Heartbreaking moment Aboriginal boy Jarmilles breaks down after enduring racist abuse at the hands of bullies in footage that will make every Aussie mad

The aunty of a nine-year-old boy has shared a heartbreaking video of her nephew’s tearful plea after he was allegedly hit with a barrage of racism while at AFL training. 

Anawain Gamilaroi woman Shaylee Matthews shared the video to her LinkedIn account on Friday, saying it revealed the ‘harsh reality’ of racism in the country. 

Wearing his team jersey, her nephew Jarmilles is seen crying in the front seat of her car while talking about the alleged racial abuse hurled at him during training.  

‘I hate it when you talk about the colour of my skin. I hate it when you call me black. I hate when you call me monkey. It’s got to stop,’ Jarmilles said.

‘I’m sick of this. I don’t want there to be racism. I’m sick of it. It needs to be over.’

When asked if he was okay, Jarmilles replied: ‘No. I want to go home and go to bed now.’ 

Ms Matthews, who works as a public servant for the ACT government, said the video exposed racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in society.  

‘This post and videos shared is of my 9 soon to be 10year 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),’ Ms Matthews wrote. 

‘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 hurtful comments and behaviours faced by Jarmiles not only reflect individual ignorance but also contribute to larger systemic inequalities.’

Ms Matthews called for the public to use Reconciliation Week as an opportunity to combat racism and advocate for change. 

‘We must advocate for change, demand accountability, and ensure that all children, regardless of their background, are treated with dignity and respect,’ Ms Matthews wrote. 

‘By standing in solidarity, raising our voices, and actively working towards a more just and inclusive society, we can create a future where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.

‘Let’s turn this moment of pain into a catalyst for meaningful change and a brighter tomorrow for all our children.’

The video is reminiscent of other incidents involving racial abuse hurled at Indigenous people. 

On Friday, retired AFL star Eddie Betts shared CCTV footage of his children being racially abused while playing basketball outside their home. 

In the footage, the unidentified occupants of a car can be heard yelling vile abuse in the direction of Betts’ home before his children run inside. 

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell referenced the drive-by incident in his post-game press conference on Saturday. 

The video is reminiscent of footage shared by retired AFL star Eddie Betts, which showed his children being racially abused while playing basketball at their home

Mitchell used the conference to call out racism directed toward players, claiming those who use racial slurs are not welcome at the club. 

‘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.’

Jarmilles’ tearful plea also mirrored a video of Indigenous Quayden Bayles shared by his mum in 2022.  

The video showed Quayden in the backseat of a car extremely distressed following a bullying incident.