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Spotlight on Racism

Sports People

Cheryl Salisbury

Cheryl Salisbury, Captain of the Matildas

What do you do?

I play football (soccer) for the Matildas - the Australian Womens Team

How old are you?

33

Where were you born?

Newcastle NSW

Where did you grow up?

Newcasle

Describe your cultural/religious/ethnic family background

English background mostly but my grandmother on my mother's side was French

Do you know any other languages? If so what are they?

I can speak a little Japanese as I lived in Japan for three years playing professionally

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Home in Newcastle is my favourite place in the world because I have spent so much time living overseas and traveling the world playing football I just love to come home.

Have you ever experienced or witnessed racism? How did it make you feel?

Yes I have seen some racism, and to some degree experienced it. When I was living in Japan it wasn't very common to see any white people, so being a tall white female living alone and really standing out in a crowd, made me sometimes feel that everyone was looking at me, watching me, wondering why I was in their country.

What did you do about it?

At the time I just tried to smile a lot.
Looking back now I think it was more that they were curious about me, and didn't understand me, as most of them may not have had a lot of contact with white people, as Japan isn't as multicultural as Australia is.

What advice would you give kids experiencing racism?

Because I have traveled all over the world and been part of so many different societies and cultures from a young age, I think it has enabled me to understand people and their ways better. It is still difficult for me to understand why some people choose to put another down. My advice to any kid would be....no one way of life is right or wrong, as no one look of a person is better or worse than another...only different, that's what makes us all unique. But by the same token we are all the same in our basic needs..... we all breath air, we all need water, and we all need warmth to live.

No matter what is said or done to you, be strong in your character, and yourself as a human being, don't retaliate because then you disrespect yourself.

What kind of Australia would you like to see for our children?

I would like to see an Australian society and culture that is tolerant and respectful of one another no matter where you come from or what you believe, within the bounds of the laws of Australia of course. I believe we can all live in harmony as long as we don't push our own views on life on to others.