The aunt of a nine-year-old boy has shared a heartbreaking video of her nephew’s tearful plea after he was allegedly hit by a barrage of racism while at AFL training.
Shaylee Matthews, wife of Anawain Gamilaroi, shared the video on her LinkedIn account on Friday and said it revealed the “harsh reality” of racism in the country.
Wearing the team’s shirt, his nephew Jarmilles is seen crying in the front seat of his car as he talks about the alleged racial abuse he received during training.
‘I hate when you talk about the color of my skin. I hate when you call me black. I hate when you call me a monkey. It has to stop,” Jarmilles said.
‘I’m sick of this. I don’t want there to be racism. I’m sick of this. It has to end.’
Haylee Matthews shared a heartbreaking video of her nine-year-old nephew Jarmilles crying in the front seat of his car after he was allegedly hit with a barrage of racism while he was training in the AFL.
Asked if he was okay, Jarmilles replied: “No. I want to go home and go to bed now.
Ms Matthews, who works as a public servant for the ACT Government, said the video exposed the racism Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience in society.
‘This post and the videos shared are from my 9 year old soon to be 10 year old nephew’s experience in AFL coaching (playing a game he loves) which highlights the harsh reality of racism that persists in our society especially during National Reconciliation Week (with the theme Now More Than Ever),’ Ms Matthews wrote.
“It is a call to action for all of us to confront privilege, challenge learned racism, and dismantle systemic issues that perpetuate injustice for Indigenous youth.”
“The hurtful comments and behaviors Jarmiles faces not only reflect individual ignorance but also contribute to greater systemic inequalities.”
Ms Matthews called on the public to use Reconciliation Week as an opportunity to combat racism and advocate for change.
“We must advocate for change, demand accountability and ensure that all children, regardless of their background, are treated with dignity and respect,” Ms Matthews wrote.
‘If we show solidarity, raise our voices and actively work for a more just and inclusive society, we can create a future in which all children feel safe, valued and supported.
“Let’s turn this moment of pain into a catalyst for meaningful change and a better tomorrow for all of our children.”
The video recalls other incidents involving racial abuse leveled at indigenous people.
On Friday, retired AFL star Eddie Betts shared CCTV footage of his children being racially abused while playing basketball outside his home.
In the footage, the unidentified occupants of a car can be heard shouting vile insults in the direction of Betts’ home before her children ran inside.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell referenced the vehicle incident in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
The video is reminiscent of images shared by retired AFL star Eddie Betts which showed his children being racially abused while playing basketball at their home.
Mitchell used the conference to denounce racism directed towards players, stating that those who use racial slurs are not welcome at the club.
“I just want to make it clear that if you have any form of racism as a Hawthorn person, we don’t want you as part of our club,” Mitchell said.
“So while we all enjoyed a fantastic victory, and we should all enjoy it, unfortunately some parts of our Hawthorn family can’t enjoy it because of what the heroes on their keyboards think they are capable of doing.
And to any of those who ever wear brown and gold, we don’t want you.
Jarmilles’ tearful plea also mirrored a video of Indigenous Quayden Bayles shared by his mother in 2022.
The video showed Quayden in the back seat of a car extremely distressed following a bullying incident.