Older people look at me like they are looking at an alien
Says MICAH RICHARDS
MICAH RICHARDS has opened up on the fight against racism and revealed he still suffers discrimination every day.
Former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Richards has been one of the most eloquent and passionate voices on the topic of racism in football, drawing on his own experience.
Richards, now a Sky pundit, revealed he still gets stared at by people where he lives, simply because of the colour of his skin, and wants to use his voice and profile to tackle such prejudice.
“I live in Harrogate in Yorkshire and the way some of the older people look at me is like they’re looking at an alien,” said Richards, 32. ” It’s weird.
“That’s the older generation. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future.”
Richards wants to encourage more public debate about racism, to understand why some people still hold such prejudiced views and ultimately bring an end to discrimination.
“If we’re going to change the future, we’ve got to have that conversation into why you feel that way,” he said in a digital address to 250 young leaders from 23 countries as part of an initiative set up by his old club City.
“I deal with racism a lot better now, because I see things from a different perspective from when I was younger.
“Now I’m trying to learn a little bit more. We know it happens in everyday society. I just want to help as many people as I can and have a conversation and let them express their feelings.”
Richards said he has been a victim of racism throughout his life, from growing up, through to his playing days and into the new phase of his career.
“I was working for Sky when the plane went over the Etihad Stadium with ‘ White Lives Matter’,” said Richards. “Of course white lives matter.
“Some of the most prominent people in my life are white. Nobody is saying white lives don’t matter. Of course they do, everyone’s life matters.
“But for the plane to go over at that moment – with what was happening in the world after George Floyd’s murder and more widely with the history of racism against black people – I saw that as a massive disrespect.
“I would love to know why those who organised that plane feel that way. Ten or fifteen years ago, I’d have reacted in a different way. Now I’d like to learn why they felt they had to fly a plane over.
“I like to see things from other people’s perspectives now and learn why, because I’d like them to learn why black people or ethnic minorities feel a certain way.
“It’s difficult because there are so many people who aren’t racist at all, but they feel uncomfortable talking about the matter.
“If they can be open to have that conversation as to why they feel uncomfortable, then it can only be for the better.”