De Kock explained "I am not a racist and I do not feel the need to prove that with a gesture. When you are told what to do with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. I come from a mixed-race family. My half-sisters are coloured and my stepmom is black. For me, black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was a movement."
I have always felt uncomfortable about this aspect of Taking A Knee. If it becomes - or has become - a mere gesture, and individual players are culturally coerced into conforming, the action itself comes close to being a racist one. I understand South Africa's recent history and its special sensitivities about any suggestion of racism but they should understand that forcing a player to doing something which he is not comfortable with is no different to some regrettable aspects of the nation's recent past.
De Kock continued "I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused [really? HE has caused?]. I was quiet on this very important issue until now." He has decided he will now conform to the team's wishes and Take The Knee before matches.
I don't believe you have anything to apologise for, Quinton de Kock.
I’m with you on this. I have an inbuilt aversion to doing what someone else says I should. And that sort of virtue signalling is massively counter productive. A serious commitment from cricketers to racial equality would see them collectively setting up good training opportunities and giving time themselves to train black girls and boys who have never had the chance to hold a bat.
ReplyDeleteYou may remember the NT at Felbrigg tried to enforce the wearing of rainbow lanyards by volunteers. I have an acquaintance who volunteered there and refused to comply. I suggested that she ask if volunteers at Scotney Castle would be asked to wear a cross to commemorate the escape of Father Richard Blount. And if not, why not. The NT backed down.