Sarfraz Ahmed Racist Comments Discussion

[ankitj]

Don’t really see anything incorrect with what smali posted.

I think everyone agrees this was racist and deserves punishment. People are just trying to give the comment context, they shouldn’t be mistaken for being apologists.

Giving the context is fine. But 2nd para of that Smali post is distasteful. Shouldn't be on the board.

 

[Victor Ian]

I don't think it is distasteful to put some context into it - to try and make some understanding of it. I would only find it distasteful for someone to condone this.

It's neither my language, nor my culture, so I appreciate the perspective from people for who it is.

 

[Spark]

Giving the context is fine. But 2nd para of that Smali post is distasteful. Shouldn't be on the board.

idk about distasteful but i'm a bit baffled by it. in what way is what he described not absolutely typical and almost banal racism?

 

[Stefan9]

The apology is pathetic. Only sorry that the stump mic caught him out. And BS that wasn't direct at anyone, does he really think people are that stupid to believe that...

 

[smash84]

Giving the context is fine. But 2nd para of that Smali post is distasteful. Shouldn't be on the board.

Why exactly is it distasteful? I am just putting it into words instead of sweeping it under the carpet. Or would you like to just pretend that this doesn't happen in the sub-continent and that the cream 'fair and lovely' isn't a best seller? Pull your head out of your ass.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Nowhere near as bad as Darren Lehmann after being run out against Sri Lanka

 

[sledger]

idk about distasteful but i'm a bit baffled by it. in what way is what he described not absolutely typical and almost banal racism?

In no way.

 

[andmark]

Sarfraz's stupidity is something which strikes me here. Like how does an international sportsperson not know not to touch anything related to skin colour "with a barge pole"?

 

[OverratedSanity]

"My words were not directed towards anyone in particular". FFS, it was a sledge.

In the language " abey kaale " can only be used if you're literally directing it at someone in particular.

 

[smash84]

In the language " abey kaale " can only be used if you're literally directing it at someone in particular.

not only that, but also as if there were 20 other black folks batting out in the middle.

 

[weldone]

Yea that apology is very weird. It's not an apology at all - it's almost a veiled justification. Why can't he just say sorry to Andile? There's no need for 'why the stump mic was on' or 'how I almost did not say it' or 'I did not say it to anybody'.

Sarfraz is just being a *****.

 

[Cow Corner]

"My words were not directed towards anyone in particular". FFS, it was a sledge.

It wasn't actually a sledge, I don't think, given that he said it in Urdu. When Pakistanis/Indians want to sledge, they'll do it in English. I think it was more a joke to himself/the close in fielders around him.

 

[Burgey]

Yea that apology is very weird. It's not an apology at all - it's almost a veiled justification. Why can't he just say sorry to Andile? There's no need for 'why the stump mic was on' or 'how I almost did not say it' or 'I did not say it to anybody'.

Sarfraz is just being a *****.

It’s the “it’s ok to be white” of apologies isn’t it? Bloody terrible

 

[Migara]

The issue here is that calling some one a "black guy" in sub continent is not as the same as calling the same man a "******" in a white country. "Black guy" is a culturally accepted term, and "white guy" is used with more racist intent in the subcontinent than the former. "Yo mamma" taunts possibly as not as offensive in Australia as in sub continent. Cutural sensitivities also should be taken in to consideration IMO.

 

[StephenZA]

You realize this is SA, where the population is only 8% white? Which also has some pretty well documented history around racism....

 

[Migara]

You realize this is SA, where the population is only 8% white? Which also has some pretty well documented history around racism....

I may realize it, but don't think at the heat of the moment some players realize it. Especially when it is not regarded outright racist in your own culture, the threshold for such comments is very low for players.
Should Safraz be banned? I don't know. The comment was unnecessary and was moronic as a sledge. There are much better ways to sledge people. He could have walked up and asked "Man, how to you pronounce your name?" that would have wound up the man. It implies his name is crap, but you don't announce it directly.

 

[StephenZA]

I may realize it, but don't think at the heat of the moment some players realize it. Especially when it is not regarded outright racist in your own culture, the threshold for such comments is very low for players.
Should Safraz be banned? I don't know. The comment was unnecessary and was moronic as a sledge. There are much better ways to sledge people. He could have walked up and asked "Man, how to you pronounce your name?" that would have wound up the man. It implies his name is crap, but you don't announce it directly.

Which makes me wonder considering the almost immediate reaction by the people who understood what he had said.... that threshold should be low for all people, you can not make a part racist comment. It may not have been malicious still 100% racist.

And how you think asking how to pronounce his name would have wound Andile up is beyond me....

 

[TheJediBrah]

The issue here is that calling some one a "black guy" in sub continent is not as the same as calling the same man a "******" in a white country. "Black guy" is a culturally accepted term, and "white guy" is used with more racist intent in the subcontinent than the former. "Yo mamma" taunts possibly as not as offensive in Australia as in sub continent. Cutural sensitivities also should be taken in to consideration IMO.

Absolutely agree. Different things mean different things in different cultures.

 

[Burgey]

All well and good, but he wasn’t in the SC he was in SA addressing it to a black South African.

 

[TheJediBrah]

All well and good, but he wasn’t in the SC he was in SA addressing it to a black South African.

So you think when he crosses the ocean he magically becomes a South African as well and understands their culture and issues completely, forgetting his own culture and values in the process?