Adam Goodes was born January 8, 1980.

Goodes’ mother was a

member of the “stolen generation” of Aboriginals who were forcibly

removed from their families. Adam Goodes faced racism at a

young age due to his mixed heritage. He began playing for the

Under-18 North Ballarat Rebels at age 16, and during an interview

stated that “Once people saw you kick a football it broke down

barriers. Instead of being the new skinny black kid you were the kid

everyone wanted on their team”. Football was, in a way, an escape

to the systemic racism that he faced. Unfortunately for Goodes, it

had continued to grow and spread throughout his AFL career, to

the point where he was racially vilified in 2013 by a teenage girl in

2013. This would start a chain of events that would ultimately lead

to his retirement at the end of the 2015 season. It was revealed that

there was a lack of contribution during Adam’s stand against

racism, as the AFL apologised in 2019 for failing to support him.

During his career in the AFL, Adam Goodes effectively drew

attention to civil rights and freedoms in Australia by publicly

addressing issues related to racism and discrimination. His

actions initiated widespread discussions, pushing individuals to

confront these matters and compelling the AFL to introduce

measures against racism. Goodes' acknowledgment of his

Indigenous heritage on the field additionally fostered a sense of

cultural pride within Indigenous communities. Nevertheless, the

response to his advocacy efforts was polarised, with some

perceiving his actions as potentially divisive. The long-term

consequences of his endeavours on civil rights and freedoms in

Australia are an ongoing subject of analysis, but it is undeniable

that his actions played a role in stimulating a broader national

conversation on discrimination and Indigenous rights.

After such conflicts, Adam Goodes became a prominent figure in

discussions about civil rights and freedoms in Australia,

particularly in relation to Indigenous rights. He has used his

platform as an AFL player to shed light on Indigenous issues, often

openly condemning instances of racial abuse both on and off the

court. In 2019, a documentary titled “The Final Quarter” emerged,

centering on the final years of Goodes’ career to highlight the

prevalence of racism in Australian society.

To further raise awareness, Goodes has engaged in educational

programs and initiatives designed to foster understanding and

reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous

Australians. This encompassed his role as an ambassador for

organisations such as the GO Foundation which focuses on

empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models in all

walks of life.
The effectiveness of Adam Goodes' efforts lies in their capacity to

spark meaningful conversations on racism and discrimination

within Australia, both nationally and internationally. His actions

resulted in heightened awareness of these issues and tangible

reforms within the AFL, including the introduction of anti-racism

initiatives and campaigns.

The documentary "The Final Quarter" further amplified this impact

by educating the public about the extent of racial abuse Goodes

faced, leading to calls for change. Nonetheless, his advocacy

stirred diverse reactions, underscoring the intricate nature of

addressing deeply entrenched racism. The lasting influence of his

endeavours on civil rights and freedoms in Australia's future

remains a subject of ongoing scrutiny.

Overall, Adam Goodes’ experiences have raised significant

attention and awareness about racism. As quoted from Goodes

himself: "I believe everything happens for a reason", and rightfully

so, as he has had a massive influence on the perception of

Indigenous people. By alerting society about the damaging

impacts of racism, Goodes has sparked a new wave of renewed

commitment to addressing racial discrimination, fostering

empathy, and promoting greater inclusivity, not only in the world

of sports but also within broader Australian society.

Racism against Indigenous people of Australia is still very

prominent today, though it has been nullified significantly.

Australian racism is caused by a multitude of factors, including

the colonisation of Australia combined with intergenerational

trauma, having limited access to education and cultural barriers

which make it difficult for Indigenous people to fully participate in

society, achieve equitable economic opportunities, and access

quality healthcare and social services. These factors create a cycle

of disadvantage that perpetuates systemic racism and hinders

the overall well-being and advancement of Indigenous

communities.

Our strategy to impede this situation in an effective and logical

manner is to educate the population in acknowledging the

indigenous population and provide training and workshops within

schools and community classes on recognizing and addressing

biases, stereotypes, and microaggressions. Furthermore, we will

provide a “Victims of racism” help and awareness page, for

individuals suffering from racism. This page will provide any

victims suffering from racism with effective solutions and

instructions in order to deal with the situation. This includes

support pages, legal options and how to take care of yourself

when in this circumstance. With this strategy, the Indigenous

population should face less discrimination fostering a more

inclusive and harmonious society that values and respects the

rights and dignity of all its members. This strategy can still be

used in today's context as many Indigenous people still suffer from

racism, with minimal methods to combat its devastating effects.