A British backpacker working in Australia has said racism is a huge problem across the country.
Archie Hawkins spent almost a year traveling across the country, but was shocked by the racism towards indigenous people.
“Racism in Australia is a huge problem,” he said in a video posted on social media last week.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat this, but when you come to Australia, you hear a lot of bad things about indigenous and Aboriginal people.”
Hawkins said these racist views were completely erased once he began working alongside Aboriginal people.
“I’ve gotten to work with a few of them recently and they’re honestly some of the kindest, most supportive people I’ve ever met in my life,” he said.
‘Every time you see them, they are very positive, very happy. They are very good people to be with.
‘So don’t judge people by the opinion that others have of them. You will no doubt hear a lot of racism when you come to Australia. I don’t think it’s talked about enough.
British backpacker Archie Hawkins (pictured) said Australia has a big racism problem.
Many agreed with the young man’s opinions.
‘It is their country, their home for hundreds of years before us! Good people! “They are a national treasure for Australia.”
Another added: “I completely agree.” I was shocked by the level of racism in Oz. Very sad.’
A third said: “It’s so sad that someone loves to travel.” Australia is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, especially because I have family there, but the stories you hear about racism put me off.’
