KIIS FM host Rodney Overby calls Kyle Sandilands ‘racist’ live on air

The Kyle and Jackie O Show hosted a ‘Tough Chat’ on Thursday in which the hosts tackled the issues of racism and white privilege.

In a particularly confronting moment, KIIS FM’s Block Party host Rodney Overby called host Kyle Sandilands ‘racist’ as he spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement.

Rodney told Kyle, 48, and his co-anchor Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, 45, that they didn’t understand ‘what it takes to be black’ and also explained the concept of privilege. 

Discussing the Black Lives Matter protests in America and the subsequent spotlight on racism in this country, Rodney said that Australia was ‘on par’ with the U.S. in terms of prejudice against people of colour. 

‘There’s racism here but it’s really subtle, people aren’t seeing it,’ he said. ‘Now Kyle, you’re racist…’

At that moment, Kyle responded: ‘Am I?’

‘Yeah, you’re racist. You say some real racist s**t,’ Rodney said, to which Kyle responded defensively: ‘What do I say?’ 

‘Because you don’t understand being black,’ Rodney said. In response, Kyle acknowledged that he did not understand ‘because I’m white’. 

‘You’re white, that’s exactly right, my friend. You’re one of my best buds but people just don’t understand what it takes to be black,’ Rodney continued. 

‘And people need to be shown that. And you guys need to tell people where to get that information. How to get that information.’  

Rodney and Brigette Obradovic, UTS’s Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Vice-Chancellor, went on to explain that people need to educate themselves and those around them about racism in Australia.

‘You make a good point there because since this [the death of George Floyd] has happened, there is a lot more information out there on social media that even for me has been an eye-opener,’ Jackie admitted.

She continued: ‘When we talk about white privilege, for instance, I always thought that white privilege was someone who was white and born into a privileged life but that is not what white privilege is at all.’

‘What is white privilege? What do we need to know?’ Kyle asked.   

‘For example, going to the grocery store. I would get dressed. And the reason I would get dressed “appropriately” is because if I didn’t, I knew I would be followed [by security] once I get into the store,’ Brigette said.

‘Not just tracksuits and a hoodie like the rest of us?’ Kyle asked.

‘No, because if you go to the store looking like that, it would draw attention,’ Brigette replied.

‘Not only that, when you show up to go check out, what happens is, if you pay for your purchase with a credit card, they’ll ask you for additional ID. Like, what the hell? You didn’t ask the person in front of me for additional ID.’

‘I’m assuming its “more of a risk” that you’re trying to commit fraud, is that what they’re saying?’ Kyle asked.

‘Just because the colour of your skin,’ Brigette responded. 

The situation Brigette described was reminiscent of why George Floyd was being arrested before his death last Monday.

Floyd, 46, died after being arrested by four Minneapolis police officers for allegedly using a fake $20 bill.

He was brought to the ground by white police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes. Footage of the incident was spread online, sparking a wave of protests across the U.S. and worldwide

Floyd, who was unarmed and handcuffed, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. An autopsy later ruled he died of asphyxia.

Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, and the three other officers on the the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.