Vunipola’s view can’t be a shock to England
THERE is a film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert that pretty much sums up our rosy take on minorities. three drag queens head off on a tour of the Australian outback, encountering bigotry, homophobia and transphobia as they go. that is, of course, until they meet an Aborigine community, where they are welcomed and understood. You see, the Aborigines have experienced prejudice, too. they see through the painted exteriors, and recognise the humanity within. Not at all like the real world then. the world in which Muslim parents are appalled that homosexuality remains part of sex-education classes and, in 2013, over half the gay Jamaicans responding to a national survey said they had been the victims of homophobic violence. Perhaps this is why english society is so troubled by Billy Vunipola. We want the benefits of those with a Pacific Island heritage, because they have physical characteristics that are made for modern rugby; we just don’t want them to think or feel like Pacific Islanders, because that offends our sensibilities. that way we can keep our new colonialism palatable. Israel Folau, born in New south Wales to tongan parents, said some offensively unpleasant things about homosexuals going to hell. His view may be archaic and wrong, but these are not entirely uncommon beliefs among religious fundamentalists of various faiths. As he will not desist from speaking out, however, it may cost Folau his career. Vunipola, whose tongan mother is also a Methodist minister, expressed his support, and has placed his career in jeopardy, too. Channel 4 have dropped him from promotional duties, and he will be summoned for questioning by the RFU. strange that Vunipola’s reactionary prejudices appear to have taken his employers by surprise. Who would have imagined a player with Pacific Island blood might hold views consistent with aspects of Christianity practised in those territories? Why couldn’t Vunipola just be built like them, but think like us? there’s a good boy. Now, it could be argued that as Vunipola has lived his life in the west he should by now have embraced the progressive virtues of tolerance. Yet beliefs are a choice; culture is a choice. Just as it was our choice to adopt an Australian, with Pacific Island heritage, and put him in an england shirt. And now we vilify him because he’s not like us?