Buddy Franklin’s wife admits to using offensive language by calling someone ‘half’ Indigenous

Jesinta Franklin (née Campbell) has admitted to inadvertently using offensive language when referring to Indigenous Australians in the past.

The 29-year-old model, who is married to Aboriginal AFL player Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, told the August issue of Marie Claire Australia she previously made the mistake of referring to people as ‘half’ or ‘quarter’ Indigenous.

She said she used the ‘half’ and ‘quarter’ terminology – which many Indigenous Australians find offensive – while attending Australia Day events. 

‘I know I’m not always going to say the right thing but we can’t let the fear of asking the wrong questions stop us from having conversations,’ she added.

‘If you get something wrong, admit it, apologise and actively do better.’ 

Jesinta went on to say she often seeks guidance from members of the Indigenous community before discussing certain topics. 

She also acknowledged that her children, daughter Tullulah, 17 months, and son Rocky, four months, are likely to experience racism in their lives. 

‘As parents, we’re trying to raise Lulu and Rocky to be resilient and to stand up for themselves,’ she said.

‘It’s heartbreaking to know they will face prejudice and racism at some stage in their lives – it’s not about if, it’s about when – but they’ll know that kind of behaviour isn’t okay.’

The former Miss Universe Australia said she’s ‘guided’ on Aboriginal issues by her 34-year-old husband.

But she has ‘also taken the initiative to educate myself’ as a mother of Indigenous children.

Jesinta added that she wants her kids to be connected to their culture, and hopes to ‘be the best mum to our First Nations babies and the best ally I can be’.