‘I Don’t Think I Would Be Alive If I Grew Up In The UK’- Says Michael Holding On Racism

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding, who is always frank and never misuses words, is at it again, stating he would have never grown up in England. This courageous remark from Holding is a no-brainer, as he is undoubtedly the top voice when it comes to racism in society and sport.

Holding’s remarks come just a few days after the ECB suspended England bowler Ollie Robinson for his previous tweets as a youngster. Not just Robinson, but other allegations indicated that additional players were involved, and the ECB undertook investigations.

Unsurprisingly, several former players, like Michael Vaughan and Michael Carberry, were furious. Moreover Holding and Ebony Rainford-Brent the international former England woman discussed racism extensively.

The former legendary West Indies bowler delivered a strong four-minute speech in which he discussed how society still does not appreciate the black and always judges individuals based on their skin color.

“I don’t think I would be alive today. As a young man, I was a bit fiery. I kicked a stump out of the ground in New Zealand (1980) so can you imagine me going through what Ebony went through?”

“No, I would not have made it,” Holding stated this while referring to what former England women international Ebony Rainford-Brent went through as a child in the UK.

‘I have experienced the racism across the world, except in Jamaica’- Michael Holding

Before stepping into the commentary in England, the former fast bowler, who grew up in Jamaica, stated that he had never faced racism in his own country. In reality, Holding stated that after leaving Jamaica, he experienced racism all around the world.

“Growing up in Jamaica, I didn’t experience racism. I experienced it every time I left Jamaica. Each time I experienced it I just told myself ‘this is not your life, I will soon be going back home”.

“And if I had made a stand my career would not have lasted as long as it did, I would not have had a long television career. We have seen through history that black people who stand up for their rights and call out injustice are victimized.”

The 67-year-old has also written a book on racism “Why We Kneel, How We Rise”, which will soon be out in the market.