Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday (June 2) urged ordinary citizens across the globe to create a world culture and environment that has no place for prejudice and ignorance.
Sangakkara offered his views on the back of killing of an Afro-American, George Floyd, who died last week after a white police officer pressed his knee on the handcuffed man's neck in the USA.
Floyd's death has triggered massive protests against racism across the country, with the world supporting the movement 'Black Lives Matter'.
"The activism in America against systemic racism and injustice is a powerful lesson to us all," tweeted Sangakkara.
"Whichever country we live in, be it America, Sri Lanka or another, it is not the State that should determine our sensibilities and sensitivities. That’s your choice and mine."
"We the people, the ordinary citizen, can together achieve extraordinary change for the better, to set in place a world culture of openness, respect and understanding. A world culture that has no place for ignorance and prejudice and where true freedom reigns."
The 42-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2015, explained why it is important for people to understand that political leadership is nothing but a reflection of how a society is operating.
"The State should not determine our wisdom, compassion, empathy and understanding," he wrote. "It should not and cannot limit the openness of our hearts and minds to others nor our ability to embrace and value difference and differences."
Sangakkara reasoned if all citizens become better versions of themselves, they'll always have better people governing them.
"We also choose our representatives from among our own. We are responsible for the character traits they bring to government," he tweeted. "We are responsible for the people they are or have become. Their nature has been set by our influence and nurture."
"Our choices guide the State’s attitudes, actions, policy and legislation. In order to establish the best government and the best most equitable governance. We need to be better people."
"Our strengths and our weaknesses are mirrored in each other’s conduct and in the conduct of our elected representatives."
Lastly, Sangakkara tweeted it is our responsibility that we leave a better world for our future generations.
"We have to be courageous, keep the faith and actively participate in the journey. It’s our choices today that will determine the culture our children inherit tomorrow."
"If we want to be proud of our lives, to see our children proud to carry our legacy forward and onwards, then let’s be better. Let’s demand it of ourselves, for each other, for our children," he concluded.
