Baksh: Chris Gayle is part of a pervasive gender problem

Tue, Apr 19, '16

Cricket writer Vaneisa Baksh takes a wide ranging look at how prevasive chauvinism is in cricket and West Indian culture. The essay is published by ESPN's The Cricket Monthly, and is inspired in part by Chris Gayle's most recent inappropriate comments to a female journalist, and the reactions to that. It begins with the mayor of Port's of Spain's trivialization of murder of a Japanese woman attending Carnival, and ranges into Baksh's own struggles to establish herself as a journalist and cricket fan.

Truth be told, Gayle was the least significant player in this issue, and if it weren't for the fact that he generated it, I wouldn't even waste time mentioning him. He is merely a mindless soldier in the vulgar battle of chauvinism that still exists in every sphere. The consequences have been largely ignored in the conversations following this latest public eruption.

Anyone who has read and appreciates C.L.R. James' 'Beyond A Boundary' should recognise the theme. The full article can be read in The Cricket Monthly.