Since the episode of Patriot Act by Hasan Minaj was aired a few days back, former West Indies captain Darren Sammy has been on a late-realization spree. Apparently, Sammy was subjected to racist slurs during his stint at IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, back in 2013-15 seasons.
His teammates at the Hyderabad-based franchise tagged him, along with Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera, as ‘Kalu’ which is a common term for dark-complexioned people in India.
Bollywood actress and activist, Swara Bhaskar, renowned to voice unpopular political opinions, intervened by retweeting a post on Sammy being satisfied post conversation with his ex-teammates.
“Dear @darensammy88 if someone used the N word at a black person & said they “operated from a place of love” what would u say? Same with word ‘Kaalu’ & it’s variations. And team members of @SunRisers. Show some decency & spine #SaySorryToDaren officially ! #thatsnotcricket @IPL,” Swara wrote in her post
Dear @darensammy88 if someone used the N word at a black person & said they “operated from a place of love” what would u say? Same with word ‘Kaalu’ & it’s variations. And team members of @SunRisers. Show some decency & spine #SaySorryToDaren officially ! #thatsnotcricket @IPL https://t.co/8nbMpwNh6e
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 12, 2020
Soon after, Swara received a reply from Sammy, who said, “Don’t get me wrong I’m not condoning what was done/said. I’m saying let’s use this opportunity to educate each other so it doesn’t happen again. One can only apologize if he/she feels wrong about something. I’m confident&proud to be black. That will never change,”
Don’t get me wrong I’m not condoning what was done/said. I’m saying let’s use this opportunity to educate each other so it doesn’t happen again. One can only apologize if he/she feels wrong about something. I’m confident&proud to be black. That will never change 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😂 https://t.co/HeA1Erwby3
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 12, 2020
Then, Swara engaged herself in conversation with Sammy, saying, “Totally agree Daren! Shows generosity & grace on your part. ???????????????????????? But it’s important that your teammates own up to their action, even if they didn’t mean it- or didn’t realize- they still played a racist exchange. As you say education- realization & owning up to one’s actions.”
Totally agree Daren! Shows generosity & grace on your part. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 But it’s important that your teammates own up to their action, even if they didn’t mean it- or didn’t realise- they still played a racist exchange. As you say education- realisation & owning up to one’s actions. https://t.co/Tgf8mcFZ9e
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 12, 2020
Further, Sammy inferred that he cannot impose his ideologies on anyone against their own will. “But that’s not on me to force anyone. It must be on one’s one free will. But I will continue to highlight or educate the need for change.. there’s no place for such in this world,” Sammy tweeted.
But that’s not on me to force anyone. It must be on one’s one free will. But I will continue to highlight or educate the need for change.. there’s no place for such in this world https://t.co/d63Ox3MmqJ
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 13, 2020
