Watch: ‘Angry’ Darren Sammy alleges racism in IPL team SRH; wants answers, apology from players
By Team Newsable | First Published Jun 9, 2020, 11:46 AM ISTDarren Sammy has demanded an apology from his former teammates after alleging racism within the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team in the Indian Premier League (IPL)
Bengaluru: Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy has alleged that he was subjected to racist slurs in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) dressing room when he played the Indian Premier League (IPL). Now, Sammy has demanded apology from his former SRH teammates.
The 36-year-old Sammy took to Instagram to post a video where he narrated the incidents of him and Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera being called “Kalu” while playing for SRH.
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“So recently I discovered a word that I was being called was not what it actually meant I need some answers. So before I start calling out names I need these individuals to reach out and please tell me there’s another meaning to that word and when I was being called it,it was all in love. #blackandproud #blackandconfident #clarasboy #saynotoracism #stopracism #cricketer #stlucia (sic),” Sammy, who was with SRH in 2013 and 2014, wrote along with the four minutes and 59-second video.
“I just learnt what that ‘kalu’ meant when I played for Sunrisers in the IPL. They call me and Perera by that name. I thought it meant strong Stallion. My previous post tells me something different and I’m angry,” Sammy wrote on his Instagram story.
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“I have played all over the world and I have been loved by many people, I have embraced all dressing rooms where I have played, so I was listening to Hasan Minhaj (Indian-American comedian) as to how some of the people in his culture describe black people,” the World T20 winning captain said.
“This does not apply to all people, so after I found out a meaning of a certain word, I had said I was angry on finding out the meaning and it was degrading, instantly I remembered when I played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, I was being called exactly the same word which is degrading to us black people,” he added.
“I will be messaging those people, you guys know who you are, I must admit at that time when I was being called as that word I thought the word meant strong stallion or whatever it is, I did not know what it meant, every time I was called with that word, there was laughter at that moment, I thought teammates are laughing so it must be something funny,” Sammy said.
“Now, I realise it was degrading, I will be texting you guys and I will ask you as to when you called me with that name, did you all mean it in any bad way or form? I have had great memories in all my dressing rooms, so all those who used to you call me with that word, think about it, let's have a conversation, if it was in a bad way then I would be really disappointed. I would be still angry. I deserve an apology from you guys,” he added.
Sammy has spoken against racism in recent times after a black man died in police custody in the US. George Floyd passed away after a police officer kneeled on his neck. This has resulted in protests across America. Also, many sportspersons have spoken in support of black people.
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