I liked Quinton de Kock’s statement regarding his decision to not take the knee prior to South Africa’s game against the West Indies.
I liked it because it seemed, to me, sincere in its attempt to explain the thought process behind the decision, and in the regret de Kock felt for causing hurt.
It’s not that I completely agree with de Kock, or that this is the statement I’d have made in his position – but were I in his position I’d have had my own reasons, and my own explanation for my actions.
De Kock’s explanation seems authentically his: insofar as it’s possible to accurately discern the honesty of someone you’ve never met and have no knowledge of besides his cricketing ability, I reckon he’s being honest.
What’s more, I strongly sympathise with his immediate reaction to Cricket South Africa’s sudden command that all South African players take the knee.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
I’d have had the same reaction myself – even though I do and always have approved of sportspeople taking the knee as a gesture of protest.
In fact, without the benefit of the private discussions with CSA administrators that have convinced de Kock the order was reasonable, I remain of the opinion that CSA has made a bad call here.
I think it’s only fair that, amid all the discussion about what Quinton de Kock should or shouldn’t have done, to turn that question on to Cricket South Africa itself: to ask, what should the organisation have done, or not done?
Most people seem to have accepted that CSA should’ve done what it did – that is, order all its players to take the knee before games. That it was right to do so, perfectly justified to make the command.
But here is where I have to depart from the consensus. Regardless of the wisdom of de Kock’s actions, I believe CSA should not have ordered their players to take the knee, and that their action in doing so is a greater error than any the wicketkeeper might’ve committed.
This is not because I think taking the knee is a bad thing, or because I think racism is a good thing – although as de Kock himself does, I have to accept that people will interpret my motivations in whatever way they choose, whether I deny them or not.
The reason I oppose CSA, or any sporting body, making a gesture such as knee-taking mandatory is simply this: a person who chooses to make a public statement can have power; a person who is ordered to make a public statement has none.
(Photo by Christiaan Kotze / AFP via Getty Images)
CSA tells its players to take the knee. The players do. So what was the point? Have the players made a stand against racism by taking the knee? No, they have not.
Had they been given the choice to take the knee or not, and decided themselves to do so, that would’ve been making a stand. But they were given no choice.
‘Kneel or be sacked’, they were told. So where is the power in that? Where is the message of anti-racism? The only message being given is that employees will obey their employer.
In all likelihood, the members of the South African team who took the knee after being ordered to are opposed to racism.
But the fact they took the knee tells us nothing either way about their views. All it tells us is that they didn’t want to be dropped.
By making the command that all players must take the knee, CSA has not just made life hard for any player who doesn’t want to – which presumably was their intention anyway.
It has robbed any player who did want to of the entire point and meaning of doing it in the first place.
Every South African player who might have wished to express his personal opposition to and hatred of racism is now unable to: he can no longer be a human with a voice, all he can be is an employee with a duty.
Maybe Quinton de Kock should have taken the knee. But far worse than the fact he didn’t, is the fact that he was told he had to.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Do you have any facts to back up your claim that every black community in South Africa suffers from racism? I mean if that’s the case it must be endemic and institutionalised. Since the ANC have been in power for 26 years are they to blame?
Keith Griffen
Guest
The issue is not much has been done in 25+ years
Morsie
Roar Rookie
"The invocation of 'structural racism' in political argument is both a bluff and a bludgeon. It is a bluff in the sense that it offers an 'explanation' that is not an explanation at all and, in effect, dares the listener to come back." – Glenn Loury
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
“You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.” ― Nelson Mandela
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” ― Nelson Mandela
Morsie
Roar Rookie
You need to read and listen to a much wider range of opinions, especially from some of the leading black intellectuals in the US, and especially listen to some facts surrounding black deaths in the US and no doubt in South Africa almost entirely at the hands of other black men - so if maybe their lives should start to matter to themselves first. Virtue signaling is just another form of status, and anti-racism just another religion.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Even a cursory glance at the news over the past few years would tell you that the protest is about recognizing and opposing racial discrimination. An end date would depend on concrete societal change, so don't hold your breath. While I assume your description of "special needs" was probably not meant to refer to mental illness, it was still meant to diminish those who are acting out of good conscience. And to accuse me of making pot shots after you made such a remark is hypocritical... Every time I comment on something political on this site, I regret it. I come here for the sport and get frustrated when I end up in these debates, regardless of how firmly I believe in what I am saying (in fact, that only adds to the frustration). I'm not going to erase what I typed at the start of this, but I'm not going to add to it either, now or later. I'll happily engage with you (or anyone else reading this) about sports, but I won't respond to this thread. Cheers.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Not at all. Rather than have a shot at me can you answer those questions?
Ravi
Roar Rookie
It is clear that many on this site are from a generation that embraced racist attitudes and behaviours. Some have improved but too many use these forums to express their ignorance. Change will require a choice to be better from each individual and some will never make that choice. The world is leaving them behind and they are increasingly resentful as seen in their posts.
Ravi
Roar Rookie
All of them -as if you have a clue what that would be like - mindless deflection. Question; what did the two who liked this inane question like about it?
Keith Griffen
Guest
In a land where race and entitlement are sensitive 25 years post apartheid Not much has been done to redress the past especially where there a huge disparities economically. Laws may have changed but locals still can’t play rugby or cricket without being part of an elite system. Such historical instruments from the previous regime still linger. Taking the knee is the least that qdk can do. Did he take the knee against Australia? His actions are similar to what sa did When basil d oliveira played for England. Laws may have changed , the cultural context of SA has not changed. The past still lingers
Double Agent
Guest
Bush pig is an Australian slang term to describe an ugly woman. Has nothing to do with race.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Sure Paul. But from my personal experience, Perth isn't short of aborigines, and they NEVER seem to be interested in cricket as either players or spectators. So even in the large capital cities, with schools, clubs, facilities and organisations present, they don't seem interested in getting involved in the sport full stop, hence the cultural disconnect I was referring to.
Paul
Roar Guru
"There’s a cultural disconnect between aboriginals and cricket that I feel needs a lot of work to overturn" There's no cultural aspect to this, it's all about two things, people showing interest especially on communities and cost. I've spent decades working with Indigenous Australians in the NT and played with some outstanding Indigenous cricketers. They got into the game because someone led them to it, explained to rules, helped them learn to play and they took to it like ducks to water. Part of the reason why Aussie Rules is so popular on communities is because you only need a ball to play. No bats, no fancy safety equipment, no pitch, etc. In the Top End, Aussie Rules took off in a big way when the Christian Brothers brought the sport to the (then) missions. They stayed for decades, local people enjoyed playing and the game gained a strong foothold. If they'd taken cricket or Rugby League, I suspect exactly the same result would have happened.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Fair enough Jeff. I guess I was referencing sport and team selection policies, which I feel should reward the best players regardless of racial/ethnic background.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I'm not going to go back through my posts for you Micko. There all there clearly for all to see on the QdK articles. I will simply summarise by saying I have 100% taken a stance every time saying 1) I support QdK's - and every player's right - to make their on decision on this and 2) in no way should anyone infer that QdK is a raycist for not making a gesture. Can it be any clearer? "Why would you want any discrimination" and "what's the difference between positive discrimination and negative discrimination?" Are you familiar with our tax system Micko? The more you earn the more tax you have to pay, which is used to subsidise lower paid taxpayers for community services. That, Micko, is an example of positive discrimination. Or do you think everyone should pay the same rate of tax so there is no discrimination? Because that's not what you said a week ago. If you don't want any discrimination Micko, then you should lobby for the discounts that seniors card holders get when they get on a bus or go to the zoo, to be abolished. etc etc etc. Positive discrimination.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Where have you clearly opposed it then? Didn't you also say the buzz phrase "positive discrimination" to me a week or so ago? What is the difference between "positive" and "negative" discrimination? Why would you want ANY discrimination Jeff???
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Where have I said I support CSA’s quota system?
Micko
Roar Rookie
“anti-racism”…what the heck does that even mean? Why do you support organisations like CSA and their mandated racial quota system, which should see them banned from international cricket?! The hypocrisy is off the scale! :angry:
Micko
Roar Rookie
There's nothing to disagree about. The two scenarios are completely different. Aborigines have been completely alienated from cricket for around a 100 years. As a former umpire, player, and frequent visitor to the Waca/Optus Stadium to watch international and interstate cricket for nearly 30 years, one thing I have noticed Paul is no aborigine players or spectators present. Something that's even more noticeable as when I'm watching Australian football, whether the AFL or the WAFL, I see lots of aboriginal players, and there's always aboriginals present as spectators. Even though I'm not much of a rugby league fan Paul, 30 years of the NRL etc has shown plenty of aboriginals playing. There's a cultural disconnect between aboriginals and cricket that I feel needs a lot of work to overturn, and CA's model of engagement is far preferable to CSA's mandated racial quotas, which really should see them banned from international cricket!