Muhammad Ali: 'They put me out of that restaurant', on throwing Olympic gold medal away - 1976

1976 Australia

Muhammad Ali granted an interview with Tim Blue, of the ABC’s This Day Tonight, in 1976, in which he recounts a racist incident in his home town of Lousville, Kentucky.. The incident was related in Ali’s 1973 autobiography. Ali’s wikipedia entry suggests there is some doubt on the story’s accuracy.. He tells it well!

It was 1958, we couldn’t eat in the restaurants in Louisville we couldn’t eat downtown.

One day I saw two Africans go in with their robes and their turbans. They couldn’t speak English and I heard the manager say, ‘let em in, they’re not negros’.

I thought, ‘somethng’s wrong’. I can’t access because I’m black and they’re so black they’re near blue but they went in.

So I said, ‘I’ll get my Olympic gold medal, then I’ll go in’.

So I went and got my Olympic gold medal, went back in, and ordered two cheeseburgers and the lady said, ‘sorry, we don’t serve negros ‘. I said, ‘I don’t eat them either, just give me two cheeseburgers’.

She said, ‘you’re getting smart’ and she called the manager and he said, ‘I don’t care who he is …’

‘He says he’s Cassius Clay’

‘I don’t care who he is.’

Anyway,  the idea was that I couldn’t eat there.

Anyway I got so angry I drove down to the Ohio river and stood there and looked at the gold medal, and I could imagine that American flag waving while they play the national anthem when I beat the Pole and I beat the Russian …

Dun dun dun dun dun dun!!! [singing beats]

And I’m standing there with the medal on …

Dun dun dun dun dun dun!!

I though I’m going back to Louisville, and I can eat there, I can go in the restaurants put them on the spot,  they can’t put me out now, I’m the champ of the world! I’m in a big country like Rome representing the United States out of one little city named Louisville, I now I beat the whole world!

Boy, dun dun …

They put me out of that restaurant, and I said, ‘this medal aint worth a damn’. I became so frustrated …

And now I wish I had it because I wouldn’t become so frustrated now, but at the time I took that medal and said, ‘it aint worth nothing, I don’t care’ and took it off my neck and said ‘it aint no good’ and threw it into the Ohio River.

I heard there are problems in Australia just like there are in America and in other countries. But to all of those regardless of whether you’re Australian, whether you’re black or white, this one thing I want you to always remember is this. When we mistreat others, we are certainly mistreating the artist who created them. If we realised this, it would not be difficult to feel God’s presence everywhere.

So I repeat. When we mistreat others we are certainly mistreating the artist who created them. If we realise this, it would not be difficult to feel God’s presence everywhere.

for Peter Norman: 'In the words of John Carlos, 'tell your children about Peter Norman' AOC Order of Merit Acceptance, by Janita Norman - 2018

My name is Janita Norman, I am Peter's eldest daughter. I am honoured to represent my family this evening. Attending tonight are Peter’s children Sandra Kadri, Gary, Belinda and Emma Norman, his 6 grandchildren, sister Elaine, her husband Michael, nephew John. Thelma Norman Peter's mother, my mum Ruth and Belinda and Emma’s mum Jan. I thank the AOC for hosting a wonderful celebration of Dad’s achievements tonight.

My brother and sisters assure me that being the family spokesperson is one of the responsibilities of the eldest child and at risk of revealing my age, their claim that I was the only child born prior to the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games further justifies to them ...my taking on this task tonight.

We are delighted at the AOC’s decision to honour Peter.... the announcement caused much excitement within our family, both smiles and tears – it evoked many emotions. About time?? Or Timed to perfection - What a great thing to happen this year, the 50th anniversary of the Mexico Olympic Games. A year of celebration, of recognition and of reflection of Dad’s life and his achievements.

It is sad that Peter is not here to receive the award, we know that he would be incredibly proud, humbled and ‘chuffed’ for the recognition bestowed upon him by the Australian Olympic Committee. He was often uncomfortable with recognition but I think in his own cool and calm way – even he would have struggled to conceal his elation at being recognised as one of our country’s great athletes.

We thank the AOC for recognising and acknowledging Peter's sporting achievements, his ongoing contribution to sport and for acknowledging the stand he made in support of his fellow athletes on the victory dais in 1968. His sporting career which encompassed Australian championships, Representing Australia at Empire, Pan Pacific and Commonwealth Games, the Olympic silver medal and the long standing Australian 200metres record. Fifty years holding the Australian record is in itself worthy of celebration.

In the past there has been conjecture over Peters place within his own sporting community, the award is recognition for a great athlete, and for a humanitarian and sends a clear message that Peter is accepted and recognised as he should be.

It is difficult to imagine any of these important achievements in isolation as it is a combination of all these things that have combined to make Peter Norman the unique story that is.

What if he had just run the race, won the medal and not been involved anything controversial – surely that would have been easier?

The race..... that incredible race, I have seen it countless times and I still hold my breath from that moment where there is that explosion of power on the home straight, as I lean forward toward the finish line, hold my breath ..... and then YES!!!

I have heard it said many times that his stand cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of sporting glory - an Olympic silver medal, an amazing athletic performance finishing second to split the two incredibly strong, formidable columns of pure power – Tommie Smith & John Carlos

As a child, with no understanding of the issues or the bigger picture, I was unsure if my father was a Hero or if he had done something to be ashamed of … a view that has now been replaced with understanding and admiration for standing up for his belief that “every man is born equal”

What I was sure about, was that Peter Norman landed on the world stage and in many ways became public property. The moment in time that he changed from being Dad, husband, son, brother....to part of history, that moment in time that is so familiar to us, captured forever in that iconic image.

I recall ---- Talking to an interested person a few years ago about the 68 Olympics-----I mentioned that my father won a silver medal in the 200metres -----I said “I’m sure you know the image, the one with the two African American athletes stand together with the little known Australian athlete – on the victory dais receiving their medals – taking a stand for civil rights – to which they said.............. - OMG -----I know that image---- That is incredible---so which one is your dad???

Interesting-----

So - Why Peter Norman?

Throughout Peter's life he touched many people personally or by identification with his story. He had an incredible sporting ability and the ability to motivate and inspire others.

You couldn’t help but like Peter, he was charismatic – He believed in people and people believed in him. He made lasting impressions on people. Over the years I have had countless people say to me..... .I met your father........... he was amazing................. .and they would share their story.

He was passionate about sport and athletics and hoped for the day that his record would be broken as this would be a demonstration of the competitive spirit, which he valued highly.

During his life he mentored young athletes and continues to inspire Australian sprinters who challenge themselves to better Peter’s record times and achievements. He often addressed groups of students, not to talk about his own achievements but to inspire and encourage, to talk about doing your absolute best, challenging yourself and being persistent.

Dad was generous with his time in many sporting areas, presenting medals, encouraging young kids, assisting with the Tri State games. He valued people’s sporting endeavours at any level with any ability.

It is not only in the sporting realm that Dad is held in high regard, Peter Norman is known as a Humanitarian, embraced by communities, groups and individuals who aspire to uphold the values for which he stood. He wasn't a political activist, he was clear and steadfast in his belief.

Primary and secondary school students study Social justice and Human rights as part of their course of studies. In a country that holds its sports men and women in high esteem Dad’s sporting achievements coupled with his courageous stand provide the perfect platform from which to convey the important message of acceptance, equality and inclusion to our children.

This is not a story that hides in history. This is a story that has its own life force, one which is constantly evolving and is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago, a story that is strengthening with added meaning over time and not diminishing.

A story that did not end in 2006 with Dad’s passing, since then it has gathered momentum as our society in many ways is more aware and ready to embrace the values of equality, inclusion and fundamental human rights.

For our family, it is important that Peter’s legacy continues, that Peter Norman is known as an important Australian sportsman and that his message resonates with each up and coming generation.

In the words of John Carlos ...... 'tell your children about Peter Norman'

Last year I received a message from a 12 year old student from the Bahamas. Beau was preparing his final important school assignment in preparation for his junior school graduation. His presentation was titled “Racism in Sport”

His message was so simple and so powerful, it moved our family to tears

His message read:

“My teacher (Ms Waterhouse) and I have been very touched by the story of your father and his courage during the 1968 Olympics. I know he is no longer alive but I still want to say THANK YOU to him for doing something so brave.”

This is Beau with his friends...........

Dad would have been overwhelmed by Beau’s message and this wonderful image, as we were.

Beau received a standing ovation, when he presented his project, spoke about Peter Norman and mentioned that he had reached out to Peter’s family.

This is the reason the story continues, this is why we need to recognise Peter Norman and why it is important to share the story with future generations

The Order of Merit is an important part of the progression of Dad’s story. Powerful and meaningful recognition by the Australian Olympic Committee that they value the sporing achievement of Peter Norman, his long standing Australian record and also the impact that his stand of support has made and continues to make to our society.

On behalf our family we are honoured to receive the Order on behalf of Peter.

Thank you

Patrick Hill: 'This is a movement, a journey towards equality', launch Hawthorn Women's Football Team - 2018

1 May 2018, Hawthorn Football Club, Melbourne, Australia

View video of speech on hawks website.

I’d like to welcome you all to the Inaugural Hawthorn Women’s Football team. Over the course of the next hour or so, you will get to meet the young women who will make represent our club and I’ve got no doubt you will recognize the same qualities in them that I see every day. Strength, courage, humility, honesty and passion to name a few.

When discussing women’s football, you cannot talk about the game alone. This is a movement, a journey towards equality, a small step in righting the wrongs of the past and an awakening of a powerful entity that will change the way we view our sport forever.

When I took the women’s senior coaching role at Box Hill last year, I was merely taking a job, the next role in a 15 year career. What I found was so much more. Of the 1000’s of coaching jobs all over Australia, I believe I have one of the best and most important. It has become my passion, my inspiration and my joy.

Never before have I been more excited and enthused to get to training on a cold July night. The love and passion these players have for the game is infectious. Their commitment to each other, their willingness to learn and develop and the way in which they tackle each road block standing between them and success, leaves me with nothing but admiration. Put simply, they inspire me each and every day to be a better man.

None of this would have been possible without the bravery and the generosity of the Box Hill Football Club who, along with Geelong, became the first VFL clubs to recognise the importance of inclusion and benefits of involving women at all levels of a football program.

Working closely with senior figures at Hawthorn, the Box Hill Hawks transformed the VFL for ever and made having a women’s program the envy of all other clubs.

This year we fall solely under the Hawthorn banner and have integrated our women’s program into every part of our business, on and off the field. We have developed a program that has surpassed many of the clubs that field an AFLW team and will continue to build on that, each and every year.

We are three teams, one club, and we will use every resource at our club to develop our players, coaches and support staff to be better on the field, in the coach’s box, on the sidelines or in life in general.

As a team we are hell bent in achieving success as a group. We have recruited strongly and strategically. The girls have worked extremely hard since November, and have completed more sessions than any other VFL club in preparation for 2018.

We put no limits on what we can achieve this year and have the finals firmly in our sights, a tough ask with only 4 teams out of 13 getting to compete in September. But we believe our best is good enough and will fight with everything we have to honour this great club.

We have beefed up our coaching department, our football admin, our strength and conditions and welfare departments. We have invested in technology to give the girls the very best our industry has to offer. No stone has been left unturned in ensuring we are successful in the years to come.

It is very important however, that while we chase on field success, we never lose sight of why women’s football matters. We must never lose sight of WHY we do this. While our ladies will be firmly focused on achieving success together, the impact they have in the community cannot be measured in wins and losses.

Our players are acutely aware of why they play this game and who they are playing it for. It is for every young girl in the Eastern suburbs with a dream. It is for every young Hawthorn supporter that has been told they can’t fulfil their passion in life because of their gender. It is for every young woman that needs help find a way forward, to find resilience from within and it is for every woman that has been neglected, mistreated or marginalised and needs the type of support only a good sporting club offers.

It is important that we continue to offer pathways for aspiring female talent in footy operations, in coaching, strength and conditioning. It is important that young men see these women being successful in these positions and influencing football in the years to come.

It is important for our community to see these strong, powerful, independent, career minded women as the role models they are. That they inspire other women to be the best they can be without fear of being labelled.

It is important that the Hawthorn Football Club continues to be a leader in this space. That we acknowledge WHY we are on this journey, that what we are doing matters, and that we continue to strive for equality, diversity and inclusion above all else.

Tonight ladies, you will receive your first Hawthorn jumper. It is a privilege and an honour to put this jumper on. And with that jumper comes a number, rich in history and worn by some of the games greats.

From Matthews to Mew, Brereton to Buckanara, Crimmins to Crawford, from Hudson to Hodge, each number comes with a story, most with a premiership and all with the blood, sweat and tears of the past. Tonight you will become custodians of that number, recipients of the jumper and the newest members of the family that is Hawthorn.

Remember always, that each and every day, we must earn the right to be part of this great club.

I thank you all for being here tonight to launch season 2018 and looking forward to getting to know you more as the year unfolds. A special thank you to our corporate partners who have displayed the courage to invest in women’s footy, you truly are making a difference to your community and should be applauded for it.

Lastly, I want to thank the parents, partners and friends. Without you in our lives, and the support you offer, this venture would be pointless. Regardless of how old be get, or how independent we think we are, we all in some way or another are just trying to make mum and dad proud. Hopefully we achieve that this year.

Thank you for your support and go Hawks!!

Emma Race: 'AFLW is giving us something to hold on to', The Outer Sanctum editorial - 2018

21 February 2018, ABC, Melbourne, Australia

The audio of her editorial below can be heard at 29.30 on 'Rainbows and Twitter Storms' ep of Outer Sanctum podcast

A word to those offended by the skills and scores in AFLW

Since the opening night of AFLW this year it's been impossible to ignore the chatter about the skills, and the goals. It just continues. That their skills are bad, that there's not enough goals. I’ve even read comments about how some people are confronted by the mere fact AFLW is on TV.

I don't know if you read it, but a former great and current octogenarian Neil Roberts was asked his thoughts on AFLW, and he added to the negative chat, unsurprisingly.

Because he was a proud former great who played when the patriarchy went completely unchecked, he was asked what he thinks of women playing football, and you can read his response. It doesn't really bare repeating. 

But I wish he'd been asked what he thinks of the recent charges against Shannon Grant.

Because we hear a lot on twitter and from journos about the low scores and the bad skills.

But for fans of men's AFL, for women like me, for us in this room who love the code ...

We have been confronted by the game.

And by worse things than low scoring matches and imperfect skills. 

We have been asked to accept and believe in the redemption of Wayne Carey, as he hosts White Ribbon Round.

We were confronted with the Steven Milne trial.

If you've read Anna Krien's book Night Games, you'd have been confronted with allegations of rape, abuse and power.

So today Shannon Grant is back in court facing up to 18 offences, including assault, and we have been horrified by the violence perpetrated by Justin Murphy against his former partner.

In July 2016 we heard the graphic details of Nick Stevens assault on his then girlfriend.

And that story continues.

I have heard a prominent AFLW player admit she fell out of love with the game and stopped playing because she didn’t know how to process the St Kilda School Girl story ... while she was a member and fan of that club.

Just last year my sister and I slept out at the G to make sure we had a seat to cheer for the Tigers as they won the Grand Final … only to be confronted by Nathan Broad’s text message the following day. 

For decades, we female fans of footy, have supported the men’s game.

We have paid our memberships and bought the merchandise.

But we have also been asked by our friends and strangers, to justify the behavior of the players, the stance of the clubs and the morality of the code that we love.

I believe in second chances and I believe in redemption, and I have afforded all those “former greats” the benefits of a fair hearing.

I continue to pay my membership and I continue to love my team and I love this game …

But I don’t know how to reconcile the racism and the sexism and the misogyny around the game.

And I can no longer defend it.

On twitter I was recently told it was a “cop out” to cite the positive social ripples the AFLW has created in defense of the scrappy opening night game.

And this has stayed with me.

Because what I can't do is split the joy AFLW gives me into on-field and off-field experiences.

Because the AFLW gives us something to hold on to, to keep us invested in the code. It's a safe place for us to celebrate our love of the game.  

So, I can easily defend what lack of skills there may be. And defending the numbers on the scoreboard? That is so easy.

Because it doesn’t hurt my sisters or their kids, the code or the community.

Please subscribe to the Outer Sanctum podcast here. You can hear Emma and team on ABC Local radio, 11am every Saturday during AFLW season.

Shona MacInnes: VAFA Womens Awards Night - 2017

14 August 2017, Melbourne, Australia

Wow! Look at all you beautiful people! I hardly recognise some of you without your footy jumpers & braids.

Thank you everyone for coming to another historic event for the Amateurs.

Speaking of history, we like celebrating historical milestones. This is the 125th year of men playing footy in the Victorian Amateur Football Association & it’s year number 1 for women.

I want you to cast your minds forward to 2067. It will be the 175th year of the VAFA and, more significantly, the 50th year of women playing footy in the Amateurs.

I’m sure they will have a gala event, even bigger & better than this, and someone will tell the story of when this all began. There won’t be a microphone like this but there will be an old screen like that because they will show snippets of the very first game of women’s footy played in the amateurs on Friday April 7th, 2017, between Hampton Rovers and Ormond.

It will seem like so long ago.

The audience will find the grainy old two Dimensional images slightly amusing. Someone will point out Kate MacQueen running around for Ormond. They will all know her because she had been a famous AFL player.

They will marvel at how we used to drive our own cars to the footy, and that there was this round thing called a steering wheel and we used to go like this and use pedals to make the car go where we wanted it to. They will find it hard to believe that it took an hour to get from Mentone to Marcellin.

And they will be intrigued by how we had things called phones & how we looked at them constantly. And these phones had screens and we used to use our fingers to do something called typing which was touching letters on the screen to writemessages. And we couldn’t be with-out them or else we’d get lost.

On this night in the future they may chuckle at our primitive technology, our phones and our segregated toilets but what they won’t giggle at –  is us.

They will look back on us with great respect and fondness, as we look back on the good people in history who were adventurous & progressive & who changed things for the better. They will be grateful to the men & women of the VAFA for starting this competition and for the sound foundations we put in place for them.

They will talk about a Board who made the most courageous decision in the 125 year history of the amateurs and, once made, unreservedly and without question supported this venture.

They will mention the small band of staff who, despite already running a competition with 10,000 players, took on the extra work load with enthusiasm and diligence. They will be grateful for the type of competition we ran and how we welcomed and included everyone.

They will listen in disbelief that 2017 was the first year a female umpire had officiated at an AFL match because by then umpiring will be a gender-neutral occupation.

They will thank the progressive & courageous Presidents & Committees of the foundation clubs who had the foresight & energy to see that women’s footy was the way forward.

They will talk about the coaches, who were mainly men in the beginning, who championed our women’s game and without hesitation shared their experience & knowledge.  

But above all they will applaud the brave young women who joined up to play, many of whom had never played before.  And how, at the start of the season, they turned up to training, awkward & unsure, but who listened and learned and worked hard to mould the competition into what it would become in the future.

They will note those women who went on to play AFL football, become famous coaches & administrators of the game and leaders in all fields in the community as a result of this competition. They may even point out the person who went on to become the first female to run the AFL. They will mention how this competition changed the lives of many of those girls and bettered the community as a whole.

Now, think of this:  Some of you players here tonight will be at this function in 2067, you will be in your 70’s and you will be guests of the VAFA and revered as pioneers and legends of the competition.

So: In 50 year’s time remember this night, and this year, and what all of us here have collectively achieved. Look back on it with great pride and truly appreciate what you were part of.

And as voices from the future we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Michael Sam: 'Great things can happen when you have the courage to be yourself', Arthur Ashe Courage Award, ESPYs - 2014

16 July, 2014, Nokia Center, Los Angeles, USA

Thank you so much, Dwayne, thank you, ESPN, and thank you, everyone. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is a big honor, but much bigger than just me. This year I had a lot of experience being a part of something bigger than myself. At times, I felt like I'd been living in a massive storm, and I know this storm will end. But I'm here tonight to tell you the lessons I learned about love, respect, and being yourself will never leave me.

The late, great, Arthur Ashe wasn't just courageous, he was brilliant, too. In fact, he once put all the wisdom in the world in three short sentences: Stay where you are,- sorry, Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. Those are the words to live by, whether you're black or white, young or old, straight or gay. So let me tell you why those words mean so much to me, like this award does.

First, start where you are. Like a lot of us, I didn't start on top. But it only drove me to get somewhere better. I was so lucky to have great father figures like Ronnie Pearl, my mentor and best friend. And great coaches like Gary Pinkel and Craig Smith, who knew my story, and did everything humanly possible to give it a better ending.

Next, use what you have. What I have is a privilege to play a game I love with all my heart. Football raised me. Football taught me about hard work, about discipline, and about teamwork. But whatever passion or talent you have, follow it. I followed mine, and it got me to this stage tonight, where I get to see a lot of my heroes looking back at me.

Finally, Arthur Ashe said do what you can. Those have been very meaningful words to me, and the way I see it, my responsibility in this moment in history is to stand up for everybody out there who wants nothing more than to be themselves openly. Recently, a friend asked me to talk to his sister, a young woman who was considering killing herself, rather than accepting and sharing with her loved ones the fact that she was gay. When we spoke, she told me that she would never consider hurting herself again, and that somehow my example, example would help her. [Applause.] It's, it's amazing to think, by what doing what we can we can all touch, change, and even save lives.

But I want to take a moment to thank some of my friends who've helped me. My team, Kerran Wise and Joe Barkett, young guys who took a chance on me, just like I took a chance on them. And Ken Sunshine. Ronnie and Candy Pearl, who've done so much to help me get here. My entire Mizzou family, for all the support they've given me, you will always be home. And to the Rams organization, Mr. Stan Cronkie, Les Snead, Coach Fisher, and my teammates. To my mother, a single mother who, somehow, raised eight kids, I love you dearly. Last but not least, Vito, people tell me that I'm their inspiration, but you are my inspiration.

Standing here tonight, looking out at all these legends who have already achieved so much is one of the thrills of my life. I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to, my best to live up to this honor and become the best football player I can. And finally, to anyone out there, especially young people, feeling like they don't fit in and would never be accepted, know this: great things can happen when you have the courage to be yourself.

Thank you, and God bless.