A call to reimagine the AFL in the wake of more reports of racism
Once again, the Australian Football League faces a string of reports of racism against its players – with chief executive Gillon McLachlan telling the media, “this has to stop”.
The AFL’s executive general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch – speaking on ABC Radio Adelaide – said while strides have been made in addressing racism within the industry, there is much work to do.
“It reminds me, that this is constant and it’s happening everywhere, if it’s happening in footy, it’s happening in the rest of society,” she said. “Hopefully, we will see it curb over time, but racism has always been with us – I’m not sure we’ll ever fully eradicate it.”
The AFL says it’s investigating recent reports of racism.
But do we need to rethink our approach to addressing racism within institutions that continue to perpetuate it?
The Wire speaks to Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk creative and writer and former professional athlete Ben Abbotangelo about this.