-
Bronwyn Pollitt’s email contained language that not only offended but also displayed deep-seated racism
-
In her correspondence, she expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness habits of Indian tenants and raised concerns about what she perceived as India’s influence on Australia
In a disturbing incident that unfolded in May 2021, the issue of racial discrimination once again came to the forefront in Australia. Bronwyn Pollitt, who held the position of a real estate agent and served as the director of Mavin Real Estate, faced severe repercussions after she sent an offensive and racist email to a former Indian tenant named Sandeep Kumar, according to a report by chennaimemes.in.
Pollitt’s email contained language that not only offended but also displayed deep-seated racism. In her correspondence, she expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness habits of Indian tenants and raised concerns about what she perceived as India’s influence on Australia. She went as far as to unfavorably compare Australian living standards and quality of life to her derogatory depiction of countries like India as “overcrowded, overpopulated, dirty squaller[s].” Pollitt even expressed apprehension that Indian migrants would transform Australia into what she disparagingly referred to as “the filth that is India.”
-
As the pressure mounted and her impending suspension drew near, Bronwyn Pollitt issued an apology to Sandeep Kumar
-
In her email, she claimed that her intentions had never been racist
-
She attributed her regrettable actions to external pressures, including the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regulatory changes, and increased rental conflicts
The offensive email sent by Pollitt did not go unnoticed or unaddressed. Sandeep Kumar, the recipient, decided to take a stand. He submitted the email as evidence to the State Administrative Tribunal in Western Australia, which, upon thorough examination, determined that Bronwyn Pollitt was not suitable to hold a real estate and business agent’s license.
Consequently, Pollitt faced an eight-month suspension from her job, effective from September 1. This verdict sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated in the professional realm.
As the pressure mounted and her impending suspension drew near, Bronwyn Pollitt issued an apology to Sandeep Kumar. In her email, she claimed that her intentions had never been racist. She attributed her regrettable actions to external pressures, including the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regulatory changes, and increased rental conflicts. Nevertheless, the sincerity of her apology remained a subject of debate and skepticism among many.
*****************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com