EVA JO Edwards is a proud indigenous woman who says little has changed since she faced racist taunts in the schoolyard 40 years ago.
The Lalor resident (pictured) said one of her children was refused entry at a Melbourne club this year with bouncers telling her it was “because she is black”.
A new survey of 755 Aboriginals in four municipalities, including Whittlesea, has revealed 97 per cent experienced racism in the past year, and many had experienced racism numerous times.
The survey, conducted by VicHealth, the Lowitja Institute, federal Immigration and Citizenship Department, Melbourne University and beyondblue, showed 84 per cent of Aboriginals had been sworn at or verbally abused at some time in their life, 67 per cent had been spat on or had something thrown at them and 66 per cent had been told they did not belong because of their race.
Ms Edwards was “sadly” not surprised at the findings. “I’m 49 and things that happened when I was at school – where I was ostracised and called horrible names because I was black – are still happening,” she said.
Ms Edwards is a stolen generation child. She hopes to change racist values by speaking to new police recruits and working as a member of the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group.
