WARNING: This post contains language and images that may offended readers
Just when you thought that white people stopped depicting deeply offensive portrayals people of colour back in the 1940s, yesterday Australia was faced with the very real reality of racial prejudice through cosplay.
Australian rugby player, Fabian Natoli, 22, uploaded a photo, which has since been removed from his Instagram account, showing himself with a red piece of cloth around his waist, covered in red and white paint while clutching a jerry can.
His caption read, "Every now and again you just need to culturally enrich yourself and get in touch with the dreamtime #nookstock."
Fabian Natoli's recent Instagram post (Instagram) Source: Instagram
A screenshot of the photo was shared by musician Thelma Plum, a Kamilaroi woman, to her 30,000 followers labeling him "dead shit of the day".
Natoli commented on Plum's post saying that he has apologised for his actions and that the post was just a joke and that there was, "No racism intended".
Further research into Natoli's public account - which has since closed to private - found more racist activity, with a photo of an unsuspecting Aboriginal family with a caption that implied they are thieves. Other photos where in his feed contain captions that used racial slurs like "A**" and "N*****". Natoli is yet to comment on these other several posts.
A screenshot of a comment from Fabian Natoli's Instagram account (Image: Instagram) Source: Instagram
Natoli was slammed online and in particular, by many Indigenous influentials. Rapper, Briggs, creator of the successful Cleverman sci-fi series, Ryan Griffen and even acting legend, Ernie Dingo were just some of the personalities who condemned the young man and his behaviour on social media.
It became widely known that Natoli played rugby union for Sydney's Manly Marlins club to which they have released this statement by the Board of Directors,
The club says, "The MRFC has always had strong and positive relations with our Indigenous [sic] community, both locally and around the country". They announced that they will ensure that their players of the next 2017 season are aware of their inclusive codes of conduct.
Natoli signed to french club, Bordeaux Begles in 2014. The club are yet to make a statement.
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