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Years ago, I literally heard a guy call out homophobic stuff at the footy. I tweeted about it. I did a radio interview about it. Someone rang up and said they were sitting with the guy and he didn't say it.
People said I should have rung the complaints line, or called security down. You know what happens when you call security down as a rule when you're a spectator? Security just stand there for a bit.
They "give the benefit of the doubt", and other people might be "oh I didn't hear anything 
" and "oh I didn't mean it like that." It is frustrating and demoralising and hurtful.
" and "oh I didn't mean it like that." It is frustrating and demoralising and hurtful.
You know, I got an apology from the football club after this happened. And they improved advertising of the complaints line, so you could text a location and not make yourself a target.
So yeah, I am going to believe a player when they hear racism, when they call out racism. And I am sorry that people of colour are having to witness the absolute bullshit circle jerk that comes with racism being discussed in this country, and around sport.
I feel for the athletes, I feel for sports fans who just want to go watch a team play, and don't want to have to hear racism, homophobia, or both.
Because the COST of calling something out adds to the hurt of hearing the slurs in the first place. It opens you to more abuse. I got called a lot of homophobic names, I received a fair bit of abuse of exactly the type I was calling out. And I knew it was coming. Siraj knew too.
Any marginalised person has to weigh up their well-being, their safety, their mental health, their resources, the impact on their community when they call out bigotry.
Just. Fucking believe people when they say they experience racism. Believe them.
