Rapper 360 – otherwise known as Matt Colwell – caused a stir overnight when he appeared on the ABC’s Q&A, saying that he identifies the Australian flag with racism.
On the program, in response to a question about how Australia is perceived overseas, he expressed dismay at “dudes walking around with their tops off” on Australia day, wrapped in the flag while hurling racial abuse.
On the rapper’s Facebook wall today, many fans offered support and agreement, and many others expressed anger at his perceived insult to the nation’s flag, and in particular, to Australians who have fought and died under it at war.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald says that Colville is “shocked” at the abuse he has received on social media, and that people have taken his comments “so personally.”
“If you look at my Facebook page, you will see how many people are [abusing] me, saying if you don’t like it then fuck off,” he says. “I wasn’t talking about every Australian. I’m not sure why people are so offended. If they are not racists then I’m not talking about them.”
The rapper made a number of statements on his Facebook page throughout the day, first saying:
I can see I’ve ever offended some of you with my statements about Australia and the Australian flag … If ur not a racist I was not referring to you. People keep saying I disrespected people who fought for the flag – No one fought for the actual flag, they fought to keep our country free and democracy and not for the racist bigoted place it’s become. I think those who fought under the flag for this country would be ashamed of the racism under the guise of patriotism in Australia.. and again, if ur not racist – I wasn’t talking about you – why so offended? I would never disrespect the diggers. I appreciate all they did for our country but I feel the flag ha been re appropriated and doesn’t represent the same values as it used to.
He later added:
It’s not just racism either. I just believe in equality – no matter the colour of your skin & your sexuality you should be treated the same as everyone else. I believe in being a good person and would love to influence others to feel the same way. Just be good people to everyone and don’t judge off appearance or beliefs.
360’s track ‘On A Planet No One Knows’, released on Australia Day this year, included the line “I don’t want to have fans that are racist pigs.”
