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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225829335249
YOUNG Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris has opened up about the racism he faced growing up in Forster and Sydney - and how discrimination remains rife in society today.
"When I was younger and growing up in Forster, I'd go to the shop and they'd kick me out because they thought I was stealing," Idris said. "Even in Sydney, I would get kicked out.
"Racism is still around, it's everywhere. People like to turn a blind eye and say it doesn't exist. I can't turn a blind eye to it because I'm the one copping it."
They are strong words spoken in a soft and gentle manner by a 19-year-old who has impressed each of his Indigenous All Stars teammates and coaches ahead of tomorrow night's historic match against the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park.
Asked if he had experienced racism on the field, Idris replied: "No, not really. But it's there in society. I don't get as much of it as I used to. Now they want me in the shops ...
"There's nothing you can do about it. You take it, I guess. I shouldn't have to. It shouldn't be like that. But that's the way it is.
"I'm not saying that everyone's racist, but there's good and bad in everyone."
This match holds special significance for Idris, who would support teams with the most indigenous players while growing up on missions around Forster on the NSW Mid-North Coast.
Justin Hodges was his hero and Queensland was his team. His father, Jerry, is Nigerian-born, and his indigenous mum, Alana, is the cousin of former NSW halfback John Simon.
The former Steelers halfback will be at the game, along with dozens of Idris's relatives, while Jerry will watch a replay when he returns from a holiday in Africa.
After his boom season last year, in which he was named Dally M rookie of the year, Idris acknowledges he is a success story continuing to unfold - something for others on the missions of Forster to aspire to. But he reveals that in itself brings pressure. There is a burden of expectation from his family that he cannot fail.
"There's a lot of pressure because if I pull out there's a lot of people looking at me - we've got a whole culture on us," Idris said. "If I stopped playing, they might think: 'He cracked under pressure, he pulled out, he's not playing anymore'. There's a lot of pressure to stay in the game and do well.
"It's always in the back of my mind."
To handle the expectation, he speaks regularly with a psychiatrist at the Bulldogs. Still, you sense this is a kid who will be in the game for a long time.
His roommate Wendell Sailor has already said this week that he considers Idris a better athlete than Greg Inglis and Lote Tuqiri.
"I don't know about that ... did he say that?" said Idris, surprised. "It's a big wrap for me. I can't really say that - they've done more things in the game that I could ever dream of doing."
YOUNG Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris has opened up about the racism he faced growing up in Forster and Sydney - and how discrimination remains rife in society today.
"When I was younger and growing up in Forster, I'd go to the shop and they'd kick me out because they thought I was stealing," Idris said. "Even in Sydney, I would get kicked out.
"Racism is still around, it's everywhere. People like to turn a blind eye and say it doesn't exist. I can't turn a blind eye to it because I'm the one copping it."
They are strong words spoken in a soft and gentle manner by a 19-year-old who has impressed each of his Indigenous All Stars teammates and coaches ahead of tomorrow night's historic match against the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park.
Asked if he had experienced racism on the field, Idris replied: "No, not really. But it's there in society. I don't get as much of it as I used to. Now they want me in the shops ...
"There's nothing you can do about it. You take it, I guess. I shouldn't have to. It shouldn't be like that. But that's the way it is.
"I'm not saying that everyone's racist, but there's good and bad in everyone."
This match holds special significance for Idris, who would support teams with the most indigenous players while growing up on missions around Forster on the NSW Mid-North Coast.
Justin Hodges was his hero and Queensland was his team. His father, Jerry, is Nigerian-born, and his indigenous mum, Alana, is the cousin of former NSW halfback John Simon.
The former Steelers halfback will be at the game, along with dozens of Idris's relatives, while Jerry will watch a replay when he returns from a holiday in Africa.
After his boom season last year, in which he was named Dally M rookie of the year, Idris acknowledges he is a success story continuing to unfold - something for others on the missions of Forster to aspire to. But he reveals that in itself brings pressure. There is a burden of expectation from his family that he cannot fail.
"There's a lot of pressure because if I pull out there's a lot of people looking at me - we've got a whole culture on us," Idris said. "If I stopped playing, they might think: 'He cracked under pressure, he pulled out, he's not playing anymore'. There's a lot of pressure to stay in the game and do well.
"It's always in the back of my mind."
To handle the expectation, he speaks regularly with a psychiatrist at the Bulldogs. Still, you sense this is a kid who will be in the game for a long time.
His roommate Wendell Sailor has already said this week that he considers Idris a better athlete than Greg Inglis and Lote Tuqiri.
"I don't know about that ... did he say that?" said Idris, surprised. "It's a big wrap for me. I can't really say that - they've done more things in the game that I could ever dream of doing."
