Why Tony Armstrong isn’t ‘shocked’ by Eddie Betts racism video

ABC presenter Tony Armstrong has responded to a video of racist abuse being hurled at AFL great Eddie Betts’ children as they played outside.

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.

AFL great Eddie Betts shared the footage of a driver yelling racial abuse at his children. Picture: Supplied

Eddie Betts shared the shock footage on social media. Picture: Supplied/ Phoebe Van Min

“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.”

Tony Armstrong said he wasn’t shocked by the incident. Picture: Supplied/ABC.

Armstrong said Aboriginal people were often the victims of racial slurs in everyday life. Picture: Supplied/ABC

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 white sedan can be seen slowly driving past his house. Picture: Supplied

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 Bridget McKenzie condemned the incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

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 condemning 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.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan slammed the incident as “sickening” and “disgusting”.

“There’s no place for this sort of sick behaviour in Victoria,” she said.

“Let kids be kids. Let kids play in their own backyard … and leave them alone.

“I can’t fathom what would go through someone’s mind that they would pull up alongside kids playing basketball in their own backyard and deliver that sort of sick racial abuse.

“I can’t understand that. I think many Victorians would be disgusted by this behaviour.”

Ms Allan urged Victorians to call out racial behaviour.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has called out the racial attack on Eddie Betts’ children playing in their yard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

”It is so not OK,” she said.

Ms Allan said her thoughts were with the Betts’ family.

“We send a lot of love and thoughts to Eddie and his family at what is a pretty tough time,” she said.

“He’s talked a lot about his own personal experience with racism and he’s been a strong and proud Indigenous man,”

“It must be pretty painful to see his kids to go through that.”

Originally published as Why Tony Armstrong isn’t ‘shocked’ by Eddie Betts racism video