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Activism in US against systemic racism a powerful lesson to all: Sanga

3 June 2020 05:13 pm - 40     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara said today that the activism in the US against systemic racism and injustice is a powerful lesson to us all.

In a series of tweets, Sangakkara said, “Whichever country we live in, be it America, Sri Lanka or another, it is not the State that should determine our sensibilities and sensitivities. That’s your choice and mine.”

He further said, “The State should not determine our wisdom, compassion, empathy and understanding. It should not and cannot limit the openness of our hearts and minds to one another nor our ability to embrace and value difference and differences.

We the people choose that ourselves.

We also choose our representatives from among our own. We are responsible for the character traits they bring to government. We are responsible for the people they are or have become. Their nature has been set by our influence and nurture.

Our choices guide the State’s attitudes, actions, policy and legislation. In order to establish the best government and the most equitable governance, WE need to be better people. Our strengths and our weaknesses are mirrored in each other’s conduct and in the conduct of  our elected representatives.

We the people, the ordinary citizen, can together achieve extraordinary change for the better, to set in place a world culture of openness, respect and understanding. A world culture that has no place for ignorance and prejudice and where true freedom reigns.

We have to be courageous, keep the faith and actively participate in the journey.

It’s our choices today that will determine the culture our children inherit tomorrow.

If we want to be proud of our lives, to see our children proud to carry our legacy forward and onwards, then let’s be better. Let’s demand it of ourselves, for each other, for our children.

Choose.”


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  Comments - 40

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  • Dev Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:21 PM

    I thought western countries were perfect and there were zero injustices and racism?

    Qed Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:23 PM

    Sanga i can't understand what you are trying to say. Are you saying that when citizen of Western country take to the streets for an issue of their country that we should too?

    Jehan Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:24 PM

    If there are no protests in West then they say that the West is the best and no protests mean there are not injustice there. When protests start they say that look West if the best, that is why they are protesting injustices.

    Leo Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:27 PM

    Oh please now don't ask us to copy the protests too. When corona virus spread you will see how stupid these protesters are. Then they will blame that on the rulers too.

    Lara Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:28 PM

    In day time they protest. In night time they loot the shops. Looks like Sanga thinks that it is some sort of a progressive shit.

    Citizen Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:30 PM

    Very well said Kumar. But I wonder how many would have the power to digest

    Voter Wednesday, 03 June 2020 08:59 PM

    You're spot on with your comment. By just reading some of the comments the intelligence of our highly literate community is there for everyone to see.

    Lawry Thursday, 04 June 2020 08:07 AM

    It is quite clear that people who commented could not digest. Santa is telling just the opposite of what they think.

    Josh Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:31 PM

    When antare blocks roads it is a backward thing. When westerners block roads it is progressive. This slavish mentality of thinking that we have to copy what ever the West do needs to stop.

    Melville Olegasageram Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:32 PM

    Melville. Hearken to the words of a man with uncommon “COMMON SENSE “ . Men’s sana incorpore sano !!!

    Yeti Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:35 PM

    Does this guy think that it is some kind of a romantic thing when cops kill, cars burnt, thousands arrested and shop looted.

    Chux Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:39 PM

    Very true racism is totally unnecessary in our life people who preached those should be punished on strict terms must never allow our country to drag in to that situation again

    Kapila Senaratne Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:48 PM

    It’s nothing to do with the racism. It’s purely the perception of the Majority.

    Dilum Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:51 PM

    China building high-security compound at Gwadar to establish naval base: Times of India

    Amari-Cans Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:52 PM

    Especially to the SL Americans, no!!

    Prof.H.Dharmasena Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:55 PM

    One of the best lesson I learnt from this article. I hope Sri Lanka will learn to live with Tamils

    Agnes Thursday, 04 June 2020 02:23 PM

    Tamils ARE Sri Lankans too. Maybe YOU need to learn that!

    vithura Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:24 PM

    Hear, hear!, not just the politicians 'the Sanga' too should heed the advice of Sanga!

    Triple X Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:39 PM

    The real gentleman.

    Sam Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:44 PM

    Excellent!

    Clau Eri Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:53 PM

    Well Said Mr. Kumar Sangakkara. All the politicians must read this and take it to the minds.

    Nimtex Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:54 PM

    If our minds are sincere and farsighted we can decide and choose right people to govern the country

    Ramesh Kanth Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:08 PM

    Does this applicable to the political leaders and religious leaders of Sri Lanka?

    Antony Jude Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:21 PM

    Well said Sangakara. The state should not determine our wisdom, compassion and empathy. 100 % agreed with you. It is a good lesson for everyone especially Srilankan politicians. They should learn.

    sam silva Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:25 PM

    Is he planning to enter politics.

    sarakartik Thursday, 04 June 2020 12:46 PM

    No chance he will never get the blessing of maha sanga and archbishop.

    R Giri Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:26 PM

    Thank you my dear brother, if you can awaken all Srilankans , with this wisdom you are fit to be the next President of our beloved mother land!We are tired and sick of these politicians fanning hatred among Srilankan, and what have they done? Trillions in foreign debt which future generation cannot afford to pay !

    Kathirgaman Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:42 PM

    I appréciâtes your statement on racisme.Of course what you havé menstio de is very important to Any politicien of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka needs people like you to have a strong democracy in Sri Lanka.Justice should be respected without any intereference from higher authorities.

    Hari M Wednesday, 03 June 2020 08:02 PM

    Great, a public figure like Sangakara raising these sensitive topics. The country has been ruined by career politicians like RW, MR etc. Time to uphold law and respect to all citizens.

    sarakarthi Wednesday, 03 June 2020 08:18 PM

    Well said Sanga but our politicians will find very diffiult to understand what you mean.

    Antony Jude Wednesday, 03 June 2020 08:51 PM

    Sangakara, you are the right person to lead this country. Country like Srilanka with multi race, multi language and multi religious should be ruled and governed by a person like you.

    ram Wednesday, 03 June 2020 09:15 PM

    Tamils and Sinhalese discriminate their own people based on their cast. According to my research, drummers' children are not admitted to certain schools. IT IS A DISCRIMINATION. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EQUAL ACCES

    ram Wednesday, 03 June 2020 09:18 PM

    Tamils and Sinhalese and Muslims in Sri Lanka practice dowry and some other barbaric cultural practices. They practice dowry, they demand their sons become bread winner and to take care of their siblings. Muslims allows underage girls get married. These are all barbaric cultural practice.

    CITIZEN Wednesday, 03 June 2020 09:27 PM

    WELL SANGA THE PROBLEM IN SRI LANKA IS NOT THE PEOPLE BUT THE CLERGY WHO CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THE COUNTRY

    Ups Wednesday, 03 June 2020 09:57 PM

    Though western countries preach world about values of humanrights ,this single incident exposed how much of racism is there in USA,

    Ramesh Kanth Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:27 PM

    No justice - No peace That should be the rule and lesson -

    jayt Thursday, 04 June 2020 08:30 AM

    he is bribed by someday in the Western countries: Tamil Tiger supporters. Tamil Tiger supporters should know same law apply to Western countries: And if African American followed the Western law toward Sri lanka, they are enter titled to terrorists funding and training from other countries for many separate states

    Bandu Wanigasekera Thursday, 04 June 2020 12:50 PM

    In cricket the ball is the important subject. In the comments on the article few have hit the ball true, others have just flung the bat somewhere while many have not even seen the ball but talk big on anything but the ball.

    Prageeth Thursday, 04 June 2020 12:57 PM

    I'm 100% Saga is plotting to be in the parliament OR the next office of the President!.

    mnsmart Thursday, 04 June 2020 03:38 PM

    Well said Sanga - True to the word and hope those who deserve will understand what you said


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