Mitch Tambo was disturbed and disheartened by the recent brutal treatment of an Aboriginal teenager saying that the way this young person was treated strengthens the dominant narrative that minorities and people of colour are constantly at the mercy of the authorities.
He was so much disturbed by the incident that he penned an opinion piece last week that’s been widely circulating on social media.
Commenting on this piece with NITV Radio Mitch Tambo said that while he does not condone the foul language used by the teenager, he believes that the officer who swept the juvenile to the ground exerted a complete abuse of power.
“Police officers are generally well trained to de-escalate and diffuse situations and are certainly capable of dealing with situations that are above and beyond a mouthy teenager,” Mitch Tambo said.
He was in total disbelief that such an incident could take place in the backdrop of anti-racism protests sparked by the death of African American man George Floyd while in custody.
“This is a time when the whole world is protesting against injustices, meanwhile there is still the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people, deaths in custody and constant mistreatment in our own country,” Mitch Tambo wrote.
“Australian society has been conditioned since the invasion of the Western settlers. Every time they hear statistics, read about someone like George Floyd, this young person, or see hateful comments on social media this perception is reinforced.”
Earlier this year Mitch Tambo released a song called Love, well before all the racial tensions and protests now engulfing many parts of the world.
The song Love conveys a message of love, unity and acceptance, no matter what race, gender or religion you are.
