Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following article contains images of deceased persons.
A former Miss Australia has defended herself on Facebook, after a trailer for a TV series included quotes from the beauty queen that were deemed racist by many viewers.
Renae Ayris, who placed 4th in the Miss Universe contest in 2012, is one of five Australia celebrities to appear on a new season of First Contact. This is a controversial Blackfella Films-produced miniseries that begins Nov 29, in which Australians with little knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures challenge their perceptions and prejudice.
Or not -- results vary.
While it's not yet known how Ayris' views are challenged by the program, the ones she spouts in the preview were enough to offend plenty of people, compelling Ayris to then defend her comments.
"I know a lot of Aboriginal people believe they're owed something, but I just feel like everyone should be treated equally," she said in the teaser video. "They kind of need to forgive whatever they think has happened, and move on, and just try and be equal with everyone."
For viewers with an understanding of past and present atrocities, as well as the abject racism faced by Indigenous people in Australia, the comments were hurtful. And in some cases, infuriating.
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Ayris responded by calling the reaction to the teaser "abuse" and "disgusting."
"It took a lot of courage for me to decide to do this show," she wrote on Facebook. "I was nervous about doing it purely because of how little I knew about Aboriginal people and their culture … The whole reason for me doing the show was to change this and to learn."
Ayris didn't reveal exactly what she learned filming the show, or whether she stands by her statements after it. That may be on producers' orders.
In October, Ayris reportedly told AAA: "The only contact I've had with Aboriginal people is in Perth in the city which hasn't been pleasant. I've actually been spat at and abused, called horrible things and I haven't even looked at them."
At the time, the 26-year-old acknowledged the lack of Aboriginal history and culture offered to her at school.
"I know all my friends are in the same boat as me, pretty clueless, to be honest about everything," she said. "So I'm hoping I learn a lot I can take back and share it with all my friends and people I know."
The show might only have three episodes, but learning (or unlearning preconceived ideas) is a lifelong job.
Topics Racial Justice
