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Mansell slams Mundine as racist

By Tracker, October 19, 2012

Aboriginal boxer Anthony Mundine.

BOXING: Tasmanian Aboriginal leader Michael Mansell has told “racist” boxer Anthony Mundine to stay away from the island state until he apologises for comments about its Indigenous people.

Mr Mansell has slammed remarks Mundine made about fellow Aboriginal boxer Daniel Geale as “ugly and racist, and an embarrassment to Aboriginal people everywhere”.

At a media conference on Thursday to promote a January bout, Mundine said he thought that “they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out”.

Geale had “a white woman and white kids”, and he didn’t see him representing or fighting for black or coloured people, Mundine said.

Mr Mansell accused Mundine of a form of “genocide” and compared him to right-wing commentator Andrew Bolt.

“Racist comments such as those made by Anthony Mundine have no place in Australia,” Mr Mansell said in a statement.

“Mr Mundine must be relying on history books written by whites 100 years ago to form his opinion.”

Mr Mansell said a myth about the extinction of Tasmania’s Indigenous people had been perpetuated in the past.

“The making of such a statement is racial vilification identical to the Andrew Bolt claim that fair-skinned Aborigines were not bona fide,” he said.

“Bolt was held to have breached racial vilification laws with his comments.

“Racist comments are no less racist because they are made by an Aboriginal against other Aboriginals.”

Mr Mansell said Mundine was guilty of “genocide” because he had denied the existence of an entire race.

“Denying the existence of a people on the grounds of colour of skin is to rely on racist theories of racial purity to define identity in an attempt to erase the existence of a race,” he said.

“They ignore the struggle Aborigines in Tasmania have had to overcome including dispossession, shootings and massacres, imprisonment and isolation; child stealing and assimilation.”

Mr Mansell said Tasmanian Aborigines had withdrawn permission for the boxer to visit the state.

“Mundine has lost respect from Aboriginals in Tasmania and around the country,” Mr Mansell said.

“That a high-profile Aboriginal would make such ignorant and ugly statements about Tasmanian Aboriginals is downright embarrassing.

“Mundine must apologise. Until he does, he does not have our permission to enter our country in Tasmania.”

Comment was being sought from Mundine.

AAP

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5 Comments

  1. Joe A
    Posted October 19, 2012 at 2:52 pm | Permalink

    I hope Anthony is acountable to his elders and own family for making those comments in a forum such as that.
    Sorry Brother but this time it went to far!!

    Reply Report comment
  2. Tania
    Posted October 19, 2012 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    The last time I seen anthony’s mother she was white, said with all respect to her and his his father. Wonder how they are feeling about his comments

    Reply Report comment
  3. Just saying
    Posted October 19, 2012 at 10:20 pm | Permalink

    Hey there, I’m not of Aboriginal descent, nor am I of Anglo/Australian descent, but I am ‘white’ and as much as I agree with the spirit and message of your article, I almost ‘get’ WHY Mr Mundine says the things he says, it’s out of frustration with history and with the system. I get that. It’s just a shame he doesn’t know how to express himself with the right words so-to-speak. I’m of European descent and though I migrated here as a child, and I have blonde hair and blue eyes, I still remember the clear racism that I was subjected to and not just by the children but also by teachers and other Anglo-Saxon people, and it’s scared me for life, to this day I’m still self-conscious. I feel sorry for Mr Mundine, he must be so frustrated with himself. But as you correctly point out in the article, there is no place for such comments and when someone rises in the world and becomes a de facto representative of a certain race, of a certain country and from a certain culture, they must always look to uphold themselves to the highest standards otherwise they tarnish the very communities they seek to defend, support and help. I’m sorry this has happened on such a large ‘stage’ because I have known a number of Aboriginal people, (in fact I became fascinated by their art back in high school when I got a book from the library called “The Dreaming”, and that was followed by an interest in their history) and I have not known any of them to be racist or discriminatory, generally they respect those who respect them. Don’t worry I doubt too many people will now label the whole Aboriginal communities as racist, backward etc., etc., most people realize that it’s just one person and that he cannot speak for all. I’m sorry the media has made such a big thing of it too, I don’t even follow any sport and I find it plastered all over the news, I sure wish the media found something else to do sometimes. Besides, there have been, and sadly will continue to be, people who have spoken and behaved in very cruel ways towards our Aboriginal people so I guess, on a lighter note, it’s a bit of Karma, a bit like a giant cosmic-back-hander to the descendants of some of those who created so much pain and anger in the community. Stand proud, as a nation you have every right to. Cheers to all from Melbourne, where everyone is racist :)

    Reply Report comment
  4. craig hall
    Posted January 9, 2013 at 7:24 pm | Permalink

    How can mundine say there should be a “cut off point ” to the aboriginal descent issue..?? look how white skinned he is???.. He is not full blooded at all… compare a full blood to him and he looks very pale..???
    Mundine wake up you not full blood bro… The only dreamtime you showing is your deluded believe your are a full blood.. man you need some sun and education, to me you equal white and black… half half… if anything i would say you a white man….????

    Reply Report comment
  5. craig hall
    Posted January 9, 2013 at 7:33 pm | Permalink

    Man, anthony mundine you could have had the whole Australian continent behind you if you chose your words correctly. Honestly i can tell you the whole country, black, white etc wants to see you get smashed????. Fight some real fighters,, step up up to a heavy weight,you scared???????. go mma bro. Your the best athlete in the world right????????….. Ive seen you in the flesh and you dont look anything like full blood..You need mental and spiritual help man…

    Reply Report comment

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