Recently retired Test batsman Ross Taylor says in an autobiography released on Thursday he experienced racism during his 16-year career in New Zealand cricket.
Taylor, who is of Samoan heritage, describes racist locker room “banter” and casually racist comments from some New Zealand team officials.
“Cricket in New Zealand is a pretty white sport,” Taylor writes in his book, entitled “Black & White.”
“For much of my career I’ve been an anomaly, a brown face in a vanilla line-up. That has its challenges, many of which aren’t readily apparent to your teammates or the cricketing public.”
The 38-year-old said many people assumed he was of Maori or Indian heritage because Pacific Island representation in New Zealand cricket is so rare. He said locker room banter sometimes was racist and hurtful but he was concerned that raising the issue might make the situation worse.
“In many ways dressing-room banter is the barometer,” Taylor writes.
“A teammate used to tell me ‘you’re half a good guy Ross but which half is good? You don’t know what I’m referring to.’ I was pretty sure I did.
“Other players also had to put up with comments that dwelt on their ethnicity. In all probability a (white New Zealander) listening to those sorts of comments would think ‘oh, that’s OK, it’s just a bit of banter.’
“But he’s hearing it as white person and it’s not directed at people like him. So there’s no pushback; no one corrects them.
“Then the onus falls on the targets. You wonder if you should pull them up but worry that you’ll create a bigger problem or be accused of playing the race card by inflating harmless banter into racism. It’s easier to develop a thick skin and let it slide, but is that the right thing to do?”
Taylor says a former manager and coach of the New Zealand team made comments that were unintentionally racist.
The manager told Taylor’s wife, Victoria, that in his experience players of Maori and Pacific Island heritage have problems managing money and offered his assistance.
“Let me be clear: I don’t think for one minute that they were coming from a racist perspective,” Taylor added.
“What to them is a bit of harmless banter is actually confronting for the targets because it tells them they’re seen as being different. Instead of the message being ‘you’re one of us, mate,’ it is, in effect, ‘you’re one of them’.”
A New Zealand Cricket spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald newspaper that the national body “deplores racism, is a staunch supporter of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission’s Give Nothing to Racism campaign and is deeply disappointed Ross has been exposed to this type of behaviour.”
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Germans are good at metallurgy The English are the funniest people ---------- I've just been Race Ists and no-one is offended. Why? Asking for Bill Burr.
sheek
Roar Guru
Most people of Pacifika heritage aren't good at cricket because they're mostly good at running into things, like other people. You don't do that in cricket. It's more subtle. But it's the same in Australia. Even though indigenous Aussies have both the physique & temperament for cricket, they shun the game. It is what it is.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Where in NZ did you go? How do you know you never came across a Maori? There are lots of very white looking Maori (Tony Brown, Shane Bond, Trent Boult etc).
White n proud
Guest
NZ cricket gave him a game didn't they? It seems rugby is all Pacific islanders nowadays, is that anti white? I was surprised when I was over in NZ and I never came across a Maori. Watching the rugby over the years I had assumed they were everywhere over there.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
'Taylor says a former manager and coach of the New Zealand team made comments that were unintentionally racist. The manager told Taylor’s wife, Victoria, that in his experience players of Maori and Pacific Island heritage have problems managing money and offered his assistance" -- This is rather confrontational from a white saviour's perspective. If *they* actually can manage their own finances, where does that leave some of us re our approach of setting in place guidelines, policies and regulations re controlling indigeneous minorties' financial management? Next thing we know, we'll have to abandon the approach of the cashless debit card for the one-size-fits-all indigeneous communities. Then where do we channel our energies? I recall a developing concept - nailed in its infancy thankfully - whereby all early 50s males living in Perth's south-east would be denied credit and be forced to use cashless debit cards as the only means of buying groceries. And also Spring seedlings from Bunnings. Thank goodness the majority-view prevailed and that didn't get up! I would have found that generic, blanket approach, rather insulting; leaving aside the feeling of being marganilised and persecuted. But I guess I shouldn't know any better; perhaps best to leave it to superior minds to tell me what's best for me re living my own life.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
:silly: or Mr Pink or Mr Black ? Mystery indeed . Oh as a culturally challenged South African I sincerely apologize for omitting Mr Brown . Damn and so sorry for my gender bias . It’s soo complicated.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I feel that a game of Guess Who, is in order. Do you wear glasses? And in true Cluedo-style; are you indeed Mr. White, in the Library with the candlestick?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Actually pretty good . Thanks for asking . Just a question of my own .. you are somehow assuming despite my profile of a canine that I’m white . Am I ?
Look in the mirror
Guest
Thanks white south African. How's life in a failed state?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
An article already one day old and so far 2 comments . Ross , who cares .. ? Just deal with it .
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Oh my, the things people write to sell their books
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Interesting read