Who’s the major sponsor of the Wallabies? And who’s their CEO, and what ‘rights movement’ are they known to be heavily involved in as a result?
Folau knows this, he’s been spoken to at length about it previously; he can say whatever he likes, but he has NO right to jeopardise the organisation’s standing with their major sponsor because he can’t toe the line and keep his abhorrent views off a public forum. Bottom line is - if the ARU keep him on the books, they risk Qantas pulling their sponsorship every time he opens his undereducated trap on social media. I know who I’d be bending over backwards to appease if I were running the ARU.
And that’s before you take into account any of the social responsibilities the organisation has with regard to its player and fan base.
Folau has the platform and reach he has, to vilify and insult the sheer numbers of people he’s able to, purely because of sport. He’s been told what not to do, he’s continued to do it, they have every right to discontinue their association with him.
Think about this: would you be ok with Folau castigating Indigenous Australians/Asians/Greeks/insert whatever race you like - in the same manner?
And - would you be ok with Dylan Walker pulling the hair of your wife/mum/sister/daughter/niece, hard enough to bring her to the ground, while she’s holding a tiny infant? Hell, I wouldn’t be ok with him doing it to my dad, or my (physically imposing, male) partner!
Please stop trying to minimise domestic violence - it’s offensive and belittling to those who have been through it. Hair pulling is in some ways worse than just being given a black eye - other people can see that, and sympathise with it. Having your hair yanked, and basically being swung around by it - your scalp is sore and tender for days afterwards. And it’s just as scary as having a punch thrown at you, while the incident is happening - you don’t know what’s coming next, you don’t know what they’re trying to achieve by physically controlling you by your hair - is the next move going to be slamming you to the ground, ramming your head into something, holding your head where they want it so they can punch, bite, or head butt you? Yeah, I’ve been there - and it’s really starting to grind my gears hearing ‘he just pulled her hair’ being trotted out as if it’s some sort of mitigation for Walker. It’s got all the same elements of control and humiliation as any other act of DV.
In no way did, or would I diminish DV
@yokahontas . What I'm talking about is perspective. I'm very sorry and apologetic you went through that on a personal level, but you are talking from a standpoint (which has validation) from experience, and after the behaviours escalated in your situation.
I've personally gone through a similar situation as a child / entering teens (strangled to the point of passing out by my father with electrical chords, pets shot in front of me as lessons, frequent bashings weekly to the extent I was almost dead, and left bleeding out in a gutter to die), etc etc etc: so I get it. I was actually removed from him, and was raised by my Aunt, and then an Uncle that used to occasionally get physical with me. It wasn't all roses for myself either, so to say "it’s offensive and belittling to those who have been through it", in itself is offensive to me as a man, and a person with feelings.
Then attempting to explain to me the differences or similarities between varying levels. Trust me, I know and have experienced those various levels yokahontas, but I in no way want this to diminish your situation, and life experiences either, because what happened to you wasn't right, was unfair, and just plain wrong.
Your connotation (in my opinion) that domestic violence only happens to women is both biased and unfair. It can happen to anyone. To have my hair pulled when I was in a fit of rage publicly, as upposed to knocked unconscious by my father with facial structural damage - I KNOW what I'd prefer. Jesus, I used to lay his belt out on his bed for him after school, so that when he got home, got on the turps, it was easy access for him.
Therefore, no, I think people are making a mountain out of a molehill over a young mans religious opinions in Falou. I don't think Dylan Walker should be sacked for making one mistake and pulling his wife's hair (which I think is a terrible thing to do to his wife). I think he needs help, is probably getting it, and should have an opportunity for redemption (so he DOESN'T end up like my old man). The reasons I say that are also more FOR his child and wife, and so they can live comfortably on the salary he earns.
Wow, what a heavy convo. Hope I've not offended you here. Again, I'm so sorry you went through that. It's messed up. I absolutely respect and appreciate you putting into words what happened. Looks like you've come out the other side, a strong, independent, and obviously intelligent person, so kudos to you Yoke.
