent symonds from here on? and how is it being racist? for that matter even the great pakistani batsman/captain "Inzamam-ul Haq" was called as "Aaloo" meaning Potato! These are nick-names that people come to be related with because of their appearance.. its not being racist! please lets not act like grown-ups and not go crying to Mama on such petty issues!!!
You my friend are a pretty solid piece of evidence that India has a very long way to go before you can lecture on civility or racism.
Your really should be ashamed of yourself.
Kris, thanks for the personal assault - not sure what I did to deserve it. Care to elaborate?
Too many people resort to personal attacks when they fail to find credible counterarguments.
But I'm sure you're one of those civilized people from the civilized "first" world. In your case it must have been just an omission nothing more.
Where is the personal insult? Maybe you should take a look at your original post and have a good hard think about why some people might think think that it is shameful.
And mate, you need to get that chip on your shoulder looked at, you'll end up drowning in your own bile.
Please see the latest post on the blog.
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