Mahatma Gandhi once said: ’It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.’

This quote makes me ponder how people who make racist, sexist or homophobic remarks can feel good about the fact that they have hurt and demeaned someone.

I am similarly dismayed at how otherwise rational, tolerant people can change into fanatical supporters at weekend sporting events, directing racist abuse at opposition players then passing it off as mere innocent ‘sledging’.

I’m not alone. Former Hawthorn AFL champion Dermott Brereton said he could never understand why supporters felt they had the right to lean over the fence at a game and shout obscenities at players. ’Make those comments away from the playing field and you would get a physical and verbal clip around the head for your rudeness,’ he said.

The actions of players who racially vilify other players and then hide behind lame excuses such as ‘it happened in the heat of the moment’ or ‘what happens on the field stays on the field’ are just as hard to comprehend.

So what are we doing to address racism in sport and challenge these behaviours?

Most sporting organisations now have a range of member protection polices and codes in place to address discrimination and harassment complaints. They are also acutely aware of the importance of encouraging diversity and providing a welcoming culture.

There are also national programs such as Play by the Rules, which provide online information, resources, tools, training courses and campaigns to help make sport safe, fair and inclusive.

There’s no doubt that Australia has come a long way in stamping out racism in sport. Most people understand this type of behaviour is socially unacceptable and realise that it is deeply painful and damaging for those at the receiving end of such abuse.

The key is to constantly educate participants and administrators on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in the sporting arena. When racism occurs in sport we need to address it and reinforce a positive and inclusive culture.

Gandhi would have expected nothing less — neither should we.

http://www.playbytherules.net.au/

Paul Oliver has more than 20 years experience in the sport and human rights area, including as a sports journalist/editor, media advisor and Communications Director at the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2006, Paul wrote the report ‘What’s the Score?  A Survey of Cultural Diversity and Racism in Australian Sport’. Paul is currently the National Manager of Play by the Rules and is also undertaking PhD research through Curtin University into the power of sport to break down cultural barriers and build social bridges.