I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE EQUALITY IN MY TIME

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MICHAEL HOLDING West Indies legend

- NEERU BHATIA

Michael Holding has never pulled his punches, be it on the field, in the commentary box or with a pen. In his latest book, the former West Indies pacer takes on a different beast—racism. Through immaculate research and factfinding, Holding calls out incidents of racism over the years, all over the world, especially in the US and England.

If the sight of a tall, light-footed Holding running in to bowl is imprinted in many minds, so, too, will be the image of him breaking down on that wet Thursday in Southampton last July. The West Indies were playing England soon after the murder of George Floyd in the US. The players had taken a knee, and Holding said on air: “I know what my parents went through. My mother’s family stopped talking to her because her husband was too dark. I know what they went through, and that came back to me immediately.”

Growing up, Holding had been oblivious to racism; he had not seen it in Kingston, Jamaica or experienced it on the field; it was only when he walked the streets of other countries as a grown-up that he saw it.

The book is not just about how the issue of racism has been brought to the fore through the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, but also traces the history of racism, and tells the younger generation that this issue can no longer be brushed under the carpet.

During research, Holding also spoke to sporting legends such as Usain Bolt, Naomi Osaka, Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson and Makhaya Ntini to get their insights into the issue.

In an interview with THE WEEK, Holding not only spoke about the process of writing the book, but also made an impassioned plea to change society. Excerpts:

Q/ How difficult was it to put down in words all your thoughts on racism?