Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Jun 5
th, 2019 at 9:13pm:
Johnathan Thurston did a great job of the lead-in speech - regardless of having to check his notes once - and put it in perspective - All For One and One For All!
A true Elder Statesmen for the Indigenous.
I'd say leave it at that - and if you don't want to play for Australia - kindly step aside for someone who will.
I respect the ability of players - but when they make it a political issue over essentially nothing, given that they are among the more privileged in society overall - I draw the line.
Get with it or get out....
Again from a previous post Raven made in another thread.
Divisive is a deceptive notion upon which to base any argument about protest because it contains an often false assumption — that the subject of protest is inherently inclusive and, as such, can only be undermined and never enhanced to the benefit of all.
Cody Walker said — in the most measured and respectful manner possible — he would not sing the national anthem because it does not represent him or his family.
"I'm not pushing my view on anyone, it's just how me and my family have grown up and how I feel," Walker told Nine Media, making it abundantly clear he is not seeking to demean or overshadow State of Origin but merely to exercise a personal right.
While the silent protest has gained inevitable media traction, the more remarkable outcome is the absence of the kind of rancour that could usually have been expected had an Indigenous Australian player engaged in what would once have been portrayed as "un-Australian" and, yes, "divisive" behaviour.
On the contrary, it seems unlikely anyone will jeer Walker and Addo-Carr when they respectfully maintain their silence during Advance Australia Fair.
Rather, their demonstration is less confronting because it comes with the tacit support of the NRL at a time when the game is demonstrating genuine leadership in the often contentious realm of Indigenous affairs.
Cody Walker is of mixed heritage so no matter whether he thinks it doesn't represent him and how he identifies it still does.