“I’m not surprised because colonialism has done a real number on the psyche of many Australians,” he said.
The recordings are the latest chapter in Lumumba’s acrimonious relationship with the Magpies. The former player has accused the club of providing an unsafe workplace,which did not protect him from racial abuse before his 2014 departure.
Lumumba has alsorefused to engage with the Pies as they embark on a truth telling process as part of the recommendations from theDo Better report,which found systemic racism within the club.On Monday,he shared fresh allegations and grievances against the Magpies.
Earlier on Wednesday Lumumba told ABC News Breakfast he had not released the full version of recordings as he had taped “countless hours” of conversations.
“For the last decade of my interactions that I have had within the AFL system that I protected my legal rights because of the experiences that I have gone through,” he said.
“So,yes,there is a lot that includes conversations that I have had with Nathan Buckley and there is a lot that includes conversations with other people.”
Lumumba said he believed Collingwood would “always be associated with racism” and remained “sceptical” of the club’s truth-telling process.
“In the last 15 months,I’ve been dealing directly with Collingwood,speaking with multiple board members,dealing with their legal team and what I have seen is a continuation of their misconduct,a continuation of dishonesty and also a continuation of damage control and looking to push out an image that is not based in the reality that they are conducting themselves behind closed doors,” he said.
Lumumba also said the entire AFL had a problem of systemic racism.
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“It’s not a matter of belief,I know so,” he said.
McRae,who was a development coach at the Pies from 2011-15 before his appointment to the top job last year,spoke of the “great pride” in the environment within the club.
“I’m really proud of the diversity we have within our group,” McRae said. “It’s a safe environment we’re creating. We’ve got to get better in all areas,there’s no doubting that. We’re not standing still,we want to improve. Right now in our four walls we’re making sure we’re trying to get better.
“We’re trying to make change and the whole club has made significant change in the time I’ve been here,but also prior to me. We’re really concentrating to make this place the best it can possibly be.”
Asked about the alleged use of a lewd image in a 2014 team meeting,McRae said:“You’re asking me things I didn’t even see. If I had something I could comment on I will,but on this occasion I don’t.”
Collingwood issued a statement on Monday saying it still had much to do in addressing racism despite a recent review finding it had made “significant and genuine progress”.
“We remain committed to,and hopeful of,a genuine outcome for any and all players who have been subject to racism at our club,” Pies chief Mark Anderson said.
“TheDo Better report delivered 18 recommendations,including that a truth-telling process and strategy be established to address and reconcile past acts of racism,and to inform ongoing change so that racism doesn’t occur in the future.
“The recent 12-month review of the club by theDo Better authors found we have made ‘significant and genuine progress’ on many of the recommendations. The review gave us confidence that we are on the right track,and the whole club at every level is committed to doing better.
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“We know we have more to do. We have commenced the truth-telling program,partnering with external experts to deliver a process that is supported,respectful and safe. The club is committed to ensuring any and all players who have experienced racism benefit from this process and look forward to and welcome their involvement.
“The club knows that we still have a long way to go in the fight against racism,and reiterate that we are committed to genuine outcomes for any and all players who have been subject to racism at the club.”
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