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Monty Panesar Explains The Increase Racism In The UK
By CricShots - Jul 14, 2020 8:55 pm
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Former English spinner, Monty Panesar reckons that the South Asians in the UK have been exposed to “casual racism” in the UK quite frequently but it isn’t comparable to what the Black community has to endure in everyday life. During a recent chat with the PTI, Panesar said the racial profiling of the Black community need to come to an end in his country and the authorities should prepare a five-year plan to eradicate the menace.

Monty Panesar
Monty Panesar

Explaining the same, Panesar said, “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. 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.”

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Like the rest of the cricketing community, Panesar was moved by the stirring speech delivered by West Indian legend Michael Holding against racism on day one of the first Test at Southampton. Having born and brought up in England, Monty Panesar said he and his community have been victims of casual racism but the blacks have had it a lot tougher than them.

Michael Holding
Micheal Holding

Panesar explained, “The South Asian community also faces casual racism but nothing like what the Black community faces on a daily basis. Having said that, the Sikh community has been doing social work for decades and has been spreading the message of love and that people have appreciated and they love us back. But when I talk to my Black friends, they fear getting caught by the cops even though they have not done anything wrong. It is high time we stop stereotyping them.”

Former English pacer said he was never racially discriminated during his time with the national team.

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Recalling his time in the England team, Panesar said, “I was most worried about doing my job properly so that that I don’t get an earful from the captain. If you are in a team, naturally you would have more things in common with the members of your community (be it Hindu, Muslim, or Christian). But you must make the effort of mingling with all your teammates. It is very important in a team environment.”