Michael Carberry Reveals How Calling Out A Racist Slur Ended His County Career

Michael Carberry, former English international who made his debut during the 2013-14 Ashes series Down Under, has revealed how calling out a racist slid paved way for the end of his career in county cricket.

The recent George Flloyd murder at the hands of United States police has sparked a worldwide protest and black people from different walks of life are coming forward to share years of racism that they have suffered.

Michael Carberry, who has featured in county clubs like Hampshire, Surrey has now revealed how confronting a coach for a racist slur proved to be the end of his stint in that club.

“I’ve almost come close to making a coach spit 32 out on the ground for stuff that he said to me,” he said. “‘I couldn’t see you in the dark’ and ‘What are the brothers having tonight? Bit of fried chicken and rice and peas tonight?’ I had to drag him out on the balcony and say ‘Listen, let me ask you something mate. How much time have you spent in Black company?’ Michael Carberry said on Cricket Badger podcast.

“And he literally wet his pants. He literally hung his head like a little child. Bear in mind, I’m putting my career [on the line], and it probably ended up being the final nail in my coffin in that club. I won’t name the club. But these are the things you have to weigh up when you things like this in your company.” Michael Carberry added.

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Michael Carberry on the dilemma that black cricketers have to deal with throughout their careers

Racism is not a new phenomenon in cricket. Like other facets of life, it has always been a part of the set-up. According to Carberry, it is something that black or people of color have to deal on a regular basis. He also added that cricketers who are in the set-up always have to deal with the dilemma of calling out a racist slur or staying quiet for the sake of their career.

“If you ask Moeen [Ali] and Rash [Adil Rashid] about their issues in the game, understandably they are not going to come out and say, because they are in the set-up. This is the decision most Black people and people of colour have to make all the time. This thing is eating you inside every single day with what you hear in dressing rooms, what you see, the stuff people get away with and say to you,” Michael Carberry added.

“Can you see how unfair it is that someone on the daily has to keep accepting that stuff? I think other players who laugh it off want acceptance, they don’t want to get dropped, or put a left hook on that guy. Not hit him, but have a harsh word with him and say ‘Listen, mate, don’t ever say that to me again’, because that guy may have a massive powerful influence in the team. If you rub that person up the wrong way, that’s you done, that’s your career done. Everything you’ve worked towards, you’re done. Things circulate. ‘Carberry’s a bit fiery. The temperamental Black man. The angry Black man.’” Michael Carberry added.

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