On Wednesday (July 08), international cricket returned after a gap of 117-days as England and West Indies began their three-match Test series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Before the start of the game, players from both the teams were seen kneeling down on one knee and clenched fists in order to show their support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.
The official broadcasters Sky Sports also covered the views of commentators regarding the whole BLM campaign. The former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding also dropped his thoughts about the matter which quickly went viral on the internet and got appreciated by cricketers, journalists, experts, and followers from around the globe.
Holding stated that society has not gotten over the problem of racism yet; therefore, it’s essential to acknowledge that ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in the current climate.
“Education is important unless we want to continue the lives, we are living in. When I say Education, I mean going back in history. This thing stems from a long time ago, hundreds of years ago. The dehumanisation of the black race if where it started,” Holding said.
Following up his moving speech on Day 2 of the first Test between England and West Indies, Holding on Thursday broke down in tears while addressing the racism faced by his parents in the past. During an interview with Mark Austin, the Sky News reporter, Holding admitted that he was thinking about his parents when he became emotional.
“To be honest, that emotional part came when I started thinking of my parents. And it’s coming again now,” said Holding.
Holding took a pause, before continuing: “Mark, I know what my parents went through. My mother’s family stopped talking to her because her husband was too dark. I know what they went through, and that came back to me immediately.”
“Well, it’s going to be a slow process, but I hope. Even if it’s a baby step at a time. Even a snail’s pace. But I’m hoping it will continue in the right direction. Even at a snail’s pace, I don’t care,” Holding added.
“I hope people understand exactly what I’m saying, and exactly where I’m coming from. I’m 66 years old. I have seen it, I have been through it, and I have experienced it with other people. It cannot continue like this – we have to understand that people are people,” concluded Holding.
Here’s the video:
"Even if it's a baby step at a time. Even a snail's pace. But I'm hoping it will continue in the right direction. Even at a snail's pace, I don't care"
Michael Holding fights back tears as he recalls the prejudice faced by his parents.https://t.co/iOm40vn1kt pic.twitter.com/BhYXRbtyd1
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 9, 2020
