Indian Opener Abhinav Mukund Takes A Powerful Stand Against Racism, Comes Up With A Strong Social Message
No doubt, racism is one of the biggest enemies of mankind. Wherever we go, we see racism around us. But many believe that sport is a concept of a place where racism cannot enter. But there were many situations when the sportsperson became victim to it. Racism has been an ever-present deterrent in the lives of sportspersons, be it cricket, football or any other game.
Over the years, we have seen a lot of sportspersons across the world coming out and condemning it. And now, Indian cricket team opener Abhinav Mukund, who is currently touring Sri Lanka became the latest one to join the list.
Hence, Abhinav Mukund took to the micro blogging site Twitter to express his views on one of the gravest grounds of biasing in the society, the racism. He posted an emotional message on Twitter expressing his displeasure over few racial attacks.
This is an issue I have wanted to address for a while now. Finally got the chance to put it down [1/2]
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017
I hope this can result in a change in our mindsets ! #Fairisnttheonlyhandsome [2/2]
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017
After being abused on social media for his skin tone, Mukund shared the below message on Twitter. He said, “fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome” and also expressed his desire to change the mindset of the people towards it. He also posted a long note on his account stating how he faced lewd remarks for his dark skin tone.
“I have been playing cricket since the age of 10 and I have gradually climbed up the ladder to where I am right now. It is an honor to get the chance to represent the country at the highest level. I am writing today not to garner sympathy or attention but…with the hope to change the mindset of people on an issue I feel strongly about.”
He also mentioned what all he went through in his life and admitted that people’s obsession with his skin color has been a mystery for him.
“I have been traveling a lot within and outside our country since I was 15. Ever since I was young, people’s obsession with my skin color has always been a mystery to me. Anyone who follows cricket would understand the obvious. I have played and trained day in and day out in the sun and not once have I regretted the fact that I have tanned or lost a couple of shades.”
“It is simply because I love what I do and I have been able to achieve certain things only because I have spent hours outdoor. I come from Chennai, probably one of the hottest places in our country and I have gladly spent most of my adult life in the cricket ground,” he added.
“I have laughed and shrugged it off because I had bigger goals! Affected young, I toughened up because this was never something that would pull me down. There were many times when I chose not to dignify these insults with responses.”
He might be the one to have faced abuse on social media, but Mukund said that he is taking a stand for all the victims of abuse on the basis color.
“With the rise of social media, it has gone to a magnitude that I see people hurling abuses left, right and center at something I have absolutely no control over. Fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome guys. Stay true, stay focused, be comfortable in your own skin”, he concluded.
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017
This led to a lot of confusion on social media whether Mukund was reacting to a racial insult directed at him on social media or by a team India member. He later clarified that his message has no connection with his Indian teammates and it is directed at the people who have been hurling racial abuses and making derogatory remarks about the tone of his skin.
Guys, please don’t turn this into something else, it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people who have been posting abuses about color and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all!
“Please don’t turn this into something political, I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That s all,” the Indian batsman’s tweet read.
Guys please don’t turn this into something else,it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people 1/2
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
Who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all !
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
Please don’t turn this into something political,I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That s all.
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
Ravi Ashwin, who hails from Tamil Nadu has come forward in support to Abhinav Mukund in this regard.
Ashwin reposted Mukund’s tweet with a message that read: “Read and learn, don’t make it a headline cos its someone’s emotion.” In a series of tweets, Mukund said that he is not intending to make it a political issue but wants to address the plague.
Read and learn, don’t make it a headline cos its someone’s emotion. https://t.co/AnN9EMofj2
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 10, 2017
After being included in the squad as a third opener, Mukund was dropped from the playing XI for the second Test in spite of scoring a solid 81 in the first Test just to accommodate the fourth-choice opener Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a match-winning 190 in the first innings in Galle.