Gayle: I have faced racism during my career
EXPRESSING solidarity with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign, star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle on Monday (1) alleged that he was subjected to racist remarks during his career.
Gayle did not elaborate when racial remarks were made to him, but hinted that it happened during his stints at various global T20 leagues.
“I have travelled the globe and experienced racial remarks towards me because I am black, believe me, the list goes on,” he posted on Instagram on Monday night.
“Racism is not only in football, it’s in cricket too. Even within teams as a black man, I get the end of the stick. Black and powerful. Black and proud,” he said.
The big-hitting batsman’s comments came against the backdrop of African-American George Floyd’s death in the US after a white police officer, Derek
Chauvin, pressed his knee on the handcuffed man’s neck as he gasped for breath. The incident has sparked violent protests across America.
“Black lives matter just like any other life. Black people matter. Ph**k all racist people. Stop taking black people for fools, even our own black people wise the ph**k up and stop bringing down your own!,” Gayle wrote.
Racism in cricket drew attention last year when England pacer Jofra Archer was abused by a spectator in New Zealand.
Top Black Caps players and the New Zealand cricket board had offered apologies to the visitors for the incident.
Also on Monday night, the England cricket team’s official Twitter handle posted a message denouncing racism.
“We stand for diversity, We stand against racism,” the message read.