'George Headley was not considered suitable for captaincy because he was black. Jack Grant was made captain of a team that included George, and turned to him for advice' © The Cricketer International

The history of West Indies cricket does, though, have a backdrop of racism. In the process of doing the research for a thesis that explores the autobiographies of West Indian cricketers, I have come across several manifestations of the racism that contrived to keep talented players off teams at club and national levels; that allowed those of the ‘correct’ colour to gain easy entry and leadership positions; that gave privileges and denied opportunity to countless citizens of the West Indies. And this was what happened internally, West Indian to West Indian. This does not yet touch on the racism encountered when playing away.

George Headley was not considered suitable for captaincy because he was black. Jack Grant was made captain of a team that included George, and turned to him for advice. Jack conceded that he knew it was because he was white that he was made captain.

"I affirm that I was aware that I was a white man. Unmistakably, therefore, I was colour conscious,” he wrote in his autobiography. “Also I was aware that in the prevailing circumstances of the day I, as a white man, had advantages which a black man was unable to have. Take the captaincy of the team. I was younger than all of the sixteen players, save three; and most of these sixteen had already played for the West Indies, while I had not. Yet I was the captain. It could not be disputed that my white colour was a major factor in my being given this post.”

Frank Worrell was only made captain because there was a massive movement at the time towards nationalism; CLR James campaigned relentlessly that Gerry Alexander should never lead a team on which Frank Worrell was a member.

Worrell himself was shocked by the aloof and unsociable behaviour of the touring M.C.C. team in 1954, writing that, "Never once, however, did the members of the M.C.C. party show that they wanted our hospitality, and their attitude distressed us beyond words." Yet, the touring party was itself being besieged by white West Indians, wrote the team manager, Charles Palmer. "Every day on the tour we were being invited to social functions, invariably with the white people, and it was difficult to refuse. All the time they would be saying to us, ‘For God’s sake, beat these people, or our lives won’t be worth living.’ It became a big millstone round our neck. We were almost afraid to talk to a white person. We knew what they were going to say. We wanted to win, but not for them. After a while it ate into our souls."

So the cricketers had to take the racism from within and without.
That man, Viv Richards would write about how it made the team grimly determined to beat England in 1976 after Tony Greig said he would make them grovel. It had come just after the tour of Australia, where they had been surprised by the hostility of the verbal abuse. The "friendly rivalry" that was revealed in shouts of "You f**k off, you black bastard!" left the team stunned, wrote Richards. In defence of pace, he said, "I can and will accuse them of wanting to see this particular race of people, from the West Indies, being put down."

Richards, as many other West Indian cricketers noted in their autobiographies, defined West Indian spectators as people who loved cricket, knew about it, and talked about it vociferously, but good naturedly. That they would hurl racial abuse to teams seemed unimaginable.

When India visited the Caribbean in 1962, the tension between Afro- and Indo-Guyanese was heightened by the political situation at the time. Frank Birbalsingh observed them at Bourda and noted how they managed it at cricket. "One ploy, when faced with Afro-Guyanese gloating over West Indian dominance, was the Indo-Guyanese riposte: “Man, is wha’ yuh talking? When yuh all can sen’ a team from Africa, den yuh can talk.” But it was good-natured enough banter.

When South Africa toured in 2001, Ntini had already so warmed the hearts of West Indians that spectators pleaded with him as he attacked the West Indies’ batting. “Ntini, don’t forget you’re one ah we,” an Indian man had called out, begging him to show mercy at Queen’s Park Oval.

It is a strange thing, that in a region where racism has been so rampant for so long in such influential ways, there is little enough of it on display at cricket for me to have seen its brutish head sitting in the stands, stands or at the grounds, like Peter, Rahul and Neil have described. There have been reports in the past that attempted to pin bottle throwing on racial factors. Those reports have been scanned and found leaky.

If anyone can tell otherwise, I would be interested to hear it. Like Viv Richards, I know that there is a lot of hypocrisy and racism out there, especially in the inner sanctums of controllers. It hasn't gone away, it's just come off the field.

Great article!!!!! I was at the Mecca (I am Barbadian!!) for the botttle thowing incident, and athough I still do not condone the actions taken by my country men, I can say that I am 100% sure that it was not racially driven.

I too was a Kensington that day, and can say, it was, without doubt, NOT racially driven; outside of the cricket field racism exist like a prominent sore, a cloud on a clear cricket day; but on the field cricket is cricket. I always find your articles informative and great

Anyone who has travelled to the Carribean and elsewhere to watch a cricket international will know this. Possibly the best place in the world, as a visitor of any colour, to watch International cricket as a person in the stands. Funnily enough, the UK is a pretty good place too these days, since the authorities got tough.

I’m Afro Caribbean living in the U.S. It baffles me that the Windies were in Australia right before SA and SL, but they never complained about any racist taunts, taking into consideration the media frenzy over racial abuse during the VB series. I would firmly dismiss any hints that White Australia may have more respect for the Windies, hence sparing them from any verbal attacks. Instead I believe it comes from the WI players’ innocence of our place in history and the social stratification that affects us globally. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Windies players were abused. The bad thing is (as a West Indian) they were probably not aware of the terms coined which were directed at them. For example, the average WI player would not know what the term, “Kaffir” means. It’s a sad case in Australia, but a good one in that it was exposed. It’s disappointing that these idiots in the crowd have failed to realize how small the world has become. Come 07, these same idiots might be in the Caribbean having a ball of a time, being warmly welcomed by the color-blinded West Indians.

On the matter of racism in cricket - is sledging to be consided any differently? Frankly I think sledging goes a long way towards promoting racism.

Who can forget Lord Relator's song about "Gavaskar, the Real Master..."? It made me so proud as an Indian, and also made me admire the West Indians as genuine cricket/fun lovers. I have heard about the crowds in Sabina Park baying for 'blood', but of course, it was never malicious. The Trini Posse is always a delight, and I can't remember the name of the guy who dressed up in drag, he was such fun. That's one place I would like to watch cricket in. 2007 beckons!

I recall a comment by Viv Richards when he took over the captaincy that the West Indian team respresented the Afro-Caribbean people. Coincidence or not, only one player of Indian descent played during this period (Ranji Ninan). Major histories of West Indian cricket, including Michael Manley's History of West Indian Cricket make little or no mention of the Indian influence. Alvin Kallicharan too often spoke of being discriminated against by the West Indian authorities. It is perhaps ironical that today it is this community which is responsible to a large extent for keeping cricket alive in the Caribbean.

The first time i got a feel for the w.indian cricket fans was when i read gavaskar's memories of his inaugral tour when large cash was shoved in his pocket when he hit a century.This genorosity and exhuberance caught my fancy.I am really looking forward to the forth coming World cup when i can sit in one of the stands with the islanders and take in the sheer joy.I am hoarding my spare cash for this trip.Hope i some how make it.
The land of Sobers, Richards,Holding.Wesly hall,Greenidge,Lloyd,Kanhai, Lara and so many more who have gives us joy in the cricket field has to be a wonderful place.

Hi

Super article; as a young man, I was a great fan of the Autsralian team with Norman O'Neill being my particular favourite; and yet, I had never left the shores of India. Cricket is a fabulous game, and racism is just not CRICKET!

Great article, really shows the sporting racism in the West Indies is something that is like holding them back

There is no racism in the Caribbean stands. In sport in general and more so in cricket spectators share a common foe. Football may be a blitz of intense passion but cricket teaches patience, understanding and discipline. Its sustained drama of a stage play in real life, helps to develop strength of character and creates heroic stories of will and grit. The cricket fan lives through these moments and becomes himself (or herself as in Vaneisa Baksh) conscious of being part of something transcending ordinary life. We share internal and sometimes, outrageously expressive external emotional levels. At times like these there are no differences.

Ms.Baksh at her eloquent best! As a club cricketer myself, Vaneisa has hinted and pointed to some very poignant issues affecting Caribbean cricket on the whole. One may go even further to suggest that a new type of prejudice may have crept in at the board level and could possibly explain the WI's current state.... financial prejudice (preventing those with money from helping)

Ramon

I am an Guyanese of Indian descent.At numerous cricket matches i attended there is a common passionate support for the west indies or guyana. Guyanese in my generation have do not see race as a factor in which team they support,regardless of the racial composition of the team.

As a fan of West Indian cricket and the bohemian image ( hard drinking, especially rum which is a favourite of yours truly)I feel the proof of the pudding is in the eating viz. the forthcoming World Cup in 2007. If all things go well, I should be there with fellow rummers and partake in the fun. Till then, let the arguments go on!

Thank you for an article that identify the passion in a people to assert themselves in a world where some still harbour a sense of superiority. Cricket has found a way to display that no nation or race is superior to others. Every race and every nation has had their moments of glory in success and gloom in defeat when it comes to cricket.Those who are still shouting racial slurs can be helped out of their muddy state of mind when they read articles such as you wrote.

Racism is as natural and rampant in all parts of the world as ethinicity of a group of people. It exists in all forms and happens everyday. To say it does not occur on the cricket grounds is to deny the obvious. My experiance is otherwise.Recently throwing a brick at the bus carrying Pakistani team in Bharat is one incident that comes to my mind and of course there are many more. You cannot change human nature.

Racism is as natural and rampant in all parts of the world as ethinicity of a group of people. It exists in all forms and happens everyday. To say it does not occur on the cricket grounds is to deny the obvious. My experiance is otherwise.Recently throwing a brick at the bus carrying Pakistani team in Bharat is one incident that comes to my mind and of course there are many more. You cannot change human nature.