Legendary West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has said education is key when it comes to making a meaningful change in the society with regards to racism. In a powerful documentary for Sky Cricket, Holding and former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent discuss racism in the sport and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Holding said the society has not gotten over the problem of racism yet and it’s important to acknowledge that Black lives matter in the current climate. The documentary and the subsequent interaction with Holding was aired in the lead up to the first Test between England and West Indies in Southampton on Wednesday.

“Education is important unless we want to continue the lives we are living. When I say education, I mean going back in history. This thing stems from a long time ago, hundreds of years ago. The dehumanisation of the black race if where it started,” Holding said while speaking about his documentary to Nasser Hussain on Sky Cricket.

“People will tell you, ‘that’s a long time ago. Get over it’. No, we can’t get over it like that. And society has not gotten over that.”

“If you don’t educate people, they’ll keep growing up in that sort of society and you’ll not get meaningful change.”

“Until we educate the entire human race, this thing will not stop.”

Michael Holding delivers a powerful message, explaining why #BlackLivesMatter. pic.twitter.com/2jiATkOqQ4

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2020

‘It can’t be a Black person’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem’

Rainford-Brent, speaking in the documentary, said that the society needs to understand that racism is not a Black person’s problem alone.

“It can’t be a Black person’s problem, I am putting that in inverted commas. It is everyone’s problem. We have got to have a society that’s representative. Honest conversations, opportunities,” the former cricketer, who was the first Black player in the England women’s team, said.

This is why it matters

@skysports #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/aSYlcThKP4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2020

Don’t shout back at us saying ‘All Lives Matter’: Holding

Holding was critical of the voices against the Black Lives Movement, saying Black people understand all lives matter but vice-versa is not true.

“Everyone is recognising it. Everyone is now coming alive and seeing the difference in treatment of people. We are all humans and I hope everyone understands this Black Lives Movement is not trying to get Black people above white people or above anyone else.

“It’s all about equality. When you tell somebody that ‘Black Lives Matter’ and they tell you white lives matter or all lives matter. Please…

“We Black people know ‘White Lives Matter. I don’t think you know that Black Lives Matter. So don’t shout back at us saying, All Lives Matter. It’s obvious. The evidence is clearly there that white lives matter. We want Black lives to matter now. As simple as that,” Holding said.

The death of an African-American man, George Floyd in police custody in the United States triggered protests across the globe against racism. The Black Lives Matter movement has garnered a lot of support over the last few weeks and the sporting fraternity has backed the campaign with their on-field support.

England and West Indies teams are expected to ‘take a knee’ after the toss that has been delayed in combined support of the Black Lives Movement.

Both England and West Indies players will be sporting Black Lives Matter logo on their Test kits in Southampton. The BLM logo that is being used in the Premier League was designed by Alisha Hosannah, the partner of Watford football club captain Troy Deeney. The logo has been approved for use by the International Cricket Council.