Héritier Lumumba

In 2017, the documentary Fair Game was released about Heritier's life and his experience of racism while playing professional football. He called the culture at Collingwood a "boys' club for racist and sexist jokes"[10] and stated that his teammates nicknamed him "chimp", a term with a strong history of connotations as a racial slur against black people.[11] He stood up to the racism and continues to do so.[12]

On Network 10's The Project, Lumumba was interviewed by Waleed Aly about his experiences and was disappointed in Aly's response to the interview, as Lumumba felt that he approached the interview with the "preconceived idea that we would both see eye to eye on the basic truths of racism/white supremacy ... However, it is now very clear to me, that he and I have fundamental differences in our understanding of what racism/white supremacy is, and how it should be effectively dealt with."[13] Lumumba felt that he was undermined by Aly and claimed that Aly was indifferent to racism.[14]

In 2020, the feud was again reported in the media when Lumumba called The Project "unethical and dishonest" in their treatment of him. He said that Collingwood coach, Nathan Buckley, told him to back off his accusations because it would throw the club president, Eddie McGuire, "under the bus".[15]

Collingwood wanted to sit down with Lumumba to reconcile, but Lumumba refused until he received a full acknowledgement and apology over his treatment.[16]

In 2021, the Do Better report was leaked to the Australian media. The report found the Collingwood Football Club guilty of systemic racism.[17] This has led to calls for The Project, and hosts Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar, to apologise on-air.[18] Helliar has written an apology, "This report is heartbreaking. To @iamlumumba I am truly, unequivocally sorry. I should have believed you. I will do better."[19]

Lumumba's accounts of racism were rejected by former coach Mick Malthouse, Buckley and McGuire, but they were affirmed by a number of players including Chris Dawes, Brent Macaffer, Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer, Chris Egan and Shae McNamara.[20] Former Melbourne coach Paul Roos also confirmed hearing Lumumba's account and was "shocked" when Lumumba told him of the culture at Collingwood and what he had endured.[21]

Lumumba was born to a Brazilian mother and a Congolese-Angolan father in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to Perth, Australia when he was 3 years old.[22] He was raised by his Australian stepfather and was 19 years old when he was reunited with his father, after spending 13 years apart.[23] He supported the Essendon Bombers as a child, with his family owning a pet dog named Sheedy after the long-time Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.

He went to school at Rossmoyne Primary from 1994 to 1999 and then Rossmoyne Senior High School.

Lumumba's surname was changed to "O'Brien" when he was 9 years old and was given the nickname "Harry" shortly after, becoming known as "Harry O'Brien". In December 2013, he changed his surname back to "Lumumba" and discontinued the use of the nickname "Harry", citing his journey of decolonisation as the reason for the change.[1][24][25]

Lumumba became the AFL's first multicultural ambassador and worked to engage migrant communities through football.[26][27] He was the AFL's multicultural ambassador from 2006 to 2013. In 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard recognised Lumumba as one of the People of Australia ambassadors.[28][29] He was also made the ambassador to the Dalai Lama's visit to Australia in June 2011.[30]

Team

• AFL premiership: 2010
• McClelland Trophy (2): 2010, 2011

Individual

• All-Australian: 2010

Lumumba published a book in 2014 called It's Cool to be Conscious, that includes personal stories from his life, both on and off the field.

• It's Cool to be Conscious. Hay House. 29 May 2014. ISBN 978-1-40193-851-2.[31]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heritier Lumumba.

• Héritier Lumumba's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Héritier Lumumba at AustralianFootball.com