“Treat Racism More Seriously,” Former West Indies Captain, Darren Sammy

The cricketer’s governing body has been encouraged by the all-rounder and Former West Indies captain, Darren Sammy to “treat racism more seriously and pay it some attention in the integrity of the game.”

According to an earlier CNN report, the former captain says that he has experienced racism while playing the sport. However, he became knowledgeable of the word “Kalu” and how it is used in India to describe South Asians’ dark skin.

Sammy called out teammates about the use of the word and to have a conversation about it. The teammates indicated that the phrase is usually used to show “brotherly love,” but he felt that it is inappropriate, and it should end. This comment came just after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“It came at a point in time where racism and social injustice and systemic racism was at the forefront of everybody’s mind,” Sammy said.

At a recently concluded test series against England, the West Indies Cricket team took the knee bringing Black Lives Matter to the forefront. They also had Black Lives Matter printed on the collars to protest against racism.

“Black Lives Matter has given black people the confidence to speak out. I think the George Floyd incident has increased awareness and given the black people the confidence to speak out against the issues they face. People in general now feel they can be heard on important matters. It started a conversation that was much needed,” Sammy said.

Sammy led the West Indies to two 20/20 World Cup titles and has been at the front of the movement and wants the governing body to more.

“We’ve made the recommendations. You know racism is real. It is not something that we can hide,” Sammy said in Trinidad while playing the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).