Quinton de Kock has apologised to his South Africa teammates and the team’s fans after withdrawing from their T20 World Cup game against the West Indies because of his refusal to take the knee.
De Kock issued a statement on Thursday morning, two days after rebuffing a directive from Cricket South Africa stating all players must take part in the anti-racism gesture for the rest of the tournament.
“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home,” he said. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example.
“If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so,” De Kock added.
De Kock went on to explain that some of his family members are non-white, but he felt his own “rights” were taken away by CSA’s order that was disclosed to him on the morning of the opening game.
“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused,” he added. “For those who don’t know, I come from a mixed-race family. For me, black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement.
“The rights and equality of all people is more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important. I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told.
“Since our chat with the board last night, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of their intentions as well. I wish this had happened sooner, because what happened on match day could have been avoided.”
De Kock added: “If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society. Those who have grown up with me and played with me, know what type of person I am.
“I’ve been called a lot of things as a cricketer but those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.”
The wicketkeeper-batter went on to praise the leadership of Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s first permanent black captain, and concluded his statement by saying he would like to be back in the team if they would accept him.
He said: “I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba. People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader. If he and the team, and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”
"Ha ha... he's called "de Kock!!""
Right, that's done, now focus on the topic.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
a directive from Cricket South Africa stating all players must take part in the anti-racism gesture for the rest of the tournament.
Ah, yes. Taking a knee as ordered to show rejection of a concept, unity, solidarity, and enforced penitence. As a side effect, it also (temporarily) placates the snowflakes.
Taking a knee has about as much effect against racism as 'thoughts and prayers' have any benefit to the victims of violent crime, natural disasters, or the deatb(s) of loved ones from COVID. But it makes someone feel good, so by all means genuflect when commanded to do so. -"BB"-
Yes, I suppose I could agree with you ... but then we'd both be wrong, wouldn't we?
Taking a knee has about as much effect against racism as 'thoughts and prayers' have any benefit to the victims of violent crime, natural disasters, or the deatb(s) of loved ones from COVID.
As for the OP, I do not believe that an employer has (nor should have) the right to tell an employee to do any political act, whether it is taking a knee or wearing a MAGA hat or storming the Capitol (of course there may be some differences if you work for a political organization, like a campaign organization).
But then this is in South Africa and I don't know what their law is there.
Taking a knee has about as much effect against racism as 'thoughts and prayers' have any benefit to the victims of violent crime, natural disasters, or the deatb(s) of loved ones from COVID.
Then why does it bother the racists so much?
You mean like thoughts and prayers annoys others? It is notably a 2 way street.
Taking a knee has about as much effect against racism as 'thoughts and prayers' have any benefit to the victims of violent crime, natural disasters, or the deatb(s) of loved ones from COVID.
Then why does it bother the racists so much?
Because it causes them to think about it and feel uncomfortable for a couple of seconds.
Of course, being good little Klansmen, they quickly push it back out of their minds, the same way rednecks at NASCAR races can stand for the National Anthem and sing it out, loud and proud ... but before the last reverberation of "the home of the brave" has ceased they're back to waving their Confederate flags again. -"BB"-
Yes, I suppose I could agree with you ... but then we'd both be wrong, wouldn't we?
Personally, I'd prefer the bowed head and the raised fist
It's rather odd that one man's protest against racism in the USA by kneeling instead of standing during the singing of the national anthem has become an international "thing" in which various leagues and ruling athletic bodies mandate compliance. A sort of awkward Busby Berkeley circle of Premier League players for 5 4 3 2 1 seconds on one knee doesn't seem to do much for anyone either way AFAIK. But it doesn't hurt I guess.
"The" problem is rarely the players - it's the people who run the leagues and competitions who should be out there kneeling. But they are not. They are the ones who perpetuate bias in team selection - and it's an always vicious element of the audience/crowd who who perpetuate racist chants and abuse. They don't kneel either.
Should players be forced to comply with directives like this? Well, they know that if they don't, in the case of national teams, they won't get picked to play if they don't comply. CSA can certainly see to it that Quinton didn't play again for the national team if they so desire. I don't think they can interfere with professional teams for whom he plays.
I expect that wouldn't be true of Premier League footballers - their own league is complying with FIFA/UEFA instruction. But no amount of standing up and refusing to kneel would cause the big stars to be dropped - so I believe they kneel because they want to kneel in support of the correct notion that there is, as the TV announcers relentlessly remind us, "no room for racism in sport".
The other odd thing is that sport is the one area where racism has become (almost) a thing of the past. At least in areas where I watch sport. Now F1 - Hamilton is clear that the sport is a hotbed of racism. But British soccer . . . the days when a black player was a novelty are long long gone. The old eastern European nations . . . not so much. In South Africa, rugby is no longer for hefty white guys only. But do black kids here get to play rugby with the same facilities and potential benefits that the white kids do? - not so much.
Kneeling doesn't change selection policies, nor does it change schools where sports are inculcated in the young. There's a lot more to be done and I hope Quinton de Kock remains a part of expanding opportunity for all
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Meade--I recall a line from Mississippi Burning: "You know why I love baseball? It's the only place where a black guy can swing a stick at white guys and not get lynched".
@W, do thoughts really annoy people? I understand some may be offended by prayers, but thoughts (especially good ones)?
