Model Jesinta Campbell has delivered an emotionally-charged message to beleaguered Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes for standing up to racism and “creating a better future for my children”.
The TV personality, who is engaged to Goodes’ team mate Buddy Franklin, also gave some personal insight into the impact booing from AFL crowds has had on the former Australian of the Year, in an interview on Channel Nine’s Today show this morning.
“I have to personally thank Adam Goodes,” said Jesinta, “because my future children are going to be Indigenous and because of his courage and his passion, he is creating a better future for not only my children but all Indigenous children and so for that I have to say: Adam, you are champion on the field, off the field and I will stand by you.”
To read more about Jesinta Campbell – the model turned TV host – click here.
Taking a different stand to many popular media commentators, Jesinta said she believed the sustained criticism of Goodes was racist.
“Look, booing is a public form of bullying and Adam has come out and said that it is affecting him so everyone needs to stop,” she said. “If you continue
to boo him, you are bullying him. It’s affecting his welfare, it’s affecting his family and his friends and it needs to stop. Is it racist? Yes I think it is.
“Anyone who has never experienced racial villification, racism is just a word to them.
“But for people who have experienced it, racism is a feeling and it is a horrible feeling from what I have seen.”
She was applauded by Today’s presenters after delivering her views with visible passion.