'All lives don't matter until black lives matter' – Faf du Plessis delivers strong message on the issue of racism

Faf du Plessis, the former South African cricketer, has sent out a strong message on the ever-lasting issue of racism. Ever since George Floyd lost his life in the United States of America (USA), people from across the world have started speaking on the hardships of black-skinned people. Earlier, the likes of Chris Gayle came out, loud and clear, as well.

Michael Holding’s speech before England’s opening Test against the West Indies in Southampton delivered a strong message. From South Africa, 30 former cricketers have signed a statement, asking the country’s cricket board to address the issue of racism. Even current pacer Lungi Ngidi had some stern words to send for which he was criticised by Boeta Dippenaar and Pat Symcox.

Hashim Amla also threw light on the travails of black people across the world. Even Darren Sammy, the West Indies all-rounder, went on to say how he was being addressed to by a racial slur during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Faf didn’t hold back his thoughts either. He admitted that injustice is all around and one must be careful about choosing battles.

Du Plessis said that racism is there in South Africa and as a citizen of the country, he wishes to contribute in every way possible. He uploaded a picture with Ngidi on Instagram and captioned it with a message. He was clear cut in saying that ‘Black Lives’ do matter.

Here’s some excerpts from Faf du Plessis’ message: –

“In the last couple of months, I have realised that we must choose our battles. We are surrounded by many injustices in our country that require urgent attention and action to fix them.”

“So, I’ve remained silent, with the intent to listen, but not respond. Slowing down my point of view, but quicker to hear the pain of someone else. I surrender my opinions and take the knee as an intercessor.

“I acknowledge that South Africa is still hugely divided by racism and it is my personal responsibility to do my best to emphasize, hear the stories, learn and then be part of the solution with my thoughts, words and actions.”

Here is Faf’s post on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

In the last couple of months I have realized that we must choose our battles. We are surrounded by many injustices in our country that require urgent attention and action to fix them. If we wait only for the ones that attack us personally, we will always live for “my way vs your way” and that way leads us nowhere. So I’ve remained silent, with the intent to listen, but not respond. Slowing down my point of view, but quicker to hear the pain of someone else. I knew that words would be lacking and that my understanding is not close to where it needs to be. I surrender my opinions and take the knee as an intercessor. I acknowledge that South Africa is still hugely divided by racism and it is my personal responsibility to do my best to emphasize, hear the stories, learn and then be part of the solution with my thoughts, words and actions I have gotten it wrong before. Good intentions were failed by a lack of perspective when I said on a platform that – I don’t see colour. In my ignorance I silenced the struggles of others by placing my own view on it. A race problem is a human race problem, if one part of the body hurts ,we all stop, we empathize, we get perspective, we learn and then we tend to the hurting part of the body. So I am saying that all lives don’t matter UNTIL black lives matter. I’m speaking up now, because if I wait to be perfect, I never will. I want to leave a legacy of empathy. The work needs to continue for the change to come and whether we agree or disagree, conversation is the vehicle for change.

A post shared by Faf du plessis (@fafdup) on Jul 16, 2020 at 11:20pm PDT