Sudanese want fair go

Adam Wratten | 9th November 2009

ALL Jacob Elia and his Sudanese friends want is a fair go in Rockhampton. The group spoke about their frustrations and feelings of victimisation yesterday.

A FAIR GO: Members of the Sudanese community, from left, AJ, Ajak Kuot and Jacob Elia, relax at The Central Hotel yesterday. The group say they’re not getting a fair go in Rockhampton.

Allan Reinikka

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Do you think there is a problem with racism in Rockhampton?

ALL Jacob Elia and his Sudanese friends want is a fair go in Rockhampton.

The group yesterday spoke about their frustrations, feeling they were being treated unfairly and victimised.

They say they have come to Rockhampton to work and they’re not looking for trouble.

Having arrived in Rockhampton for a job at the meatworks, Jacob said he and many of his fellow countrymen had been subjected to bans from businesses – including a shop, pubs and clubs – frequent racial taunts, people picking fights and general harassment.

He argues that if one Sudanese person commits a minor infringement, all are tarred with the same brush.

Having lived in Australia for several years, he said Rockhampton was worse than Toowoomba, where a racist group targeted members of the Sudanese community in 2005.

“They’re judging a book by its cover,” Jacob, 23, said.

“If you want to know me, come up and talk to me.

“If you came to my country I would never treat you like this.

“We’ve done nothing wrong.”

He said everything was great at his work, but problems arose when Sudanese people were out and about in the community.

They were often yelled at and felt singled out when they were going about their business.

The group said a couple of weeks ago a Sudanese person was involved in a fight in the city and since then a number of hotels and clubs had barred them all.

“If one person does it, why should all of us be banned?” Jacob said.

The Central Hotel’s Donna Ketu is one person who has put out the welcome mat for a growing number the Sudanese coming to Rockhampton for work.

Donna has got to know those staying at the hotel.

She said she’d seen first-hand the rough deal they were getting.

“I really feel for them,” Donna said.

“It’s not just these guys; there are plenty more.

“I find it embarrassing when they come to stay here and I have to tell them they can’t go into certain places to save them from rejection.

“That’s really hard.”

Ajak Kuot, 26, said Rockhampton was as bad a place as he’d encountered since coming to Australia from the war-torn land six years ago.

“I don’t want to stay here for long,” he said.

“We are earning money and we should be able to enjoy spending it.

“We’re not here to make trouble; we’re here to make money.

“We feel like we’re the most wanted boys, where everyone wants to have a go at us.”

A Rockhampton police spokesman yesterday said apart from a couple of minor traffic infringements he wasn’t aware of any problems caused by members of the Sudanese community.

The Morning Bulletin contacted three of the establishments where the group said they were barred, but no one was available for comment yesterday.

Do you think there is a racism problem in Rockhampton? Tell us what you think? Leave your comments below...

Recent Comments

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Posted by aaliyahskye17 from Maroochydore, Queensland

09 November 2009 8:38 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

If there is a racial problem up in Rockhampton give up on them up there boys you are very good looking young men and no one deserves to feel that way ,Don't waste your time up there come down to the outskirts of the sunshine coast people seem to be normal here.It doesn't matter what coloured skin you have,it is the way they have been raised,very negatively,it is them that are missing out,i for one enjoy nowing people from all different countries as it opens your eyes,and the different foods are pretty cool,and the children get a good education in the smaller schools to.

Posted by qldcrimenews from Spring Hill, Queensland

10 November 2009 10:25 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

Are you kidding. The Sunshine Coast is probably worse than Rockhampton. The Sunshine Coast community is angry that black refugees are let into Australia but not a nice law abiding South African family.

Posted by qldcrimenews from Spring Hill, Queensland

10 November 2009 10:28 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

Who should get free pass the ancestors of the Anzacs who built this country or some people telling stories?

Posted by qldcrimenews from Spring Hill, Queensland

10 November 2009 10:40 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I'd go as far as to say that the Sudanese didn't say those things or were asked different and leading questions along those line.

Notice that every time the Police, the council or anyone who's in authority or would actually know, (if not the actual perpetrators at least the details) is asked to verify incidents they are reported to have no information or deny any racial problems?

Posted by waterlily from Lismore, New South Wales

10 November 2009 12:05 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

Let's face the facts,we as Australians are here because our ancestors invaded this country in the past.Now we say sorry to the aboriginals of our country, though to really mean it we also need to practice compassion to those that will make our future nation.Our lovely country is made up of a kaleidescope of nationalities.It takes time and patience for new comers to learn the Aussie ways-that are constantly changing!Yes there is fear about newcomers especially from other countries-but history has shown that thease people will become our future politicians,greengrocers,teachers,doctors ect.

Posted by aaliyahskye17 from Maroochydore, Queensland

10 November 2009 8:31 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

Last time i looked on a map Spring Hill was not on the Sunshine Coast,qldcrimenews from spring hill you need to open your eyes,i was born in Australia,there is no mistaking the colour of my skin i am very white no tan at all and i am in my thirties and i no that if you give people a chance most people will respect that and not stuff it up,so if a group of White Australian young men went into a pub up in Rockhampton and caused a ruckus it is ok therefor to ban all White Australian young men get real,that is what has happened and that is not meant to happen here we are meant to be the LUCKY country what only lucky for some,What has happened to these young Sudanese guys is not right,if the pubs that are banning these guys got to no them they would probably realise that they are really nice and caring people and would probably make very good employees as they no how to work and wouldn't be hiding around the corner making other workers do the work for them.