Missy Higgins on 'Racist' Cabbie Rejecting Gurrumul: 'So sad that this still happens in our country' [VIDEO]
Aussie artist Missy Higgins on Wednesday aired on Twitter her frustration over the apparent racism that still exists in Australia today. Higgins reacted to the news that multi-award winning blind indigenous artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu aka Gurrumul, was rejected by a cabbie because of his physical appearance.
"So sad that this still happens in our country," Higgins tweeted.
Also read: Shared Opinion: Tweets on Cabbie Snubbing Gurrumul, Mixed Reactions, General Frustration
The alleged act of racism by the cabbie happened after Gurrumul performed with Missy Higgins Tuesday night at The Palais in St Kilda.
Gurrumul's artist manager Mark Grose hailed a cab outside the Palais. He later asked Gurrumul's co-manager and double-bass player, Michael Hohnen, to hold the cab until Gurrumul exited the building, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Then, Michael Hohnen, told ABC:
"When the taxi driver saw them [Gurrumul and his partner Bronwyn], he said, 'Oh no, don't worry about it mate,' and just drove off."
Hohnen was halfway between the front of Palais and the cab when the driver drove off. He said the managers and Gurrumul were in high spirits that night after having read Missy Higgins' tweet about their number.
"Missy Higgins had tweeted that the song she'd performed with Gurrumul was a career highlight, and we were all on a high and then we come out and this happens," he said.
Grose called ABC Wednesday morning to give details about the incident. Unfortunately, they were not able to give specific description of the cabbie, other than he's in his 40s and looking subcontinental.
Gurrumul himself has yet to comment on the incident.
Missy Higgins on Gurrumul: 'What a transcendent, powerful voice'
Before news came out about the allegedly racist cabbie, Missy Higgins had tweeted about Gurrumul's performance in her show:
"Having Gurrumul sing on one of my songs tonight was one of the highlights of my career. What a transcendent, powerful voice. Just beautiful."
VIDEO: Missy Higgins and Gurrumul at the ARIA Awards in 2011
Here is a video of Missy Higgins and Gurrumul, taken at last year's ARIA Awards.
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