I put this hypothetical point to you though: what if it was Jayasuriya who'd been run out and stormed into the pavilion saying whatever the equivalent is in Sinhalese? We presume that 1.) No one else in the stand would understand, and 2.) because of 1.) there was really no offence to anyone.
And don't tell me that non-white players go about blithely sledging and draw the line on race. Whether they do it in English or not seems to be the crime.
It's supremely optimistic to think that the human mindset will not allow individual lapses in behaviour like this one. Lehmann is not racist, nor were the kids who beat my brother and me in schoolyard stoushes when we were the only two Chinese kids in the Sydney suburb bombarded with whatever racial slurs they could find. The words could have been used if Lehmann had stubbed his toe coming into he dressing room. Well, maybe one of the words.
OK, I'm a Lehmann apologist from the point of view of a man who has seen another man make a mistake, identify the mistake has been made, take his own measures to rectify the mistake with an unreserved apology (which was accepted), and move on.
It may be old fashioned but what's said in the sheds stays in the sheds. If one of the Sri Lankans had taken offence and called Lehmann outside THAT IS NOT MY BUSINESS. It's a gentleman's matter of honour.
Dear Daniel, Agreed cent percent that Lehmann's remarks were shameful and that he should have been charged under Level 4 of breach of conduct. But, I personally do not blame Lehmann because he's been brought up in a system that is probably "white" biased anyways. The problem is that we are all inherently racist and this stems from something that is very Darwinian: we are all looking for soemthing, a certain reason that we can base our superiority on. I am from India and we are by no means white, but within ourselves, our society is pretty racist too and I am pretty sure that within Sri Lankan society also exist those kinds of layers. My point is that all what Lehmann did does not make him a bad person. He might be a genuinely nice character. As an example, when India plays Pakistan, some of the Indian Muslims seem to support Pakistan, which is when some Indian supporters tend to go to the baser instincts and hurl racist abuses at the Muslims. But, for all it takes, these Indians might have very good friends who are Muslims. So, the upbringing and other such things tend to induce some racial bias in people when they are growing up and these people as adults tend to question the norms of the society, but being fallible, in a certain heat of the moment they blurt out something that they do not mean and actually very deeply regret after the incident. Lehmann might be a victim of this.
It is sad that supposedly "educated" people like Lehmann coul have a mentality such as this. This incident also proves the fact that the Australian cricket board is one of the most self centred & selfish bodies. This, along with the Mark Waug & Shane Warne bookie episode, shows that they don't really care whether their players are damaging the spirit of the game. It's time the Aussie board is taken into account by the international cricket community.
Daniel Laidlaw makes a lot of sense, and says all the things that should be said.
As usual, Indian columnists are spineless and helpless to write anything about it. How I wish even one Indian journalist in a country of one billion could have made some sensible comments like the ones made in Laidlaw's column. The issue affects them far more than it does Laidlaw (and Malcolm Knox, who wrote in the Guardian), but they are unwilling to move a finger to speak in favor of Lankan neighbors. This issue can, and is, affecting Indian cricketers too.
But I don't think Indian journalists have too much time to spare, seeing as how much they see a need to beat up on the Indian cricketers, like the juvenile fools that they are.
This is perhaps the most honest article written on this subject. Its interesting to note that none of the Australian cricketers nor the Australian cricket authorities think that there is anything wrong with what he said. Everyone says that there was no racial angle. I think frustration does not bring out racism. He was run out and given so by the third umpire. There was no reason for him to be angry in the first place. There was nuthing wrong with the decision. I think a life ban on Lehmann is the way to go.
Hello.. I agree with the writer's view. Basically, it is the mentallity of the people which will have to be changed. What I believe is that if you respect anyone, the other one is more prone to respect you. As it may seem obvious, the asian countries which is predominantly poor, are not being taken seriously by the western countries especially in the field of sports. I am really not sure whether this punishment will make Lehmann a better man. I think he will become more aggressive towards the Srilankans or may for whole of the subcontinent region. I do believe, however, that people will use more sensible language after this incident. But will this be good enough: You think that you are a "*******" and you use some politically correct langauge. I think everybody should introspect and change the way how we treat other. I agree that we need aggression in the sports but not at the cost of racial descrimination. It is a serious blow to the morale of people like Murali...
I wish things would improve in due course of time..
Its sad that Murali has been treated thus by the Ozies. But what more can one expect from their roots (they are originally banished thieves who settled in a place called Australia) !
Its not just the Australians - on an average we have started to enjoy the game much like spectators in Roman amphitheatres cheering on gladiators. The gore and ruthlessness please us way more than technique and strategy. We enjoy 'comprehensive' victories rather than 'close contests'. Its another excuse to let beast in the hearts out - sportsmanship and gentlemanly behaviour be damned.
