Apparently, Lawrence Rowe went when his test career was in decline. Cricket was his life, and reputation can not be eaten. It was an experience that was well learned and brought people closer to the reality of the Apathied system.
Great batsman..one of the best ever... was and still is my idol despite South Africa... easy for us to criticize from the outside but when you are placed in the position as he was I don't think any of us could say 100% we would have not done the same.
I understand your sentiment in calling Lawrence Rowe and his team who came to South Africa on the rebel tours in the 1980’s black traitors and not wanting to buy into his claim that they were breaking down barriers. However, I firmly believe that you are wrong on both accounts. How can I say so? Because I was there when his tour happened and I know what it did. I was a young white South African boy in my early to mid teens during those 2 West Indian rebel tours. Me and my friends and young cousins where all very excited when the West Indian arrived and keenly followed every match. But the effect of the town on our young minds were much more than just cricket. In the documentary Branded a Rebel, Franklin Stephenson told an incident of him fielding near the boundary, when he heard a young voice calling out to him. When he looked, it was a young white offering him a sip from his bottle of Coca Cola. He accepted the offer and took a sip. Short after he heard someone else calling him, only this time to see 5 young white boys offering him sips from their bottles of Coca Cola. Six young white boys offering a black man to drink with his mouth from their cool drink bottles in Apartheid South Africa - that was an unheard off thing!! After the tours were over, a number if the West Indian opted to stay on in South Africa and continue their cricket careers here. My brother and I, my cousins and friends were all hoping that our local teams will get a West Indian. In our circle my cousin was the lucky one when his favorite local team, Transvaal, getting a West Indian on board. And not just any one. They got Sylvester Clarck! Among all the West Indians who stayed behind, in our eyes as young white kids Sylvester Clark was THE MAN, for us the most fearsome fast bowler in the world! My brother and I were green of jealously that my cousin’s team got fearsome Sylvestor. For young white boys to idolize black sports during those Apartheid years in the 1980’s was new ground for all of us. Not even once can I recall any of us even mentioning the fact that these were black players. For us they were just the greatest cricket players, human beings just like us. They did not betray black people by coming to play in South Africa. In the part of South Africa where I grew up, among me and my friends and cousins, they certainly were breaking down barriers. Going into the heart of Apartheid South Africa, showing white people that black people are their equal, that we can play together, and in the process becoming the first non-white heroes of white boys, that sure is something! Today I am a full time Christian missionary. Me and my wife live and work for God’s kingdom in a black neighbourhood. Our only children were two black girls which we took into foster care many tear ago, etc. Those West Indies rebel tours certainly were not the main even thing that got me here. But it most definitely was one of the important things that God used in my teenage years to help cultivate a positive mind set in me towards black people. I love black people and enjoy living among them. They are my neighbours, friends, children, brother and sisters in Christ, etc. I am are very glad that those West Indian cricketers came to my country in the 1980’s to help reshape my view regarding black people.
God works through all kinds of situations to redeem the lost. Still, I have no respect for the rebel tourists, especially those who seek to justify the decision by suggesting it helped the anti apartheid cause. Leave them to applaud themselves I say. God bless anyhow.
Two things,I think you were just happy that a team has come and that the national team is playing again,also you were just star struck to see these foreign players that you only read about in the papers
This is bollocks sorry mate. How racist can one be that you need a cricket tour to help u understand that people of color are equally human being deserving of dignity. This is just a poor attempt at white washing. You got entertained and got to see world class players thats all. You already had the saintly Mandela living amongst you (whom you jailed for decades) what more better example of black excellence would one need to see!! The fact that SA remains wracked by racism today tells me that racism is so deeply ingrained in the white minority. No amount of friendly blacks will ever change that.
@@ewaldsteyn469 No i am not living there. It is a lovely country that i know fairly well. But a very troubled country. Beyond the usual African challenges of tribalism and corruption in SA you have racism and xenophobia as well. And this is not me saying so...your own politicians, media, academics are highlighting these fights. What price have white South Africans paid for the heinous crime of apartheid? None! What sacrifice have they made as reparations to blacks? None. We saw Germany pay the Jews for their crimes, but not even an offer for land as compensation for centuries of oppression will you get from whites in SA...just platitudes..rainbow nation..madiba dream etc. Nonsense. By their racist attitudes white south africans (and anc failures) have given fuel to demands for radical economic transformation which means taking land. There may come a populist president who is not as accommodating as Cyril and who knows what will happen..another Zimbabwe. Dont be arrogant like white Zimbabweans were. Atone for your past and own it.
Lawrence rowe is a cricketer not a political figure.a legendary middle order batsman with unmatched technique and style.sad they were caught up with dirty politics
Very sad, Lawrence Rowe didn’t understand the implications of the apartheid system in South Africa. The WI team was treated as honorary whites and Rowe considered that a special privilege. Oh how ignorant can one be???
I would like to be positive and hope for his sake he was there to break barriers and of course collect something for himself but uneducated people or people with common sense fail to realize they did so. South Africa played Test International Cricket again and today they are World No.2 in the rankings after being World No. 1 from 2012-15
Colours of the Rainbow blame the West indies board for not compensating commensurate compensation befitting of their talents and the market rate that cricketers of that era were paid. Clive Llyod states vehemently that the players should not think about money. It is alright for him to state this, I am sure he was being compensated appropriately. Did he offer to help the squad players, in terms of financal compensation of disuade them from going, no he did not. There are stories where famous football manahers have when clubs are in bad financial state paid players out of their own pockets to retain... that is a good leader, puts his money with his mouth. The one cricket reporter who travelled to South Africa to cover the tour, who was totally impartial said the tour made a difference; it helped changed white peoples perceptions of non whites. Llyod claimed the tour would not make a difference, he doesn't know, he wasn't there.
How can this man defend his so called friends and say West Indies should have been proud that they won in South Africa when apartheid was going strong and he says they were treated like kings when the black population was underprivileged the South African captain said they had to keep it under wraps because they would not have been allowed in so Mr rowe the honoury black man is in denial
This guy is comparing that team Rebel tean visiting South Africa for money akin to Muhammed Ali refusing to go to vietnam, Jessie Owens winning four olumpic gold in front of Hitler, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball and Jack Johnson becoming the first black heavyweight champion of the world. Lawrence Rowe as Michael Manley said has a f'law at the core of his character.' He is incapable personal accountabilty for anything from his myriad of excuses for his so called injuries and later batting failures to him leading that team to South Africa.
Shut your mouth,only a damn fool believe that their going and playing didn’t have an impact on the politics of the day! Many minds,perception and attitudes were re-evaluated and changed by these guys! Change can be accomplished by different methods! Get off your high horse and have a seat..
@@karlhenry2328 No thank you. I will stay on my high horse and not make excuses for people who sell out Black people for their personal financial gains.
@@carllashley41 Have a seat and be silent,these guys had more guts than you could ever have even if you lived a thousand years. Old cliches dies hard I suppose..
@@karlhenry2328 rubbish. South Africa still racist to this day. These chaps didnt change a damn thing. They should have simply apologised for their mistake returned the filthy lucre. Mandela was in SAfrica..a lawyer no less. What further example would a white Soutj Africa need of black excellence and capability.
Fascinating, well spoken, lucid and brutally honest. Lived a tough life, but a gentleman cricketer whose name will live on.
Thx Lawrence and his team they are not sellouts entertainers enjoyed there quality cricket thx
Apparently, Lawrence Rowe went when his test career was in decline. Cricket was his life, and reputation can not be eaten. It was an experience that was well learned and brought people closer to the reality of the Apathied system.
I am proud of you Lawrence.
Great batsman..one of the best ever... was and still is my idol despite South Africa... easy for us to criticize from the outside but when you are placed in the position as he was I don't think any of us could say 100% we would have not done the same.
Thank you for posting. Very interesting.
I understand your sentiment in calling Lawrence Rowe and his team who came to South Africa on the rebel tours in the 1980’s black traitors and not wanting to buy into his claim that they were breaking down barriers. However, I firmly believe that you are wrong on both accounts. How can I say so? Because I was there when his tour happened and I know what it did. I was a young white South African boy in my early to mid teens during those 2 West Indian rebel tours. Me and my friends and young cousins where all very excited when the West Indian arrived and keenly followed every match. But the effect of the town on our young minds were much more than just cricket. In the documentary Branded a Rebel, Franklin Stephenson told an incident of him fielding near the boundary, when he heard a young voice calling out to him. When he looked, it was a young white offering him a sip from his bottle of Coca Cola. He accepted the offer and took a sip. Short after he heard someone else calling him, only this time to see 5 young white boys offering him sips from their bottles of Coca Cola. Six young white boys offering a black man to drink with his mouth from their cool drink bottles in Apartheid South Africa - that was an unheard off thing!!
After the tours were over, a number if the West Indian opted to stay on in South Africa and continue their cricket careers here. My brother and I, my cousins and friends were all hoping that our local teams will get a West Indian. In our circle my cousin was the lucky one when his favorite local team, Transvaal, getting a West Indian on board. And not just any one. They got Sylvester Clarck! Among all the West Indians who stayed behind, in our eyes as young white kids Sylvester Clark was THE MAN, for us the most fearsome fast bowler in the world! My brother and I were green of jealously that my cousin’s team got fearsome Sylvestor.
For young white boys to idolize black sports during those Apartheid years in the 1980’s was new ground for all of us. Not even once can I recall any of us even mentioning the fact that these were black players. For us they were just the greatest cricket players, human beings just like us.
They did not betray black people by coming to play in South Africa. In the part of South Africa where I grew up, among me and my friends and cousins, they certainly were breaking down barriers. Going into the heart of Apartheid South Africa, showing white people that black people are their equal, that we can play together, and in the process becoming the first non-white heroes of white boys, that sure is something!
Today I am a full time Christian missionary. Me and my wife live and work for God’s kingdom in a black neighbourhood. Our only children were two black girls which we took into foster care many tear ago, etc. Those West Indies rebel tours certainly were not the main even thing that got me here. But it most definitely was one of the important things that God used in my teenage years to help cultivate a positive mind set in me towards black people. I love black people and enjoy living among them. They are my neighbours, friends, children, brother and sisters in Christ, etc. I am are very glad that those West Indian cricketers came to my country in the 1980’s to help reshape my view regarding black people.
God works through all kinds of situations to redeem the lost. Still, I have no respect for the rebel tourists, especially those who seek to justify the decision by suggesting it helped the anti apartheid cause. Leave them to applaud themselves I say. God bless anyhow.
Two things,I think you were just happy that a team has come and that the national team is playing again,also you were just star struck to see these foreign players that you only read about in the papers
This is bollocks sorry mate. How racist can one be that you need a cricket tour to help u understand that people of color are equally human being deserving of dignity. This is just a poor attempt at white washing. You got entertained and got to see world class players thats all. You already had the saintly Mandela living amongst you (whom you jailed for decades) what more better example of black excellence would one need to see!! The fact that SA remains wracked by racism today tells me that racism is so deeply ingrained in the white minority. No amount of friendly blacks will ever change that.
@@zevlove612 Are you living in South Africa?
@@ewaldsteyn469 No i am not living there. It is a lovely country that i know fairly well. But a very troubled country. Beyond the usual African challenges of tribalism and corruption in SA you have racism and xenophobia as well. And this is not me saying so...your own politicians, media, academics are highlighting these fights. What price have white South Africans paid for the heinous crime of apartheid? None! What sacrifice have they made as reparations to blacks? None. We saw Germany pay the Jews for their crimes, but not even an offer for land as compensation for centuries of oppression will you get from whites in SA...just platitudes..rainbow nation..madiba dream etc. Nonsense. By their racist attitudes white south africans (and anc failures) have given fuel to demands for radical economic transformation which means taking land. There may come a populist president who is not as accommodating as Cyril and who knows what will happen..another Zimbabwe. Dont be arrogant like white Zimbabweans were. Atone for your past and own it.
Which rebel player went on to play for the official West Indies team?
Fast bowler Ezra Moseley
@@edwin1030 Thanks man
Muhammad Ali etc were not sell outs
West Indians will never, never forgive their rebels. Kallicharan, Rowe, Croft were the main rebels.
Lawrence rowe is a cricketer not a political figure.a legendary middle order batsman with unmatched technique and style.sad they were caught up with dirty politics
Very sad, Lawrence Rowe didn’t understand the implications of the apartheid system in South Africa. The WI team was treated as honorary whites and Rowe considered that a special privilege. Oh how ignorant can one be???
This man betrayed humanity for money. He talks about breaking the barrier but that is just an excuse there was no barrier that he broke.
I would like to be positive and hope for his sake he was there to break barriers and of course collect something for himself but uneducated people or people with common sense fail to realize they did so. South Africa played Test International Cricket again and today they are World No.2 in the rankings after being World No. 1 from 2012-15
Colours of the Rainbow blame the West indies board for not compensating commensurate compensation befitting of their talents and the market rate that cricketers of that era were paid.
Clive Llyod states vehemently that the players should not think about money. It is alright for him to state this, I am sure he was being compensated appropriately. Did he offer to help the squad players, in terms of financal compensation of disuade them from going, no he did not. There are stories where famous football manahers have when clubs are in bad financial state paid players out of their own pockets to retain... that is a good leader, puts his money with his mouth.
The one cricket reporter who travelled to South Africa to cover the tour, who was totally impartial said the tour made a difference; it helped changed white peoples perceptions of non whites. Llyod claimed the tour would not make a difference, he doesn't know, he wasn't there.
Sadly Rowe does not understand the full issues as it relates to South Africa.
How can this man defend his so called friends and say West Indies should have been proud that they won in South Africa when apartheid was going strong and he says they were treated like kings when the black population was underprivileged the South African captain said they had to keep it under wraps because they would not have been allowed in so Mr rowe the honoury black man is in denial
This guy is comparing that team Rebel tean visiting South Africa for money akin to Muhammed Ali refusing to go to vietnam, Jessie Owens winning four olumpic gold in front of Hitler, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball and Jack Johnson becoming the first black heavyweight champion of the world. Lawrence Rowe as Michael Manley said has a f'law at the core of his character.' He is incapable personal accountabilty for anything from his myriad of excuses for his so called injuries and later batting failures to him leading that team to South Africa.
How dare you equate yourself with the likes of Jackie Robinson, Ali, Owens etc. You just don't get it after all these years.
Shut your mouth,only a damn fool believe that their going and playing didn’t have an impact on the politics of the day! Many minds,perception and attitudes were re-evaluated and changed by these guys! Change can be accomplished by different methods! Get off your high horse and have a seat..
@@karlhenry2328 No thank you. I will stay on my high horse and not make excuses for people who sell out Black people for their personal financial gains.
@@carllashley41 Have a seat and be silent,these guys had more guts than you could ever have even if you lived a thousand years. Old cliches dies hard I suppose..
@@karlhenry2328 I can see clearly that you are a fool that is easily impress.
@@karlhenry2328 rubbish. South Africa still racist to this day. These chaps didnt change a damn thing. They should have simply apologised for their mistake returned the filthy lucre. Mandela was in SAfrica..a lawyer no less. What further example would a white Soutj Africa need of black excellence and capability.
Rowe destroyed his reputation by going to play cricket in apartheid South Africa of 1983 and 1984.
I believe he was thrown our of a Whites only train during the tour serves him right here shouldn't have gone there in the first place.
@@maureenjackson2041 that was Colin Croft
@@maureenjackson2041 Colin Croft was asked to leave the train
This man just doesnt get it.