Aussie Actor Meyne Wyatt Called Out Racism In a Must-Watch "Q&A" Monologue

He’s received an outpouring of support.

On last night's episode of ABC's Q&A, Neighbours actor Meyne Wyatt delivered a passionate monologue about injustice towards Indigenous Australians. 

With Black Lives Matter protests taking place in the United States, Australia and other countries across the globe, the episode aimed to focus on racism and black deaths in custody.

Throughout the episode, the panel members spoke about the aggressions faced by Indigenous Australians in everyday life. However, it was Meyne's monologue at the end of the evening that proved the most powerful moment.

In the last four minutes, he performed the stirring monologue from his play City Of Gold, which highlights the inequality present in Australia.

"I'm always gonna be your black friend, aren't I? That's all anybody ever sees," Meyne began.

"I'm never just an actor, I'm an Indigenous actor.

"I'm always in the black show, the black play. I'm always the angry one, the tracker, the thief. Sometimes I just want to be seen for my talent, not my skin colour, not my race." 

Meyne went on to explain the immense pressure he feels as an Indigenous Australian.

"I have to be exceptional. I mess up, I'm done. There's no path back for me, there's no road to redemption. Being black and successful comes at a cost. You take a hit whether you like it or not, because you want your 'blacks' quiet and humble," he said.

Meyne also discussed white privilege, and the treatment of AFL player Adam Goodes.

"You can't stand up, you have to sit down. Ask a brother boy, Adam Goodes. A kid says some racist sh*t—not ignorant, racist—calling a blackfella an 'ape'. Come on man, we were flora and fauna before 1967. No actually, we didn't exist at all." 

At the end of the monologue, Meyne stated that black deaths in custody needs to stop, and encouraged people to call out racism.

"I wanna be what you want me to be, I wanna be what I wanna be. Never trade your authenticity for approval. Be crazy. Take a risk. Be different. Offend your family. Call them out. Silence is violence. Complacency is complicity," he said.

"I don't wanna be quiet, I don't wanna be humble, I don't wanna sit down." 

Meyne's monologue has been praised on social media.

Others have called out how confronting the monologue was.

My sister said to me that she found this very confronting. I replied “Good! If you’re feeling uncomfortable hearing it, how do you think he feels living it??!” #qanda

— Pierrette (@pierrettec76) June 8, 2020

You can find out more about how to support the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia here. 

Header Image: ABC