Speaking truth…

Neighbours star Meyne Wyatt has called out the injustice toward Indigenous Australians on an episode of Q&A last night, and his words definitely need to be heard by all, especially in the current climate.

The panel’s discussions focused on racism and black deaths in custody, following the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place across the nation and the world.

The response was prompted after Leetona Dungay, mother of David Dunjay Jr (who died in police custody in 2015), asked the panel to stand with her in demanding justice for her son. After giving his own experience and sympathising with Leetona, Wyatt bravely confronted the panel (around the eight minute mark). Wyatt, a Wongutha-Yamatji man, put it all on the line in a mad display of honesty and vulnerability, stating that he is sick of being “the nice guy” while Australian institutions were “killing us”.

“It’s been continuous since Captain Cook landed on these shores. It’s still happening. It’s a denial of our existence. We’re demanding. We’re demanding justice. And those protests in America – they’re not protests, they’re demanding it. “There are riots and people are talking about order. Who cares about order if there’s no justice? We want justice. I’m sick of talking about being in order – you know what? It doesn’t work. Being peaceful – peaceful protests – don’t work. You’re never saved. You’re never happy for what we do.”

Continuing on, Wyatt said “I’ve got to sit here and be the nice guy. “I don’t want to be the nice guy no more. I’m sick of it. Everyone sits there and listens to you be this animal. I don’t want to be an animal no more.”

Leetona Dungay asks the panel to stand with her in demanding justice for her son, David Dungay Jr. #QandA pic.twitter.com/8XLnaMVnp8

— QandA (@QandA) June 8, 2020

They’re definitely powerful and true words that need to be heard, and the monologue he delivered from his play City of Gold was every bit as impactful and hard-hitting.

Meyne Wyatt closes #QandA with a monologue from his play, City of Gold. pic.twitter.com/9ALFIYRAnq

— QandA (@QandA) June 8, 2020

“Black deaths in custody, that sh*t needs to stop,” Wyatt said into the camera.

“Never trade your authenticity for approval. Be crazy. Take a risk. Offend your family. Call them out. Silence is violence. Complacency is complicit. I don’t want to be quiet. I don’t want to be humble. I don’t want to sit down.”

It seems the Q&A viewership seemed to completely be on board with Wyatt’s words, with countless people tweeting support.

That monologue by @meynewyatt might be the most incredible and shattering thing I’ve seen on #qanda.

— Benjamin Law 羅旭能 (@mrbenjaminlaw) June 8, 2020

See that pain and anger simmering beneath the surface of these Mob on #qanda tonight? That doesn’t get left at the studio door. That no good feeling follows you around day, night, everywhere. Racism, white supremacy is an insidious diesease that must be driven out of our society.

— Shari L Sebbens (@sharileesebbo) June 8, 2020

Australia, lean into the anger and frustration on #QandA. We need to listen.
Thank you @nakkiahlui @meynewyatt and @NyadolNyuon #BlackLivesMatterAustralia

— Beverley Wang (@beverleywang) June 8, 2020

Powerful words that definitely need to be heard by all…