'People won't understand how it feels to face racism throughout your life' - Michael Holding sheds light on racism

Cricketer-turned commentator Michael Holding is always pinpoint and accurate with views related to cricket, politics, and law. His views are widely respected by the general public alike. Last year the former West Indies fast bowler was seen giving views on racism during the England and West Indies Test match alongside former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent.

West Indies and England players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter Campaign. In a video that went viral, Holding and Ebony spoke in length about how racism is still prevalent and how disgustingly black people are still looked upon by the world.

He again opened up about the issue on Sky Sports ‘The Cricket Show’ on the first death anniversary of African-American George Floyd, who was brutally killed at the hands of a white police officer in Minnesota last year.

“You will always have racism, always have racists. Getting rid of racism totally is like saying you are going to get rid of crime totally. It is impossible,” Holding said during a panel discussion that also had former England captain Nasser Hussain and woman international Ebony Rainford-Brent.

Holding opens up about racism that is still prevalent across the world

Holding further elaborated that the gesture of “taking a knee” should come from within rather than telling players to do compulsorily and wants the public to take their own stand on racism.

“I am not going to tell people they must take a knee – I am not here to tell people what they need to do. I don’t want people to take it as a tick-in-the-box exercise.”

The former legendary player also shared that society is still biased towards the whites and many people still do not understand what the black people are going through.

“People don’t understand what it is like to come under that sort of pressure throughout your entire life. Some people say things and don’t even realise what they are saying or the effect it might have on a black person.”

“It’s something they get accustomed to saying,” the 67-year-old, one of the most respected cricketing voices across the globe,” he said.