This is the story of how one cricketer in Yorkshire started a nationwide conversation, putting a spotlight on a society riddled with bias.
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
Green grass, blue skies, white flannels and the gentle thwack of leather on willow: the quintessential image of Englishness that heralds the start of the cricket season. A so-called gentleman’s game developed with the principle of fair play at its heart. All well and true – unless you’re a person of colour living in Britain today. Azeem Rafiq, the former Yorkshire cricketer and England youth captain, learnt this the hard way.
When, on 16 November 2021, Azeem stood up and courageously spoke out about his experiences of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club he was coolly dismissed, told that it was “friendly banter” and that he was a troublemaker. The case blew up, and millions of people voiced their support for Azeem.
It’s Not Banter, It’s Racism will provide a bracing look at the moments that led up to and defined the watershed meeting where Azeem shared his truth. As well as interviewing key figures involved in the case, Azeem illustrates how the continual denial of racism is sending us backwards as a society, and how pervasive polarisation has become. It is with great sensitivity and determination that Azeem will also unpack his own biases, while also building forgiveness and understanding with the communities he has impacted.
Giving voice to the voiceless, Azeem’s book stands for accountability and honesty in a world that would prefer to cancel and silence.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
Azeem's first legacy - a legacy carved at great personal expense - was to expose how cricket works. His second gift may be to expose how this country works, too.
A principled whistleblower who stood up for what was right, Azeem has changed cricket forever.
Azeem's dream was to help England win the Ashes. That wasn't to be. But maybe, one day we'll reflect that his legacy to the game is far greater than winning any amount of Test series.
Azeem has stood up to the world, spoken back against evil. He has had victories. He has failed. He extends charity to others and he says no: no to racism. Because we must be better than our worst.
Honest, open and powerful, Azeem has never been afraid at facing injustice head on, and this book is no different. It's Not Banter, It's Racism is a credit to Azeem and an important part of his anti-racism work. I hope many will read and understand the message at the heart of this book; that Azeem was just a young British Pakistani boy who wanted to play cricket, and he deserved so much better.