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I didn’t know who Michael Holding was before reading this book, and I know almost nothing about cricket as a sport, but I really appreciate both his perspective and his willingness to speak out against racism and also explain why it’s so important that athletes be allowed to use their platforms to lobby for justice. If you find them to be a little too big or small, let us know and we can exchange them for another size. Although I now live in the US and so don't get the coverage of the game that allows me to listen to Michael's great contributions from the commentary box, I have heard him when I have been back in the UK and a thoughtful, insightful analyst he is. ICYOLA devoted a part of its season finale concert to the young unarmed African Americans who have been victimized by gun violence, particularly at the hands of police.
I’ve never really understood “Black history month” and it is only now that I realise just how much is being ignored. Such faithful resoluteness is worthy of both praise and honour despite our lack of tangible blessings that such reverence should bring. A book about the history of world racism, the experiences in particular of athletes of color, and a hopeful look towards the future.
His words on that rainy morning, where far from whispers, these powerful emotional words were heard all around the world and not just by the cricket community. He can work on a shoe string budget, with limited players and under difficult circumstances - he can even rock a Jesus beard like you wouldn’t believe. This book is a classic , one that will make you aware that inequality is a horrific reality and it is time to change that. Through conversations with athletes such as Thierry Henry, Hope Powell, Naomi Osaka, Makhaya Ntini, and others, he shines a light on everyday racism and how history erases contributions by Black people.
It also carries discussions with other sports stars about their struggles, achievements and activism, including Usain Bolt, another Jamaican; Naomi Osaka, tennis player who walked into the US Open wearing covid masks bearing the names of African-Americans killed by police; and many others who contacted him in response to his video comments. But that fear of the possible, the imaginary, can teach us a little about the very real events that have already happened and the real fear Black people live with. We had decided not to make any designs to mark this occasion but we have had so many requests for a design like this (from New Zealand Veterans too), that we felt honoured to oblige. Ahmaud was a 25-year-old Black American who was chased and gunned down by three white men in his neighborhood when he went out for a walk after dinner. As a parent to mixed race kids I thought I was pretty clued up with the subject, it turns out I didn’t know very much at all.The experiences of these athletes and others in the black community make for tough reading at times, but that doesn't dilute the message. Even though the Germans asked them not to fight for the oppressors, the 'Harlem Hellfighters' spent 191 days in the trenches, never lost a single foot of ground, and never had any prisoners taken. He worked hard, he was relentless at his craft and at every level from League Two to the Premier League he proved his mettle when many doubted his ability.
He was a superb fast-bowler who’s bowling could make grown men tremble, and is a very knowledgeable cricket commentator, so when I saw the short video piece he and fellow cricketer/commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent made in 2020 in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, with tears in their eyes and voices cracking, I was shocked. Holding argues himself, that the minute we being to become self-congratulatory or complacent around racism, is when it becomes an even more threatening problem. Teaches us the history we weren’t taught at school and shows white people not only where their unconscious bias stems from but how it affects those on the receiving end. What Holding brings to the discussion is, firstly, his unique perspective as one of the world's greatest bowlers and, secondly, a collaboration with other world leading athletes. I think people will read into anything though and you could make it refer to anything; for instance you could link it to first we clapped for the Nhs and now we kneel for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
He also talks about the history of Black people across the centuries till the present day and covers the recent violent incidents by the police against innocent Black people. Wharever the true version of history is correct will help stop this really sad racism that is happening every second in our world. To paraphrase that other great man, Martin Luther King, he said black people deserve not to be judged on the colour of their skin but the content of their character.
It will make you furious, it will make you angry, it will make you think, it will make you question the obvious. The core of the BLM movement is the racial biases against black people but the true essence is far deeper rooted.This book has taught me numerous things from attrocities across the globe to truly remarkable black people I have not heard of.
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