Example of toxic culture in photo

A CONTROVERSIAL Mad Monday celebration where two rugby league players dressed in “blackface” has been called an unfortunate symbol of toxic culture running through sporting clubs.

University of Queensland senior research project officer Dr Stephen Townsend said the actions of two Highfields Eagles senior rugby league players was a conscious decision regardless of whether the duo was aware of the offensive history of blackface.

“(Blackface) is explicably and fundamentally a racist expression of white people’s disdain for black people,” he said.

“They would create stories and skits that would portray African-Americans as lazy, or superstitious, or of low intellect, and that transferred to Australia.

“These two who dressed up … they are certainly aware of the current cultural climate, so they would have been painting their skin and putting on these costumes and making a conscious decision.”

Dr Townsend said while the issue surrounding blackface was not necessarily something many people would be aware of, blackface “has a cultural presence here and it is noticeable”.

In 2009, Hey Hey It’s Saturday made headlines when five men performed in blackface as the Jackson 5 for a reunion special.

In 2016, a Perth mum was blasted on social media after dressing her son as his favourite football player, Nic Naitanui, which involved darkening his face.

“There are lots of incidents of blackface at footy clubs for Mad Mondays … a combination of alcohol consumption and pack mentality play a part in that,” Dr Townsend explained.

An avid sportsman himself, Dr Townsend said this was another example of the need for the culture in sporting clubs to change.