Maintaining belief in the power of sport (despite ongoing racism)

The Times (UK) sportswriter Simon Barnes (2011: 42) summed up the alluring contradiction of sport: “There are bad things in all sports. And yet we still watch sport, we still follow sport, we still love sport.” This article provides an insight into the racism and discrimination in Australian sport, which exists across different sporting codes and at both the elite and grassroots levels. It will highlight how sport is a reliable barometer of societal attitudes and show how racism is injurious, not just to the individual, but also to the wider community. It will outline the laws and programs aimed at countering intolerance and prejudice, and illustrate how they are crucial in changing harmful social attitudes and in reinforcing positive behaviour. Finally, it aims to show why sport, despite its failings, is still an extremely effective arena in which to tackle racism and one of the most powerful ways to influence individuals and society in a positive way by encouraging reconciliation and social inclusion.