We no longer passively submit to your bullshit
How two executives brought shame to the cricketing world
Two of Cricket South Africa’s executives were pictured this week endorsing deplorable behaviour by spectators that sought to mock David Warner and shame his partner Candice for her past personal relationships.
The behaviour borders on sexual harassment. This may come as a shock to some but in 2018 the world is no longer willing to passively submit to this bullshit. And no, you can no longer just use ‘it was only a joke’ as your get-out-of-jail-free-card (G’day Sam Newman if you’re reading).
As defined by the Australian Human Rights Commission; ‘sexual harassment may include… suggestive comments…insults or taunts… or instrusive statements about your private life’.
To add insult to injury, this whole affair occurred the day after international women’s day — as if to say ‘you’ve had your 24hrs reprieve’.
The most inconceivable component of this nonesense is not in the content of the crime (unfortunately it’s hardly surprising that this behaviour is still alive and well in society) but the culprits of the crime; two marketing and communications executives.
Their entire job revolves around building positive relationships with people connected to Cricket South Africa; to improve the brand and reputation of their organisation; to form successful partnerships with other stakeholders…
On what godforsaken planet could you think that mocking the wife of one of your counterpart’s team be good for your organisation’s public image and brand?
Australia’s David Warner and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock certainly crossed the line with their sledging in game one of Australia’s tour of South Africa. Accordingly, both players were penalised and suffered damage to their respective reputations. Provided they acknowledge where they went wrong and don’t make the same mistake again, I can forgive them — after all, their skill is sport, not sociology and public relations.
The local spectators who made the Sonny Bill Williams masks in order to stir David Warner by mocking his wife are vile and misguided individuals; unfortunately some bad people still exist in society. I don’t like them nor do I condone their actions but I’m comforted by the fact that they’re increasingly becoming ostracised as the rest of society progresses.
In contrast the two marketing and communications executives should have known better. They should be held to a higher standard simply because of the jobs and responsibilities they hold. Their actions have brought shame to the cricketing world and particular embarrassment to Cricket South Africa.
I applaud Cricket South Africa’s swift response in denouncing the actions of the two executives in question, appologising to all who have been hurt by the incident, and launching an immediate investigation.
I only hope that the punishments are severe, and more severe than Warner and de Kock’s. More than anyone else, these two executives have brought the game into disrepute.
Both the International Cricket Council and Cricket South Africa should make an example of them to demonstrate that the cricketing world no longer stands for this bullshit. Failure to do so will impede the wonderful efforts made by cricket organisations globally to increase the participation of new men, women and children in the game so many of us love.
