In this special episode, I sit down with former professional cricketer Azeem Rafiq to dig deeper into the impactful moments following his brave decision to expose the racism he experienced. We discuss the profound changes he faced in his career and personal life as a result of his whistleblowing.
Azeem, now an author with his new book, "It's Not Banter, It’s Racism," shares an intimate look at his life—from growing up in Pakistan to his tenure with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
"One person’s banter is another person’s demise," he says, highlighting the crucial need for self-awareness in today’s society to ensure everyone feels welcome.
This podcast tells all about Azeem’s emotional journey, showcasing his resilience and the positive changes he has made for himself and his family. We explore his work in campaigning for change, his transition into a podcaster, author, and speaker, and his efforts to inspire the younger generation to strive for better. Azeem's story is incredibly inspiring. Tune in to hear the highs and lows of his career, and gain valuable lessons in how to never give up.
More about Azeem
Azeem is a former cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, eventually becoming the first Asian player to captain Yorkshire in a senior game. Azeem’s story is a particularly tough one to tell on this podcast because of how the thing that he loved the most - which is being a cricketer, has led to a lot of trauma in his life. After experiencing bullying and racism which he spoke up about - and an independent report finding it to be true, it led on to a major media story breaking which ultimately has negatively affected his life. What I particularly appreciate and admire about Azeem is that despite all this, he is STILL campaigning for positive change in the sporting world. He’s recently written a book to raise more awareness and he’s made changes in his career to be a keynote speaker and podcaster to bring his passion for cricket into the wider community. It’s a true story of resilience and strength to change the face of cricket forever.
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