It’s a tense time right now that’s for sure, and on the back of #BlackoutTuesday last week, triple j has responded to a huge Gen Fricker racism call out last week.
You might have missed this one as Fricker posted just before the long weekend for most of the country. But in a six-minute video published on her Instagram account, the amazing Fricker absolutely tore triple j apart – going as far as saying that those who work at triple j, and are white, are “part of the problem”.
“The difference between not being racist and being anti-racist, is calling out that shit,” she said.
“I don’t think you realise how fucking lonely it was, to be one of two black people having to explain why a white woman singing in language – with no black people – was a bit problematic.”
She left nothing in the tank either, really going hard at the wider triple j management team after the #BlackoutTuesday trend.
“It would be really great if any of these people posting black tiles literally did anything like that day-to-day,”
“Post a fucking picture of the management team at triple j.. and tell me that comes from a real place.”
According to Gen Fricker some are at Triple JJJ.
— Kamila (@Splodge_Humbug) June 9, 2020
She also called out the Surry Hills police department, after a cop from the same station was filmed aggressively arresting an indigenous teenager last week.
“He (her half brother) moved here, when he was 14 from New Zealand, got picked up by the Surry Hills police, beaten the shit out of regularly on a weekly basis,” she said
“(He) decided he was better of in New Zealand, got into crimes and and gangs and shit, and got murdered, and the cops didn’t do shit,”
And in a statement to Radio Today, the radio station said that “racism is not acceptable at triple j or the ABC”, but that they “can always do better.”
“Triple j is proud of the diversity of our people, on-air and behind the scenes, and the ways in which we amplify diverse voices, music and issues on our airwaves,” a spokesperson told Radio Today.
“We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness but know we can always do better for our people and our audience. Like many media organisations, we are listening to and reflecting on the current conversation and our place within it.”
The radio station said it was looking at ways to engage with current and former staff on how they can improve all parts of the organisation.
“We know we have huge opportunities to play a part in change and we’re committed to working harder and doing more.”
Either way, I’ve got a feeling this might now be the first we hear from former triple j staffers and guests. Especially after Carly Findlay OAM commented on Gen’s post, saying she was never comfortable as a guest on the station – and was once told by a white male presenter that her face would be good at Halloween. Digusting.
You can watch Gen’s full video below.
View this post on Instagram
Posting this cos my mama said she was proud of me.
Image Source: Gen Fricker Facebook Page
