‘I don't think I would be alive if I grew up in the UK’ – Michael Holding sheds light on racism

Always to the point and never to mince words, former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding is at it yet again, saying he would never have possibly grown up in England. This bold statement from Holding is a no-brainer as he undoubtedly is the leading voice when it comes to racism in society and sport.

Holding’s comments came a few days after the ECB suspended England pacer Ollie Robinson for his historic tweets as a teenager. Not only Robinson but there were also other reports, which mentioned there is an involvement of other players and the ECB made investigations.

Naturally, it didn’t go down well with many former players such as Michael Vaughan and Michael Carberry. As quoted by The Telegraph, Holding and former England woman international Ebony Rainford-Brent had spoken in length about racism.

The former legendary West Indies pacer gave a powerful speech of over four minutes and spoke about how society still doesn’t respect the black and always judges people by colour.

“I don’t think I would be alive today. As a young man, I was a bit fiery. I kicked a stump out of the ground in New Zealand (1980) so can you imagine me going through what Ebony went through?”

“No, I would not have made it,” Holding told while referring to what former England woman international Ebony Rainford-Brent endured growing up in the UK.

Michael Holding never experienced racism in Jamaica

The former fast bowler, who grew up in Jamaica, before venturing into the commentary in England told he never encountered racism in his country. In fact, Holding also told that after he left Jamaica, he got the taste of racism across the world.

“Growing up in Jamaica, I didn’t experience racism. I experienced it every time I left Jamaica. Each time I experienced it I just told myself ‘this is not your life’, I will soon be going back home’.

“And if I had made a stand my career would not have lasted as long as it did, I would not have had a long television career. We have seen through history that black people who stand up for their rights and call out injustice are victimised.”

The 67-year-old  has also written a book on racism “Why We Kneel, How We Rise”, which will soon be out in the market.