Ex-Magpie and Demon Héritier Lumumba has penned an open letter to his former teammates in a bid to gain support for his condemning of Collingwood and the AFL over accusations of racism.
It comes after his emotional social media post on Tuesday, calling out Collingwood and the the league over claims he was the subject of racial vilification during his time with the Magpies.
The now 33-year old stated that he was 'ostracised internally' after speaking out against a racist remark and did not receive the necessary support.
In his open letter shared on foxsports.com.au, Lumumba has invited his former teammates to "join him" in demanding accountability from Collingwood and the AFL.
Lumumba's open letter to his former teammates
To my former teammates:
I want to make it clear that this is not about individuals. I have no interest in naming and shaming any of my former teammates. This is about racist policy and the lack of anti-racist policy.
However, with all that being said, I must reaffirm the sentiments of the great LeBron James, “If you ain't wit US, WE ain't with Y'ALL!”
Let me explain. It is no longer good enough to be ‘not racist', it is no longer acceptable to be silent. You must be anti-racist, daily, if you are committed to being a part of the solution, as opposed to being complicit in the perpetuation of the problem.
In AFL culture, the quality of ‘courage' is a cornerstone value, and is defined by acts of ‘bravery' that pertain to committing yourself to a contest. When a player shows disregard for the consequences that could amount to risking their body on the field, they are lauded for their ‘courage' because they “went when it was their turn.”
Indigenous people around the world, including people of African descent, have been in a contest for survival. Despite the violence that has and is systemically waged upon our humanity and lands, we are still here. Despite the massacres, the rapes, the humiliation and degradation, we are still here.
We continually show up to contest after contest, for little reward or oftentimes more violence inflicted upon us.
It is time that we redistribute this pain and place it on the powerful; the ones who have an ability and responsibility to create change.
With all this being said, when it comes to this current contest that our peoples find ourselves in, you're either with us or against us. You are either anti-racist or racist. Join me in demanding that the Collingwood Football Club and the AFL be accountable for their unacceptable handling of the racism that I faced during my career.
Denial of the past compromises the future.
What side of history will you stand on?