What happened to George Floyd was disgusting, need to realise responsibility of power: Leander Paes

India star tennis player Leander Paes said that he felt disgusted after seeing the video of a white police man kneeling on a black man’s neck for nearly 8 minutes, until he became unresponsive.

Geroge Floyd, an African American man, died after a white police officer pinned Floyd to the ground for at least eight minutes and 15 seconds, despite the former repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe”. The killing of George Floyd during police custody in Minneapolis has led to massive outrage not just in the United States but across the globe. I

Talking about the tragic incident, Leander Paes, who was the guest on 2nd season of India Today Inspiration, said that the people with power need to be responsible and human beings need to treat to each other with certain dignity.

“Firstly I think what happened to George Floyd was disgusting. I have seen the video many times and it is amazing how the responsibility of power is such an important part to recognize. When you watch the video, you see he kept on saying I cannot breathe and for those 7-8 long minutes, I feel that there is certain dignity we need to give out to another human being and it is very worrisome to look around the world and see the discrepancies of whether it is color of your skin, or the caste difference.”

“It has been a very tough season, the 2020 so far. This year has been one obstacle after other, we have seen some unfortunate deaths and the virus engulfing the whole world. And then we see George Floyd happening in America and the uproar and then we look into our own borders, the migrant workers not having the due daily waged to provide for their own family, the hygiene and the living quality. It has really kind of exposed the world’s weaknesses.”

The Indian tennis icon, who had announced that he will bring the curtains down on his illustrious career in 2020, said that he himself had faced racism on certain occasions.

“I have faced it subtly, a few times. I don’t think I have the personality that people can come to me straight and do it. Playing a global sport all around the world and travelling since I was 12 years old. I can tell you about a few incidents that have happened.”

Paes said that his parents had taught him how to deal with racism and now and he his teaching the same to his daughter, who wants to be an Olympian.

“Well I have had some wonderful parents who have told me about it, they were professional athletes travelling around the world. I feel like how my parents have taught me dealing with situations like this has helped me. I have a daughter who is 14 years old and who wants to be a professional tennis player, so the skills that I have learnt I am trying to share with her.”