John Barnes says being black has damaged his career as a manager

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Advice: Get on with the job at Hand. If Harry cannot save QPR... Just try your best.

 

The thing is no-one was saying that there's definitiely no racism left in the game, as like society in general there patently will be people who hold a prejudice, that's inevitable.

However, what people were taking issue with was Barnes claiming that his 8 year sabbatical was a direct result of racism, which was absolute rot. As whilst there might still be an odd Chairman or 2 who wouldn't take a black manager, they'll be in the same tiny minority as in society outside of the game. To suggest that his entire failure to find a job in the game was down to his skin colour was both delusional and damaging to the game, as it's an unfair representation of the reality. As we have proven in this thread with facts, not baseless supposition.

That snide comment you highlighted was imo intimating racism on this thread, but he's back peddled and is now merely saying that him and Barnes are right and until everyone sings from their hymn sheet then nothing will change.

 

Agree 100% Tobes.

 

I've said on here before that sometimes things sound different in your head than they do written down. But in this instance I really don't see how that sentence you highlight can be construed as me accusing people on here of being racist.

The next bit - let me get this straight, if I think that people on here don't believe Barnes, then he must be right ??? that isn't even logical.

I think that some of the comments on here dismiss Barnes claim that being black has not afforded him the same opportunity as his white counterparts. I believe that dismissing his claim does nothing to help the fight against racism because unless you allow for the possibility that race could be a factor and go investigate, gather relevant information, speak to other managers black and white, then the problem remains. You have to acknowledge the existence before you can take steps to eradicate it. Claiming he made it up helps nobody.

And just to be quite clear - I have no idea whether he was discriminated against or not but remain open to the possibility that he may have been and the possibility that he may not have been

 

I get on with you JB so don't think I'm joining some bandwagon against you here, I'm not. But I can't see what else that sentence could mean.

 

My take on what jb meant is, that on this thread there has been dozens of of reasons given why he's not correct, why he's a ****, why he's a **** manager etc but not much giving him the benefit of the doubt in the argument, and until people try and truly understand why black people feel they don't get a fair chance in football or any other job nothing will ever truly change.

Although I could be wrong, I usually am.

 

And that's what I see as true racism. Why focus on it at all? It's effectively creating a us vs them scenario which is clearly wrong on every possible level.

 

'Going by some of the comments on here I'd say that racism is going to be with us for some time.

I cannot see how this sentence can be construed other than meaning those who have made the said comments are racist or associated with promoting or defending racism.

I am strongly against racism in all its forms and there is still significant racism still in all our major institutions. In this case Barnes was wrong in using his own personal situation as an example of racism because the main factor was that he was found to be rubbish in a high profile post.

 

Thats because there are facts to back up that side of the argument, stats to show how much of a failure he has been in management.
What proof does he have that chairmen have turned him away because he is black? Other than his bitterness at being turned down for these management roles, he has nothing to back up what he is saying......so its baseless, bitter, bullshit.

 

To be fair you'd be bitter as well if you were discriminated around the country you represented at international level for decades. And you would probably think everything that goes against you in this country is down to racism if you were booed simply for being black for club and country.

 

Completely different time in the countries history, we are talking 25-30 years ago.
Football fans have come on leaps and bounds since then (not it isn't completely eradicated, as those idiots in Paris proved a couple months ago).

But I would concede his point, if he even offered a single shred of proof to back his claim.
Instead his argument seems to just be "Well I am black, and no one will hire me, so obviously its because I am black"
If he had a decent record then again, I could maybe concede that something is amiss...but no.....

 

But jb's post was focusing on racism within the game not Barnes in particular, its the greater issue that effects black people not John Barnes's credentials for a job in management.

 

Hows that then?
This whole thread was started because of Barnes' statement that being black has stopped him getting jobs.
Is there racism in football? Almost certainly, at some level, within some clubs.(Dave Whelan etc). I am not contesting this.

But Barnes' assertion that he is unemployed because he is black is ludicrous

 

I thought we were talking about one post in particular not the actual OP?

The Barnes managers job issue based on his record has been done to death, its about the bigger issue of the racism that effects people of a skin colour other than white within football.

 

Look at how many white managers get chance after chance despite having a mediocre record in management.

 

Then why the hell has jb spent all day arguing with me and trying to rebut my opinion about Barnes?

 

Possibly because he feels you took what he said the wrong way?

He reckons you did.

 

His stance form the off was to primarily defend Barnes, what followed was merely a debunking of the myth which he's tried and failed to turn into a racist based attack on the entire premise.

 

Right again Tobes. He is back pedalling again. The whole premise of his argument was that people are choosing to "ignore racism" because they are dismissing Barnes' accusations.
For me, focusing on Barnes' accusation does the opposite, and doesnt focus on the big picture at all, as what Barnes' is claiming is purely out of self interest and bitterness.
We do have to acknowledge the existence of racism to eradicate it, yes, and everyone on here, I feel, DOES acknowledge it and wants to see it gone. Claiming he made it up DOES help everybody. It helps everybody see past Barnes' own agenda, in which he is clearly using the current spotlight on racism caused by the Paris incident, as an excuse for his unemployment and to further his own career.....that really isn't what we need to be focusing on AT ALL and it makes a mockery of what is really important.

Rio Ferdinand pisses me off for the same reasons.

 

Some questions to ask most ordinary supporters.

Would you want Barnes as the manager of your club
A..Yes
B..NO

Why
A..Because he is black
B..Because he is not good enough

I would think that the the vast majority would anwers B to both questions so, does the fact he has not been offered another managers job indicate a racist attitude towards him
A..Yes
B..No

If you answered B to all three questions you may be entered into next months prize draw, congratulations