T20 World Cup 2021: West Indies T20I skipper Kieron Pollard has opened up on the recent buzz around the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, as he asserts that ‘education is the main weapon to put up a strong fight against racism.’ The Caribbean skipper’s reaction to the movement came a day after South Africa stumper-batsman Quinton de Kock refused to take a knee for BLM.
Lately, it’s been observed that cricketers and the team management have come forward in support of the movement and spread awareness. Initially, West Indies supported the movement followed by the England cricket team. In the match against Pakistan, team India was also seen taking a knee for BLM post which South Africa also issued directives for its players to take a consistent stand in all its T20 World Cup 2021 matches.
While several people at length and breadth of the internet have liked the gesture of teams extending their support for a cause, some have expressed their resentment over the stand as they believe that sport should be kept safe from the campaigns or religion.
Kieron Pollard in the post-match conference on Tuesday said that when people get educated they automatically understand the basic role behind any movement, though, he asserted that everyone has their own opinions and is free to exercise that.
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“You guys know our thoughts on this matter. It’s something that we feel strongly about as a team and as a people, as well, and we will continue to do it. Each and everyone has their own opinions on it, but as I’ve always said, once you’re educated and you understand, we will understand you doing it,” said Kieron Pollard.
“But I think education sort of is the key, and we don’t want anyone doing it for us in solitude or to feel sorry for us. However, I can only really comment more on Quinton de Kock once we’ve got a clearer picture,” Pollard said in the post-match interview.
Temba Bavuma, South Africa skipper, supported de Kock’s decision and said that the South African stumper batter is an adult and exactly know what to do and what not to.
“Quinton is an adult. He’s a man in his own shoes. We respect his decision. We respect his convictions,” said Temba Bavuma at a media interaction.
A strong rage has also begun among the people with one side occupied by those who strongly support the initiative while the other facet is taken by those who believe that cricket, being a sport, should not exercise any movement. Some even expressed that the sport should be free from any boundaries which include caste, religion and even any such campaign and movements.