Video of boy’s tears shows ‘harsh reality’ of racism

The aunty of a nine-year-old boy has shared a devastating video of her nephew’s tearful plea after allegedly suffering abuse while playing the game he loves.

The video was shared by the boy’s aunty.

A heartbreaking video has been shared of a young Indigenous boy crying over alleged racism he experienced at Aussie rules training.

It shows nine-year-old Jarmilles in tears as he talks about the alleged slurs he faces, while sitting in a car still wearing his club guernsey.

“I hate when you call me black. I hate when you call me monkey,” he says.

“I’m sick of it. It needs to be over.”

The boy’s aunty, public servant Shaylee Matthews, posted the video on her LinkedIn account on Friday and said it revealed the “harsh reality” of racism in society.

“This post and videos shared is of my 9 soon to be 10 year old nephew’s experience at AFL training (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 being Now More Than Ever),” she said.

“It’s a call to action for us all to confront privilege, challenge learned racism, and dismantle the systemic issues that perpetuate injustice for Indigenous youth.”

The boy said he was sick of the alleged comments.

His aunty has called for people to stand up for change.

Ms Matthews said all children should be treated with dignity and respect.

“Let’s turn this moment of pain into a catalyst for meaningful change and a brighter tomorrow for all our children,” she said.

On Saturday, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell started his post-game press conference by calling out racism directed toward players at the club.

An emotional Sam Mitchell opened his press conference with this after one of Hawthorn’s players was vilified in a racial social media post today.

"Any one of those who ever wears brown and gold, we don't want you." @FOXFOOTYpic.twitter.com/g8OQbrMFm2

— David Zita (@DavidZita1) June 1, 2024

An emotional Mitchell referenced a recent post by retired star Eddie Betts, who shared footage of his children being racially abused outside their own home.

“I just want to put it out there that if you have any form or racism in you as a Hawthorn person, we don’t want you as part of our club,” Mitchell said.

“So while we’re all enjoying a fantastic win, and we should all be enjoying it, unfortunately some parts of our Hawthorn family can’t enjoy it because of what heroes on their keyboards think that they're capable of doing,

“And any one of those who ever wears brown and gold, we don’t want you.”

The video of Jarmilles is reminiscent of a 2022 clip of Indigenous boy Quayden Bayles, which captured the nation’s attention after being shared by his mother.

Originally published as Video of boy’s tears shows ‘harsh reality’ of racism