Not Just a Tall Poppy: Race Played a Big Part in the Australian Media's Attacks on Ben Simmons

Did we learn nothing from the Adam Goodes saga?

Ben Simmons is one of Australia’s most successful athletes. He’s sitting on a multimillion-dollar NBA contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he’s using his platform as a producer to promote the doco The Australian Dream, all about Australia’s racial vilification of sportsman Adam Goodes.

But Ben’s recent visit back home has been less than welcoming.

It seems the documentary couldn’t come out soon enough with Simmons now being told to shut up and head back to Philadelphia.

"Gee whiz I'm sick of Ben Simmons!"

Vol-Kane-O has erupted over the Philadelphia 76ers superstar.#9AFLSFS pic.twitter.com/w97mHoDuyf

— Sunday Footy Show (@SunFootyShow) August 11, 2019

It began when he withdrew from the Boomers FIBA World Cup campaign in China (and then the exhibition matches to be held in Perth and Melbourne). Instead, he trained with the 76ers; you know, the team that he’s required by contract to play and train with, and which pays him to do so.

The media then got up in arms when Simmons appeared at an Essendon vs. Port Adelaide game wearing a Melbourne jumper, before being seen at another AFL match wearing his preferred team’s (Essendon) jumper.

 

 

 

 

 

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My brother for life 🙏🏽😤

A post shared by Ben Simmons (@bensimmons) on Aug 10, 2019 at 1:55am PDT

For many Australians on social media, that just wasn’t good enough.

Resentment truly erupted after a video was posted by Simmons on Instagram where he suggested that Melbourne Crown Security was being racist to members in his group. Simmons and other friends with dark skin were asked for ID and allegedly denied entry, while his Caucasian-looking friend was not asked for ID and simply let in. Crown replied with CCTV footage, stating that Simmons was wearing camouflage pants, which violates their dress code. However, Simmons was apparently allowed in from another side with a different security guard.

This led to Alan Jones commenting, "Go back to America and stay there".

It’s as if now that Simmons has reached the natural progression of fame at an international level, and got the platform to speak on Australian issues, he is suddenly criticised for not being Australian. Is this the price of success in our country?

The problem isn’t simply "tall poppy syndrome", but the treatment of non-white Australian sports people/celebs who speak out, just like Adam Goodes as documented in The Australian Dream. And it’s the privileged men in media thinking they have the right to criticise an outspoken athlete, and instil a racist, backward way of thinking as 'commentary'.

Too many times we hear the phrase "go back to where you came from" and comments like "f*** off we’re full". To hear these words not in the mouths of humble bogans but in the mouths of respected journalists and reporters gives our country a bad reputation. The media is supposed to be made up of the higher thinkers, and serve as the voice of our society, which makes these takes all the worse.

The swift and angry reaction to Simmons isn’t new. We’ve seen this all happen before, in the Australian media’s racist and relentless cutting-down of culturally diverse activists like Adam Goodes and Young Australian of the Year Yassmin Abdel-Magied (who is now out of the country). 

Has this become the Australian way? We say: You’re fine to celebrate a win, but not too much. You’re fine to be one of the highest paid athletes in Australia, but don’t try and make change. Don’t use your influence to point out racism or you will be cut down or told to go back to America. 

While Simmons has copped it from figureheads, his true fans remained behind him. One Melbourne mum, who happily paid the $200 fee for her eight-year-old daughter Ava to attend his local clinic, defended Simmons on Twitter, saying, "I’m forever grateful that he even bothers! He’s provided probably close to 1,000 kids memories they will cherish forever."

Go for it! Here's a pic of her with him, living what she and her mates called 'the best day ever' pic.twitter.com/ZXYGhcrrHb

— Mel Palling (@MelPalling) August 11, 2019

Ben’s family gifted us a ticket and my son has been on a high ever since. So unbelievably grateful. pic.twitter.com/QZZNNzgB9X

— Kelly Exeter (@kellyexeter) August 11, 2019

Simmons also granted free places for 30 eager kids. If he didn’t come back every year and hold clinics, he’d be shunned for being un-Australian, but when he does come back and do his part we criticise him for not being Australian enough?

It should be okay in today’s society to come so far... and still be allowed back home. 

What a sweetheart @BenSimmons25 you wouldn’t know I’m actually older 😂 pic.twitter.com/isSkAPC94A

— Nicole Koumpis (@nickoumpis) August 5, 2019

Header Image: Facebook (Ben Simmons)