Tense moment TV interview with security guard is interrupted by a racist heckler: ‘Ashamed to be Australian’

A television interview with a security guard was shockingly interrupted by a racist heckler in St Mary’s, a western Sydney suburb with a large immigrant population.

The episode was on the high unemployment levels in Australia’s Dinka community  from South Sudan and the struggles some migrants have to find work. 

Dinka-speaking migrants have a 7.8 per cent rate of unemployment, which is almost twice the national 4.2 per cent rate.

SBS Examines interviewed two men who have degrees from Australian universities but years later they are still looking for work in the areas they studied.

Bol Kuol, who came to Australia as a refugee, said he applied for 73 jobs, but not once had he been called for an interview.

But as he spoke, an angry man interrupted from off-camera, saying ‘We’re not going to stop talking when you’re talking that s***, man.’

Mr Bol was visibly shocked and upset by what the man said to him, with online commenters saying it made them ‘ashamed to be Australian’.

‘We were here before all of that. Why don’t you ask him what he gets when he comes to Australia,’ the heckler added.

‘A f***** house, car, money, job. They’re taking everything from us, and you’re worried about their black a***s?’

The man has been called out for his comments, with many saying the broadcaster should identify him.  

‘Disgraceful. Makes me ashamed to be Australian. So sorry you (had to) experience this racism Bol. We need to do and be better,’ one commenter wrote.

Another wrote that it was ‘Not surprising unfortunately. Poor man didn’t deserve that barrage of ignorance and hate! Wishing him well now and for his future.’

A third said that ‘More people need to see this. It was the Arabs in the 00s, the Asians in the 90s, and the Europeans in the 70s and 80s. 

‘The target changes but the hate is the same.’

Mr Bol said he moved to Australia as a child with his family as refugees in 2003. ‘My family was unsafe (in South Sudan) and there was a lack of opportunities as well.’

He has a degree in social science, majoring in sociology, but he works as a security guard as he can’t find a job in his field. 

‘For six years now, I’ve been looking online, applying everywhere … if you don’t know anyone who is working in your profession, it’s very hard to get in,’ he said.

‘I’m not alone. There’s too many people out there looking for a job as well.’

Despite the setbacks, Mr Bol has not given up on finding a job is sociology.

‘I’m still hopeful someone will contact me and say “We are interested in you”.

‘So I’m still very optimistic. That’s what keeps me going.’

A commenter on the SBS Facebook page wrote that they wished Mr Bol well. 

‘It’s a huge achievement to study for a degree in a country where you arrive as a refugee. Hopefully someone will recognise all you’ve overcome and give you a shot. 

‘Your life experience is valuable, too. In the meantime, good you can work in other fields. Good luck!’