Arthur Crabtree wrote:Human memory is too flawed to be definitive, especially over such a long period. It's not impossible that one of the Asian heritage players told the others that Vaughan said this and they all remember it like they all heard it. It doesn't look good, but there is too much doubt. It's too long ago.
I dont want to paint myself as a victim in anyway, but there are occasions in my life spending so much time abroad that people have made comments on any number of things - accent, language mistakes, negative stereotypes, etc.
Its hard to forget the ones that hurt you.
Of course, context is important and minute changes in how people remember things might change the exact meaning of words, but I cant see how this is the case here. Rafiq and two other Asian players seem to remember enough to know a racist comment was made, and at least one has demonstrated why that was damaging to them.
Trying to force victims of racial abuse to remember exact statements, to me (and Im not saying you are doing this AC, I trust your compass on this is pointed the right way) is just a platform to attack them.
I mean, I am as blameworthy as anyone in the past for doing that. I defend myself mostly on the basis that I had more faith in humanity back then, but over the years I realise that was a mistake. Rafiq seems to have told the truth in a number of these allegations, so I cant see why he would have made that up. Everything he has said so far thats come out has on some level been corroborated by someone else or proven enough to be accepted as fact, so I cant see why this is different.