The Impact of Colonialism and Racism on Australian Society

This report delves into the multifaceted effects of colonialism and racism on Australian society, with a particular focus on their manifestation within the realm of sports. It examines how colonialism has shaped cultural and economic dominance, impacting the lives of indigenous populations. The report analyzes the reinforcement of colonial ideologies in Australian popular culture and, more specifically, within the sports arena, highlighting instances of racial prejudice and discrimination. It explores the representation of indigenous athletes, such as Cathy Freeman, in the media and the role of sports in promoting or hindering national unity and reconciliation. Furthermore, the report investigates the ways in which players are working to decolonize their experiences, discussing the complexities of managing racism and ethnicity within the context of Australian society, and the impact of humanitarian aid.

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What does colonialism mean for you?
Colonialism is a concept where a country seeks to extend or retain its authority over
other people or territories with the aim of attaining cultural and economic dominance.
Colonizers achieve this by imposing their regions, economics and cultural practices on the
indigenous people in the wake of their rule. They put their interest before those of the native
country or territory, they take advantage of them and benefit from their resources. After world
war II, from 1945 – 1975 most countries had gained their independence however, post-
colonialism and neocolonialism have continued with the perpetrators justifying their endeavor
on development and new-frontier narrative (Chiriyankandath, 2017). Therefore, in my view,
colonialism is a state where more developed countries especially from Europe are interfering
with our personal affairs in the name of development. In the process, our cultural practices are
eroded as we are influenced to assimilate western civilization.
How is colonialism being reinforced in Australian popular culture? In sports?
Cultural imperialism or cultural colonialism is a concept where politically,
economically powerful and more ‘civilized’ nations tend to impose their cultural practices on
less or venerable society. They determine cultural values and civilizations and influence other
countries to assimilate them. In most cases media has been used as the medium through which
these cultural practices and civilizations are passed to the society. Racial prejudice remains world
most social problem. Australia has the largest immigrant population and is dominated by the
whites as such, social stressors such as race, class and ethnic divisions have been witnessed.
Sport is a tool that can be used to promote national unity. It can be used to gauge a country on

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the international community. Therefore, during sports emotions run high and race factor can be
experienced.
In 1990s, media played a destructive role solving racism in Australia (Aquino, 2017). It
was used by the white dominant to portray Aboriginal and indigenous Australians as backward,
source of crime, conflicts and fighting, drunkards and hopeless just as politicians and some
immigration have believed. They were marginalized to the extent that their children were not
allowed to pursue careers, access health care and even intermingle with immigrants. Policy
makers were majorly whites, Aboriginal and indigenous Australians had no say on the national
agenda, powerful positions were only meant for the whites. 2000 Olympic in Sydney, just a few
people approved of Cathy Freeman to represent the nation in 400 meters’ race. Sports men and
women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander were not given equal opportunities at the
national level and whenever they got the chance they were booed and racially abused. Their skin
color was their undoing and was used as an identity and a weapon against them. Other
immigrants in Australia also experience racial discrimination. In early 2020 when covid-19
broke out, locals were allowed to attend NT’s Tiwi Island grand final except for the tourist.
Authorities argued they could infect the locals (Zwartz, H., 2020).
Impacts on non-indigenous perception of indigenous athletes (i.e. Cathy Freeman) and role
model implications. What does the reading say about representation of Indigenous
athletes?
Since Australia is a white dominant nation with over 29% immigrants, racism and
ethnicity always immerge. Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders communities were marginalized
and considered ‘others’, players were constantly subjected to racial abuse and this therefore

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prompted leaders and players such as Cathy Freeman to start speaking on their experiences and
condemn these injustices and stereotypes (Freeman, 2018). Aboriginal and indigenous
Australians athletes were not given chance to represent their regions, during 2000 Olympic over
71% of national Olympic authority did not approve of Cathy Freeman to represent the nation.
Government refusal to apologize for the wrongs and injustices that had been committed against
indigenous people prompted organization of reconciliation marches across the country where
thousands of Australians signed ‘sorry book’ demonstrating their support for the Aborigines and
Torres strait islanders.
When Aboriginal 400-meter athlete Cathy Freeman won the 2000 Sydney Olympic she
was supported by the whole country. Cathy wept, she was filled with emotions for the support
she received from all Australians communities, she celebrated with both Australian and
Aboriginal flags, people resisted the slogan ‘she is not one of us’ an act that symbolized national
reconciliation. Images of Cathy Freeman holding flame aloft circulated in the media and even in
the stadium, this gesture was applauded by Australians and the international community as a
symbol of national unity and reconciliations. Use of Aboriginal imagery highlighted that
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were also part of Australian nation. These initiatives
contributed immensely on national unity and reconciliation as Australian identity and place of
Aboriginal cultural practices were included as part of national culture.
How Colonialism and racism and ethnicity distinguished and managed? How are the
players decolonizing their experience?
As a result of colonization, Australia majority population are English and 29%
immigrants, Western civilization is therefore affecting majority of the population. Traditional

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and cultural practices of the indigenous Australians are facing threat of being faced out. Despite
AFL recognizing Aboriginal traditional marngrook style of football to be incorporated in modern
Australian football rules, Mr. Hay a white historian is holding a different view. He feels that
indigenous football has no connection to modern Australian football rules which in his view
emanated from English football. Mr. Hay also argue that ancient marngrook football was low,
rugby-style game and could not be compared with the modern football. He also feels that
marngrook football is an ancient style that needs ethnic cleansing, only white men could play
organized football and win tournaments in 1850s.
Adam Goodes was constantly booed and racial abused on his home tuff yet AFL did
nothing to punish perpetrators because they were whites and Adam was black (Matamoros
Fernandez, n.d.). Racism was not recognized and therefore, Aborigines like Adams, Cathy
Freeman and Ashleigh Bartys suffered. Mr. Hay even termed AFL’s apology to Adams as a
piece of image management. Despite all these racial rants and inequalities sport’s men and
women have faced in their endeavor, they have always come out stronger and decolonizing their
experiences (Curtin University., 2017). Cathy Freeman won gold medal in 400-meters race in
2000 Olympic and her victory marked the beginning of national unity and reconciliations.
Adams and other indigenous Australians supported each other during hard times and managed to
play over 300 games despite racial attacks and stereotypes. They also decolonize their
experiences through speaking openly about them.

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References
Aquino, K. (2017). Racism and Resistance among the Filipino Diaspora.
doi:10.4324/9781315201306
Chiriyankandath, J. (2017). 2. Colonialism and Post-Colonial Development. Politics in the
Developing World. doi:10.1093/hepl/9780198737438.003.0002
Curtin University. (2017). Listen up: Decolonisation is a collective effort by all Australians.
Freeman, C. (2018). MJA sports medicine issue. Medical Journal of Australia, 208(6), 241-
241. doi:10.5694/mja18.i0204
Matamoros Fernandez, A. (n.d.). Platformed Racism: The Adam Goodes War Dance and
Booing Controversy on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
doi:10.5204/thesis.eprints.120573
Zwartz, H. (2020). Coronavirus fears spark tourist ban at Tiwi Islands grand finale.