Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has reacted to the ongoing protests across the United States of America (USA) in response to George Floyd’s demise. Floyd, an African-American man, was killed last week when a police officer pressed his knee on the former’s neck after which he was choked to death.
A lot of celebrities and public figures across the world have reacted to the unfortunate incident. Now, Sangakkara has also offered his views and urged people to create a better society.
In a series of tweets, Sanga said that regardless of the country, the state should not fix the people’s sensibilities and sensitivities. He said: “That’s your choice and mine,”.
“The activism in America against systemic racism and injustice is a powerful lesson to us all,” said Sangakkara on Tuesday.
1/8 The activism in America against systemic racism and injustice is a powerful lesson to us all.
Whichever country we live in, be it America, Sri Lanka or another, it is not the State that should determine our sensibilities and sensitivities.
That’s your choice and mine.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
Sangakkara said: “The State should not determine our wisdom, compassion, empathy and understanding. It should not and cannot limit the openness of our hearts and minds to others nor our ability to embrace and value difference and differences.”
2/8 The State should not determine our wisdom, compassion, empathy and understanding. It should not and cannot limit the openness of our hearts and minds to others nor our ability to embrace and value difference and differences.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
Sangakkara further added: “We also choose our representatives from among our own. We are responsible for the character traits they bring to government. We are accountable for the people they are or have become. Our influence and nurture have set Their nature.”
3/8We the people choose that ourselves
We also choose our representatives from among our own. We are responsible for the character traits they bring to government. We are responsible for the people they are or have become. Their nature has been set by our influence and nurture.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
“We need to be better people,” said Sanga.
4/8 Our choices guide the State’s attitudes, actions, policy and legislation. In order to establish the best government and the best most equitable governance we need to be better people.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
The 42-year-old stated that people’s strengths and their weaknesses are mirrored in each other’s conduct and in the manner of their elective representatives.
5/8 Our strengths and our weaknesses are mirrored in each other’s conduct and in the conduct of our elected representatives.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
Sangakkara articulated that ordinary citizens can together achieve extraordinary change for a better society.
6/8 We the people, the ordinary citizen, can together achieve extraordinary change for the better, to set in place a world culture of openness, respect and understanding. A world culture that has no place for ignorance and prejudice and where true freedom reigns.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
The second highest double-century holder even said it’s up to today’s choices which will determine the future of the upcoming generation.
7/8 We have to be courageous, keep the faith and actively participate in the journey.
It’s our choices today that will determine the culture our children inherit tomorrow.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
“If we want to be proud of our lives, to see our children proud to carry our legacy forward and onwards, then let’s be better. Let’s demand it of ourselves, for each other, for our children. CHOOSE,” Sangakkara concluded.
8/8 If we want to be proud of our lives, to see our children proud to carry our legacy forward and onwards, then let’s be better. Let’s demand it of ourselves, for each other, for our children.
CHOOSE.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 2, 2020
