Darren Sammy Calls Out Indian Cricketers For Racism, Ishant Sharma’s Racist Post Resurfaces

Several celebrities have spoken in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement taking place in the United States. There were also many who were called out for their hypocrisy because while on one hand, they condemned the racism, on the other hand, they endorsed fairness products. This went on to highlight most of India’s ingrained preference for fair skin.

Racist tendencies in our very own country were further highlighted by West Indies cricketer Darren Sammy who in the past has also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL, reports Outlook.

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A post shared by Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) on Apr 15, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT

In a video, he called out Indian cricketers, who were his teammates in Sunrisers Hyderabad, for calling him names like ‘Kalu’ – a derogatory term for people with dark skin.

“I was listening to Hasan Minhaj talking about how some of the people in his culture view or describe black people. I was angry after listening to him describing a word that they use to describe black people, which he was saying is not in a good way and it was degrading. Instantly I remembered when I played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 and 2014, I was being called the exact same word that he described,” Darren Sammy said in the video.

He added that at the time, he didn’t understand the meaning and thought it was a term meant to praise him. He went on to demand an apology from his ex-teammates for their behavior, reports NDTV.

“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. 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.”

Have a look at his video here:

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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

A post shared by daren (@darensammy88) on Jun 8, 2020 at 1:18pm PDT

Later, Chris Gayle went on to tweet in support of Darren Sammy’s claims:

It’s never too late to fight for the right cause or what you’ve experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it’s in the game!! ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 https://t.co/w7btmQ3cYf

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) June 9, 2020

According to Times Now, Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel had denied witnessing any act of racism within the Hyderabad camp.

But soon after the video released, fans went on a social media investigation and found a post made by Ishant Sharma back in November 2014, calling Darren Sammy as ‘Kaluu’.

Have a look at Ishant Sharma’s IG post here:

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Me, bhuvi, kaluu and gun sunrisers

A post shared by Ishant Sharma (@ishant.sharma29) on May 14, 2014 at 9:18am PDT

There are times when we stand up against social injustices but fail to realise our very own institutionalised prejudices. Instead of playing the blame-game, let us all reject discriminatory tendencies, apologise to people whom we have hurt, and try to do better.

Like Joaquin Phoenix said in his Oscar speech, “We’re at our best when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for our past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow. When we educate each other; when we guide each other to redemption.”