Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has responded to the criticism he received for selling his brand of clothing with the Aboriginal flag on it.
Franklin launched his streetwear clothing line, Buddy Franklin Authentic, in 2018 and started to sell t-shirts with the Aboriginal flag manufactured through WAM.
The company holds the exclusive worldwide licence to use the flag on its clothing after a deal was made with Aboriginal man Harold Thomas, who designed the flag in 1971.
Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympic gold medallist, Nova Peris, said it was a ‘kick in the guts’ the Sydney Swans star was marketing t-shirts manufactured by WAM Clothing.
The AFL superstar released a statement on the Buddy Franklin Authentic Instagram account on Tuesday where he said he was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the criticism he had received.
He also said he will cease orders and sales of any merchandise bearing the Aboriginal flag until the licensing issue is resolved.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin (pictured with his wife Jesinta) was swept up in controversy after he was slammed for selling clothing with the Aboriginal flag on it
Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympic gold medallist, Nova Peris (pictured), criticised the Sydney Swans star for selling the t-shirts which are manufactured by WAM Clothing
‘I have been deeply disturbed by comments targeting me about the use of the Aboriginal flag on T-shirts we produced through the only licensed and legal avenue, being through WAM clothing, and in doing so, with full and due respect to the artist, Harold Thomas,’ Franklin said in his statement following Peris’ criticism.
‘Our intention was to produce the T-shirt, as an expression of my cultural pride and to encourage Australians of all backgrounds to wear our flag, that is an official flag of our country, with pride.
‘It was never, our intention to disrespect others in Aboriginal communities, and as a result of this issue, we will not be seeking to order or sell any further T-shirts or merchandise until the matter of our flag being made freely available is resolved for the good of our people, and our country.’
A spokesperson for Franklin said it was a sensitive topic but he is proud of his heritage and his intention behind the use of the Aboriginal flag was to represent his people.
Franklin released a statement on the Buddy Franklin Authentic Instagram account on Tuesday where he said he was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the criticism he had received
He also said he will cease orders and sales of any merchandise bearing the Aboriginal flag until the licensing issue is resolved
Peris, who is also a former senator, is part of the ‘free the flag’ campaign which is fighting to stop WAM from profiting from the use of the Aboriginal flag.
WAM Clothing has previously issued cease and desist letters to Indigenous people who have tried using the flag on clothing.
Peris said she was disappointed in Franklin, who is also Indigenous, as he has undone all her work ‘hard work’ over the past 18 months.
‘I’ve never met [Franklin]. But this is why we’re upset,’ Peris told The Age.
‘That’s what we’re angry about. If you want to be a leader for our mob, then do right by our mob.
‘It was Aboriginal people that gave rise to the flag. We gave it the value. That’s why we’re angry at WAM, who’s profiting off the value of that flag.’
A spokesperson for Franklin said it was a sensitive topic but he is proud of his heritage and his intention behind the use of the Aboriginal flag was to represent his people
Franklin strained his hamstring in training on Wednesday and will likely be unavailable for the Swans until August
Peris said when she sees a non-Indigenous person wearing the Aboriginal flag it means they acknowledge the history of her people.
But she believes WAM is telling people they have to pay to make that statement and is profiting off the achievements of Indigenous Australians.
Franklin’s wife, Jesinta, was pictured showing support for her husband on Tuesday morning, wearing a baseball cap from the streetwear line on the way to a business meeting.
Last week Franklin spoke out in support of incarcerated Indigenous Australians in light of the George Floyd racism conversation.
He uploaded a six-part Instagram post on Wednesday in honour of all victims of racial crime and prejudice.
His biggest fan! Jesinta Franklin wore a baseball cap from her husband Buddy’s streetwear line as she headed to a business meeting in Sydney on Monday
Franklin posted to Instagram with an artwork (pictured) by Gamilaroi/Ularoi artist Lakkari Pitt reading ‘support us when it’s not trending’
‘Justice for all. What’s happening in the US is happening on our own soil and all around the world,’ he posted.
‘Thoughts and prayers are with George Floyd’s family and all affected by this tragedy and the tragedies before his murder.’
The 33-year-old’s post included an artwork from Gamilaroi/Ularoi artist Lakkari Pitt from Walgett in north-west NSW which reads ‘support us when it’s not trending’.
An image of a protester in America with a sign reading ‘Justice for George Floyd’ was included, along with a collage of victims in a Black Lives Matter artwork and a tribute to Dunghutti man David Dungay Jr.
The 26-year-old died in hospital at Sydney’s Long Bay Jail in 2015 after being restrained face down by officers while screaming ‘I can’t breathe’.
Franklin gave tribute to Dunghutti man David Dungay Jr, who died in hospital at Sydney’s Long Bay Jail in 2015 after being restrained face down by officers while screaming ‘I can’t breathe’