Dark spots of racism

As racism is playing a prominent role in the current turbulent times its worth reflecting on my experience of prejudice in and around cricketAs a youngster growing up in a family where there was no notable prejudice and despite being in the era of the White Australia Policy I wasnt really aware of racismI then had the good fortune to commence my Sheffield Shield career in the same team as West Indies champion allrounder Garry Sobers That was a wonderful education in both cricket and life Garry had no colour prejudice and his inspiration helped me form an opinion there are both good and notsogood people and it has nothing to do with colourMy first overseas tour was South Africa in 196667 and that was an eyeopener The apartheid regime was in power and we got a taste of its abhorrent nature after winning the second Test in Cape TownWhy dont you pick Garry Sobers then youll have a team full of blacks was the offensive comment directed at Australian batsman Grahame Thomas by an ignorant patron in the team hotelThomas has an AfroAmerican lineage dating back to the days of slavery Sensibly he walked away from any confrontationConfronting Viv RichardsAs captain in 197273 prior to commencing a home series against Pakistan and then touring the Caribbean I spoke to the Australian players I warned them if there were any comments prefixed by the word black there would be troubleAs a way of explanation I said You dont call someone a lucky white bsd so why include the word black in any outburstI never heard any such comments from those Australian playersIn 197576 my brother Greg captained Australia against the West Indies In a book published after the series Viv Richards suggested thered been some racially prejudiced comments I asked Gregmdashwho had a similar outlook to memdashif hed heard any such outbursts and he said NoI later confronted Viv on the subject and he said he was referring to one player and he assured me that it had all been sorted outIn 1972 I played in a double wicket contest in Zimbabwe On a rest day a few players were drinking in the back bar at the Victoria Falls hotel Wed been there a while when the proprietor suddenly told Basil DOliveiramdasha South African born Cape coloured who played for Englandmdashhe had to leave the bar I asked why Because hes been swearing in front of my wife came the unconvincing reply Turn it up mate I responded theres a few of us been swearing why pick on Basil The man insisted that Basil was the only one swearing so we all put our unfinished beers on the bar and walked outDuring the 197576 tour of South Africa by a mixed race International Wanderers side managed by Richie Benaud and captained by Greg I experienced a different form of racismWe travelled to a ground outside Port Elizabeth to watch players of colour who werent allowed to compete in the Currie Cup competition because of South Africas apartheid lawsAs we were leaving a member of the crowd shouted out Why dont you paint yourself white Shepherd and then you can be like the rest of themJohn Shepherd played for the West Indies and the Kent county side and hes one of the most gentle people on this earth However he stopped abruptly and turned to face the crowd with a withering glareI happened to be next to Shep and grabbed his arm and said You dont have to put up with thismdashlets leaveSheps arm was as firm as a steel rod but without redirecting his glare he simply said You keep going Ill be there in a minute Then as a reassurance he added There wont be any troubleHarmful effects of racismI had another experience of the harmful effects of racism in Jamaica in 1991 At a television forum the moderator introduced the subject of the ICC During my answer I said the power of veto that Australia and England held over ICC decisions was a disgrace and shouldve been abolished long agoNot anticipating that anybody in the audience would even be aware there was a power of veto I was staggered when the crowd burst into applauseThis made of mockery of the standard reply from Australian cricket administrators The power of veto has never been used so why would it upset anyone This is the sad reality of racism what is implied often cuts deepestCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news