An emotional Michael Holding broke down on-air while speaking about the issue of racism on Thursday, fighting back tears as he recalled the prejudice experienced by his parents.
Speaking to Sky News’ Mark Austin a day after his impassioned plea on Wednesday, where he gave a powerful message on the Black Lives Matter campaign during a rain break in the Southampton Test, Holding was moved to tears when speaking about the racism his parents were subjected to.
“To be honest, that emotional part came when I started thinking of my parents [on Wednesday],” Holding said. “And it’s coming again now. Mark, 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.”
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When asked by Austin if it is the moment where things change for the better, Holding said that he doesn’t expect things to change instantly, but hopes that things move in the “right direction.”
"I would hope that it's not just something that people have heard and they will just brush under the carpet"
Former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding says his emotive speech on race was unplanned, saying "I had it all pent up inside of me and I just had to say it" pic.twitter.com/6XH4Emf2Ic
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 9, 2020
“Well, it’s going to be a slow process, but I hope. Even if it’s a baby step at a time. Even a snail’s pace. But I’m hoping it will continue in the right direction. Even at a snail’s pace, I don’t care,” Holding replied.
One of the toughest men I know. And people still are'nt getting it. Amazing. https://t.co/Q1qanNQlSq
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 9, 2020
Holding also urged for better education on Black history, recounting his personal experiences with racism over the years.
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“I hope people understand exactly what I’m saying, and exactly where I’m coming from,” Holding said. “I’m 66 years old. I have seen it, I have been through it and I have experienced it with other people. It cannot continue like this – we have to understand that people are people.”
