American director Spike Lee calls for Indigenous NRL players to refuse to sing the national anthem at State Of Origin because it doesn't represent them
- Spike Lee said 'more power to them' after Indigenous stars vowed to stay silent
- Indigenous stars Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr won't sing national anthem
- Queensland star Will Chambers came out and said he would also not sing
- Anthony Mundine called on non-Indigenous players to stand in solidarity
An American director has supported the decision by Indigenous NRL players who refuse to sing the national anthem.
Spike Lee said it is 'more power to them' after Indigenous stars Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr, playing for New South Wales in the State of Origin, vowed to stay silent during Advance Australia Fair.
'Sports has, I feel, always been a vehicle to move society forward,' he told SBS.
Spike Lee said it is 'more power to them' after Indigenous stars vowed to stay silent during Advance Australia Fair
Josh Addo-Carr said he will stay silent during the national anthem at State of Origin
Cody Walker said he will stay silent during the national anthem at State of Origin
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Mr Lee said every culture deserves to be represented and that people need to tell their stories.
'People of colour have caught hell through history, I don't think that's any different here in Australia, not to knock the country. That's worldwide.'
'We've got to move forward. So you want to be on the right side of history, not the wrong side.'
Walker said he will remain silent because the national anthem does not represent him.
'I'm not pushing my view on anyone, it's just how me and my family have grown up and how I feel,' he told the Herald.
Mr Lee said every culture deserves to be represented and that people need to tell their stories (pictured is Josh Addo Carr)
'I'm not pushing my view on anyone, it's just how me and my family have grown up and how I feel,' Walker said
Addo-Carr said he respected Walker's position and would join him in remaining silent during the singing of the national anthem during the first game of State of Origin.
'We are Australians too. Indigenous people were the first people here, on the land,' Addo-Carr told Sydney Morning Herald.
'The anthem doesn't represent us as Indigenous people. We have to change it.
'I am a proud Australian man but a proud Indigenous man, too. If it's not going to stand for my people, why should I sing it?'
Queensland star Will Chambers came out and said he would also not sing.
'I will do my bit and stand up for my people,' Chambers said.
Former NSW player Anthony Mundine has also called on non-indigenous players to stand in solidarity with indigenous players
Former NSW player Anthony Mundine has also called on non-indigenous players to stand in solidarity with indigenous players.
'That would be unbelievable, because they (also) want change. Because generally, people are good people,' Mundine told news.com.au.
'All white fellas ain't bad. They see the Aboriginal people's plight, they see what's going on; the oppression. Within the justice system, kids are getting locked up. How limited the opportunities for Aboriginal people and how many opportunities there are for caucasian white fellas.
'It's hard, but if they stood with them it would be a lot more powerful movement for what they're trying to do, because then you've got both sides of the fence taking one action.'
