While people are demonstrating against racism across the globe, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) accepted that a ‘systematic racism’ exists throughout the country and the gentlemen’s game cricket is not an exception to it.
Learning from the recent Black live matters movement that started after the death of an African-American unarmed man in police custody in the U.S, ECB issued a statement and said it will now work to engage community leaders and black influencers within cricket to eradicate the issue completely.
‘‘We will now work to engage community leaders and black influencers within cricket so that we can review and evolve our existing inclusion and diversity work and specifically address the issues raised by the black community,”
ECB said in the statement.
Things must change
ECB in its statement further noted that cricket is a game for everyone but sadly, barriers to its enjoyment exist for many communities.
“In recent weeks we have reflected, and acknowledge that black players and fans, who have contributed so much to the history of our game, now feel disenfranchised.
They do not feel as if cricket is a game for them. This must change,” ECB statement explained further.
The cricket board further added that it has listened carefully to all those players, individuals and officials who represent the community and admire them for being vocal on the issue.
“We admire them for being vocal on this crucial topic. We know that systemic racism spans institutions and sectors across the country and we know that our sport is not immune.”
We will work further to ensure a long-term change
The death in USA attracted attentions from all over world and almost from all the sports, sportsperson and officials called for equality in every aspect.
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, Tennis prodigy Coco Gauff shown support to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. WWE also put out a statement on Facebook condemning the incident.
In cricket, West Indies and ECB’s players are torchbearers of the movement.
Moving a step further the ECB assured the community and society that it would continue to listen to the voices to ensure a long term change.
“…..we continue to listen to the voices of those who have spoken out, to educate ourselves and face uncomfortable truths in order to create action internally and throughout the game, to ensure long-term change.”
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