Radio Reversal
Anna, Natalie, Han, Lamisse, Aleea, Jonathan and Helen
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Radio Reversal is a show that subjects aspects of everyday life to historico-political, theoretical, cheeky, irreverent, high brow, low brow, eye brow, warm-hearted analysis. Our aim is to see the world more clearly, think about what we'd like it to become, and how we can make that happen. We think that discussing these sorts of ideas is one way to lessen the alienation that affects many of us trying to make sense of a world that so often makes no sense of us. We also play loads of awesome music (sometimes thematic!) with great enthusiasm for requests and an emphasis on supporting local artists. It's fun!
Email us! radio.reversal(at)gmail.com. Find our podcasts on Substack.
12 June, 2025
Justice for Kumanjayi White
On the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, we have heard the tragic news that a young Walpiri man from the community of Yuendumu had been killed in an interaction with off-duty police officers in a supermarket in Mparntwe, Alice Springs. Kumanjayi White was a vulnerable young man who is mourned by his family and community. He died after being restrained by off-duty police officers in an interaction that is eerily similar to the murder of George Floyd. The police officers who restrained him have yet to be stood down by the NT Police, and no announcements have been made regarding an inquiry into his death.
All across the continent, communities have mobilised to demand that the institutions and individuals who are responsible for his death face accountability. Kumanjayi White’s family, include his Grandfather, the venerable Elder and activist Uncle Ned Hardgraves, have renewed their calls to disarm police across the Northern Territory. Almost four years ago, the Yuendumu community began the karrinjarla muwajarri campaign to demand a police ceasefire across the Northern Territory in response to the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker by Constable Zachary Rolfe in 2019. They wrote:
We do not want any more reports or inquiries that are not acted on. We already hold the answers and strategies we need. We do not want any more consultations with governments who do not listen to us.
We demand our self determination, our rightful decision making authority, and our resources to be restored to us. This is a list of our demands. What we are calling for is karrinjarla muwajarri, a police ceasefire. Indefinitely.
Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991, there have been nearly 600 deaths. This year alone, 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody. Not a single person has ever been held accountable. Right now, police are investigating themselves over Kumanjayi White’s death. The officers involved remain on duty — carrying on like it’s business as usual.
Families are reeling from trauma after trauma. Yuendumu is grieving the recent death of Kumanjayi White while still awaiting the findings from the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker. In today's episode we hear from Wanjiriburra and Birri Gubba activist and film-maker Sam Watson, Gungarri woman and academic Dr. Raylene Nixon — mother of Stevie-Lee Nixon McKellar who died in police custody in Toowoomba, and Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander man Kevin Yow Yeh.
Photo by Studio 9001.