ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has reacted to the video of Eddie Betts’ children being subjected to vile racist abuse, saying similar incidents are a common occurrence for Aboriginal people.
On Thursday, video of a driver hurling racist abuse at Betts’ children outside their home was condemned as “disgusting” after the Indigenous former AFL star shared a clip of the incident on social media.
In the footage a white sedan slowly pulls past Betts’ house as four boys play basketball in their front yard.
The male driver can be heard screaming a slur four times.
“Aboriginal kids deserve to be able to play safely, free from racism and abuse over the fence,” Betts wrote.
“We are not even safe in our own homes. If you know who this is please let me (sic) them know that I’m open to having a chat about how much this hurts our kids.”
The incident prompted a swift reaction, with many labelling the moment “sickening”.
Addressing the video on ABC Breakfast on Friday, Armstrong said he was taken aback by the reaction because people weren’t aware how common it was for Aboriginal people to be subjected to racist abuse.
“We talk about shock, horror, all this sort of stuff. I’m not shocked,” Mr Armstrong said.
“I’m not shocked that it’s happening.
“I’m more disappointed that people think that this doesn’t happen and this is out of the blue.”
He said much like people of all cultures were regularly subjected to abuse on social media, Aboriginal people were the victims of racial slurs in everyday life.
“As a black person in this country you walk out the door and you know anything could happen based on the colour of your skin, based on who you are as an Aboriginal person,” Armstrong said.
“But this is in the home, over the fence, you saw the reaction of the kids, running inside. You’re telling me they’re not going to have PTSD.”
The Western Bulldogs responded to Betts’ post saying; “Disgraceful. Sending love Eddie”.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie condemned it as “abhorrent, disgusting, disturbing.”
“I can’t imagine how that must have felt for those for those kids,” she said on the Today show on Friday morning.
“As much as Eddie says he’d like to know who this is, so he can have a chat to them … I don’t think they’d be open to that and I think unfortunately they may well thrive off some of the notoriety.
“I can only hope for the Betts family, that the outpouring of support and the fact that this is being publicly called out by pretty much everybody else, gives them some sense that we don’t all hate them.”
Senator McKenzie said it was appalling to see we still have people with racist views living among us and it was the responsibility of every Australian to stamp it out.
“It’s a timely reminder that it’s not just famous people like Eddie, who are subjected to racial vilification,” she said.
“It’s everyday Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, our Jewish community and all of us have a responsibility to call it out, stand up for it.”
The AFL has also responded condenmning the attack and praising praised Betts for drawing attention to the issue.
“Once again, we find ourselves in a position where we must express our strongest condemnation against another example of overt racism, this time targeting children playing sport in their own front yard,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and inclusion manager Tanya Hosch said in a statement.
“We acknowledge the leadership of Eddie Betts for bringing this to national attention.
“Racism is wrong. Racism is harmful. Racism requires a response.
“The AFL takes this opportunity to remind everyone at all levels of the game, that racist behaviour is never welcome. Anywhere.
“We invite everyone to follow Eddie’s example in calling out racism when you hear, read or see it. We invite everyone to report racism wherever possible.”
They said the AFL “express our love and best wishes for healing, for the children and families who were subject to the racist abuse shared in the video last night.”
