This is probably very near to the truth

Another piece by Spiked.

[Link]

Something so obvious we missed saying directly was that football is very inclusive anyway. It’s therefore a bit of an insult to have this brought before us. In America I get it. There are reasons. But here?

I now read that BLM is going to have a political party. After BLM going on the shirts, the players taking the knee at that that point and now claiming the knee isn’t political and effectively trying to take us for fools I’ll have to cancel my season ticket if this carries on next season with BLM being a political party. It is no surprise all the lefties are in support of this as well. If people want to have a display against racism then they can without knees or black panther salutes.

The other thing that’s come to my mind this morning is that not many black people attend football matches. The way this is going I don’t see that changing. But my real point is that they’re able to and safe to do so, especially at ours, but choose not to. So we are inclusive but they choose not to come. That’s their choice. (Probably a wise financial one weighing it up with our moans at full time on the way home)

So why is this shoved upon us and effectively the accusation that you’re racist if you’re not actively anti racist? Whatever happened to treating people as you find them? I’m pretty sure that’s what pretty much everyone was doing before George Floyd was killed thousands of miles away anyway. But after that for months the police in London were being filmed and cornered as they were doing their job investigating people and even fighting the police.

COYP

No, the fundamental argument here is not disrespect, it stems from whether the original gesture was acceptable to the people of this country. You say most say it is, I would say most say it is not, and not because they are racist but because they associate the symbol with the organisation that tore down statues, defaced the Cenotaph, rioted in the streets, campaigned for defunding the Police etc etc. The players utilising that symbol either didn’t realise or didn’t care that it symbolises far more than just the fight against racism and it is this that people are booing and not the players themselves.

You have already laid out your argument about BLM and what it is, but on this point we fundamentally disagree as do the majority on here.

Sports fans don’t want political gestures rammed down their throats every time they go to a sporting event but if you were speak to each individually they will be united that kicking out racism is a good thing. On that basis alone, removing the knee and replacing it with a football related theme, which they already had, kick it out or boot it out, is far more appropriate.

As for booing, players are used to that if they play rubbish and I’ve never seen anyone be thrown out of a match for booing, it is the only tool the fans have for showing their displeasure at something and clearly, large numbers of the fans were not happy with what they were seeing.

You can argue all you like that they are wrong and you are right but you are one person, they are many and they are just as entitled to an opinion as you.

I have to say I didn’t like the alternative inequality banner, it didn’t look right with the in crossed out, however the sentiment of all the players together around a banner for a pre match photo certainly has my support and I’m pretty sure everyone else would be behind it.

Football supporting anti-racism is great, but keep sport and politics separate.

Although you have a point, it isn’t someone’s fault if they have nothing to do with the 2 crimes you mention. It’s difficult to not use the words black community when there isn’t really one. Something needs to happen there, but it isn’t allowed because of cowardly and self interested politicians and the accusations against the police. So we’re stuck with knives taken out of the house as common as keys in some parts of London. A kid chased through Purley and stabbed to death by a couple of Purley youths because of a social media disagreement. Seriously, what?

Some Muslim communities certainly have some responsibility for the anti West hate. But I treat people how I find them like I’ve always done. Some don’t like that because they start it off irrationally.

COYP

Politics is not the problem with the BBS. It is the moderation and the type of person who is allowed to prevail. There are plenty of people to the left on HOL but 99% of the time, the discourse is civilized.

Did you used to write those little slips of paper you find in fortune cookies before you retired WE?

Living down here does have some advantages. At least you can see them cry.