Jofra Archer has claimed that Michael Holding “knows nothing about what is happening behind the scenes” after he criticized England and Australia for not kneeling during his limited series.
Holding, the former fast bowler from the West Indies, has been a staunch supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement in recent months. In addition to providing passionate testimony of his experiences on Sky and with ESPNcricinfo, he welcomed the decision of the England, West Indies and Irish teams to register their respect for the movement by kneeling before their test matches and ODI earlier this season.
But he described the failure of Pakistan, Australia and England to do so before their recent matches as “pathetic” and suggested that individual players could unilaterally make the gesture if they wanted to “send a signal” to show that they “accept that things must change” . “.
But Archer, the Barbados-born fast bowler of England, has insisted that no one involved in the England organization has “forgotten” about the movement and claimed that progress is being made “in the background”.
“I’m pretty sure Michael Holding doesn’t know anything about what’s going on behind the scenes,” Archer said. “I don’t think I ever talked to [ECB chief executive] Tom Harrison.
“I’ve talked to Tom and we have things in the background. We haven’t forgotten. No one here has forgotten Black Lives Matter.”
“I think it’s a bit harsh for him to say that. I think it’s a bit harsh for Mikey not to do some research before criticizing.”
The “substantive” measures Archer is referring to include the ECB establishing an inclusion and diversity task force, a commitment to increase the representation of non-white people in leadership positions, an anti-discrimination charter throughout the game and a black youth scholarship scheme. coaches, with a focus on “leadership, education and opportunity”. There will also be an additional push to reintroduce cricket in elementary schools, with a focus on ethnically diverse areas.
But Holding, responding to Archer’s comments, told ESPNcricinfo that there should be no conflict between taking action in the background and continuing to gesture in public.
“Kneeling does not prevent other actions from taking place,” Holding said. “Those who kneel are not replacing the gesture with another positive action.
ALSO READ: Holding on to Black Lives Matters: England’s Excuses Are ‘Lack of Convincing’
“No one should have a problem with that. It is a worldwide recognition of drawing attention to racial prejudice and injustice.”
Meanwhile, Archer welcomed the crackdown by social media companies against those who commit racial abuses online. But he did suggest that the legislation “may have to go a bit further” as it continues to be abused on a regular basis.
“I think a lot of things are being implemented now,” he said. “People can be processed a little more easily, but I think it might be necessary to go a little further because some people are still not worried about what will happen to them.
“I had one the other day; the guy blamed it on being drunk. My mom always said ‘you can’t think for people.’ As long as there is social media and the person doesn’t have to confront you, they will. ” ‘ still continues.
“I also feel the love of the fans. But there is still a small percentage, you know? I may be doing well, but I saw a woman comment on me. [gold] strings Strings have nothing to do with cricket. If you knew me, you would know that I have worn chains since I was 14 or 15 years old. You can’t make everyone happy, but most of the people in England are happy and that makes me happy.
“All we can do is try to act on it, report it, and do our best. At the end of the day, I think I’m strong enough to deal with it, but what happens when they start targeting someone who’s not so mentally strong and starts to affect them? We have to try to eliminate it as much as possible now. “
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