[ad_1]
The Proteas players have made the decision, through a process of deep democracy, to raise their fists at the beginning of the Betway Test series against Sri Lanka as a gesture to express their commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement.
In a statement issued by Cricket South Africa on Saturday morning, the Proteas said:
“We recognize that gestures have histories and contexts, that they have meaning beyond themselves (both positive and negative) and that these gestures can be open to misinterpretation. Symbols also serve to communicate shared values and meanings.
“We, as a Proteas team, have repeatedly stated our unmistakable support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) campaign. We have openly discussed the issue on numerous occasions with the media and with each other and we are committed to continuing to do this work together.
“We continue to own our journey and our previously stated position on this issue (Player Statement and Press Release Nov. 25). We recognize that our actions will likely result in criticism from some community, one way or another, but we work to prioritize the team, to be honest about our own learning journey, and to continue to make decisions that we can make in good conscience as a team first and foremost , and as individuals “.
The statement went on to explain why the team had decided to raise their fists instead of “kneeling.”
“We think it’s important to note that while American football quarterback Colin Kaepernick is now known for initiating the kneeling gesture, he began his protest by sitting down during the singing of the United States of America (US) anthem. His decision to get on his knees was a response to his context and to his desire to possess a gesture that had deep meaning in the political environment of America.
“Along the same lines as Kaepernick, we would like to use our sports platform to raise awareness on an issue that matters deeply at this historic moment. We want to do it in a way that unites us around a gesture that we possess, that speaks and resonates in our South African context, and that is connected to our own history of fighting for human rights.
“The raised fist is a powerful gesture in our own history, as expressed in the iconic images of Nelson and Winnie Mandela on Mandela’s release from prison in 1990. In this context, it was a powerful gesture of triumph, an acknowledgment of the fight against apartheid and the commitment to continue fighting for equality, justice and freedom, while respecting the religious and cultural responsibilities of each member of our team.
“The raised fist has a long history within the civil rights movement as well. It has also been used iconically in sports. For example, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, and later called it a “human rights salute.” More recently it has been used within the BLM movement.
“We recognize the historical and political connotations of the raised fist as a gesture of permanent solidarity in the fight for racial justice and work against racism. Therefore, we stand united and raise our fists as a gesture of solidarity and commitment to continue the work of seeking racial justice in our lives. “
For more news your way, download The Citizen app to ios and Android.
[ad_2]
