Glam Jokes aside, I agree entirely that those players subjected to taunts and abuse have every right to discuss such issues amongst themselves or with anyone else they chose. However to formalise that into a separate legal body away from the mainstream players union is divisive and will only serve to create a greater rift. Bear in mind it is the more radical black players who are advocating this and being heard. It would be interesting to see just how many would go along with this and would those chosing not to do so be subject to some form of bullying to encourage them to join. It is absolutely wrong that in this day and age players from minority groups and ifferent cultures are subject to the sort of crap we saw at Chelsea recently and in Serbia and other eastern European countries. I believe that incidents of racism in football are few in this country, despite what Jason Roberts and a couple of others have said, and, to a certain extent, have been blown out of proportion by the Chelsea, Suarez/Evra and Ferdinand/Terry situations in particular. At our Championship level I don't recall any such problems in Cardiff games. This has of course expanded from the original post about the Tottenham yid chant and our own sheep sha££er references. We could argue about this all night and still not reach a conclusion so with that, good night, I'm off to bed.
Good morning. Decent post; although, I still disagree that forming a black players union is divisive. What's divisive is attitude to race in the first place. If a group of people are bullies, it's little wonder that said group want to go into a corner to discuss how best to resolve the matter. I often read that the Welsh language is divisive. Nothing could be further from the truth. it's attitude that's divisive. As for the general problem. Yes, we've come a long way. But... from what I read on a general thread the attitude to race is still in the pond. There are a great number of fans who hold appalling views and are quite happy to post them on the internet where it's safe to do so. The same pond life daren't show their true feeling in public because they know they;'ll be arrested. These are the people who'll pass the same attitude on to their children because racism, on the whole, is learnt behaviour.
Racism is borne out of ignorance, arrogance and bigotry. The bottom line is it will not go away. I'm all for people forming their own groups if they feel the need, it doesn't mean I agree with the formation of such groups. If their is a body already in place to deal with the issues of racism and they feel it is not good enough (for whatever reason) creating a separate body is not the answer, that is surely is divisive? Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the "Kick it Out" group multi-racial? A handful of players have expressed their dissatisfaction with the kick It out campaign but I would suggest more are relatively happy with the progress of the campaign. These players have aired their views and it is now up to the Kick It Out campaign, the PFA and the FA to come up with a plan of action to address the short-comings of the campaign.
When I worked for a government department and had to explain to two young men of Jamaican decent that they could not call each other the N word ( which to be honest I hate anybody using ) the reason was because it was overheared by a third person of White decent who was offended , took me over a hour too explain to them what they had done wrong , and much tutting and rolling of eyes , "official" line was that it doesn't matter whos offended , that it's not acceptable . Dont know whats right in all of this , but as David Baddiel said only 3% of spurs fans are Jewish , so the argument of reclaiming the word is mute .
Only 0.4% of Bluebirds are attracted to and fornicate with sheep. I'm one of them, so I can shout what the **** I like.
I'm with Glamorgan all the way here. If the authorities had dealt with recent issues, there wouldn't be any reason for a black footballers association. Ask yourselves why they weren't asking for it before. racism isn't a straight forward issue, but there are some dim comments on this thread
The N word is an example in my opinion of what gets some 'not black' (i didnt want to use everyone so excuse the clumsy description) people's backs up about this. The word is allowed by black people to be used as a description or insult by black people about black people, but everyone else must stay well clear of any use. I don't agree, if a black person can describe mine and his mutual friend as a n...... Without offence, why can't I also do this? IMO if the word is so bad, it shouldn't be used, if it's fine for use in some context but not others, then that context shouldn't depend on the colour of your skin. For the record I have never used the word and have no desire to, I'm only illustrating my point. I haven't read a great deal about the black footballers association, can players from other ethnic backgrounds join? If any player who cares about racisism can join regardless of their ethnic background I don't see an issue. On the earlier point if that is all that Clattenburg said I'm gutted for him. I do not consider myself to be racist in anyway and I'd use that expression without a seconds thought. Is it racist? Surely it's just a figure of speech.
Language used in a figurative or Non literal sense is the definition of a 'figure of speech'. http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-24790,00.html Not one mention of any kind of racist implication in the statement, that was my point. I don't have a clue where the expression comes from but think figure of speech describes the common understanding of that expression just fine. What's your take on it?
I'm gonna start a Black Sheep union, they have been denigrated for long enough with sayings like 'the black sheep of the family' Taste the same though
On the earlier point if that is all that Clattenburg said I'm gutted for him. what was he meant to have said?
Mikel questioned a decision and I have been told Clattenberg said something like "I don't give a monkey's about that Mikel". If that is true I don't believe for one minute that should be considered racist. It is quite a common phrase in the UK and if Mikel or anyone else is that sensitive about phrases in common use and not racially motivated then they should either stop being such sensitive ninnies, learn the English language fully and all its little turns of phrase, how they are used and what they mean or go and ply their trade elsewhere. Has Mikel ever been to the zoo? If so, surely he didn't take offence at the name of the house which accomodates those mammals with the closest genetic links to human beings? I have said before I don't like Clattenburg and his pro-ManU decisions mean he should never take charge of a game involving them but on this, if what I have heard is correct, I am totally with him.
