NEW DELHI: The South Asian diaspora in the UK often becomes the victim of “casual racism” but it can’t be compared to what the Black community has to endure in everyday life, feels former England spinner of Indian origin Monty Panesar.
Speaking to PTI, Panesar said the racial profiling of the Black community has to end in his country and the authorities should prepare a five-year plan to eradicate the menace.
“If someone is driving a fancy car here with tinted windows and he happens to black, he is six times more likely to be stopped by the police than others. So, the fear of the cops is in the everyday life of the Black community here.
“That is what my Black friends tell me. They go to a supermarket store, the general mindset is that he could be here for shoplifting. If I keep something in my pocket, there won’t be added attention but they go through constant tension of being caught even though they have not done anything,” said Panesar, who took 167 wickets in 50 Tests.
Like the rest of the cricketing community, the 38-year-old too was moved by the stirring speech delivered by West Indian great Michael Holding against racism on day one of the first Test at Southampton.
“There should be a five-year plan for accelerated change. If no changes are made after giving speeches, then there is no point. The speech that Michael Holding gave, I have not seen anyone else delivering a message so powerfully like he did. He hit the nail on the head.
“And what better way to end racism than through cricket, through sport,” said Panesar, whose parents migrated to England from India in the 1970s.
Having been born and brought up in England, Panesar said he and his community have experienced casual racism but the blacks have had it a lot tougher than them.
–PTI

Press Trust of India