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To think footballers taking the knee is hypocritical?

(116 Posts)
flopen Mon 13-Jul-20 10:04:03

Do you just not like BLM?
Where did you get that from?
No, I'm not keen on hypocrisy. Taking the knee is meaningless. and easy.

PECS Mon 13-Jul-20 09:55:09

"we wanted it here in England" ..
gringringrin

Starblaze Mon 13-Jul-20 09:55:01

Everyone can do something, you don't have to be a footballer.

It is a huge gesture because they are able to influence a lot of fans.

It inspired you to write this post but instead it could inspire you to pick a cause that matters to you right now and find a way to do something about it.

PECS Mon 13-Jul-20 09:52:15

Games have been stopped because of racism and targetting of black players.

25Avalon Mon 13-Jul-20 09:50:42

To be fair how many footballers actually want to go to Qatar in boiling hot conditions? What they do want is to play for their country whichever country that may be. Qatar was ‘chosen’ by FIFA a non elected body which has received ‘brown envelopes’ in the past to influence their choice. We wanted it here in England.

Oldwoman70 Mon 13-Jul-20 09:47:13

I would have been more impressed if, when "fans" started racist chants, all the players would have left the field - but no doubt that would have affected their careers and income.

geekesse Mon 13-Jul-20 09:45:04

I think one should be careful about using the term ‘hypocrite’. It’s a very strong criticism of individuals about whom you know very little. We are all, to some extent, guilty of hypocrisy. As 25Avalon implies, we don’t always check that the clothes we wear are produced under decent conditions, yet we denounce sweatshops. We use products which have a terrible environmental impact at the same time as we proclaim our love for the countryside. We moan about the loss of independent shops while ordering goods from Amazon. It’s easy to criticise the choices other people make, especially if we talk about a whole sector of the population rather than individuals. How many professional footballers do you know personally? Have you discussed with them their views on Qatar? If not, this is just an ill-targeted rant.

PECS Mon 13-Jul-20 09:41:48

Do you just not like BLM?

MerylStreep Mon 13-Jul-20 09:41:35

Flopen
I doubt if most of them know where Qatar is, let alone what's happening to the workers who are building the stadium ?

GagaJo Mon 13-Jul-20 09:41:06

Anyone that supports racial equality in any form is OK in my book. They have a public forum and they demonstrate in a non-violent, low key manner.

25Avalon Mon 13-Jul-20 09:38:04

I just meant Flopen, like you I guess, that footballers most of whom have pots of money, are just paying lip service rather than doing something constructive. Some, however, have spoken out against the organisation BLM who have ulterior motives. There is already “kick out racism” campaign in football which needs further endorsement - a lot is about educating fans.

flopen Mon 13-Jul-20 09:32:06

But I'm talking directly about football players. Who, given the chance, will be playing in Qatar.
And yes, let's have protests about what's happening in Leicester. Or, better still, stop buying cheap, disposable, clothing.

25Avalon Mon 13-Jul-20 09:28:24

How about a protest about these ‘slave’ conditions in Leicester sweat shops?

flopen Mon 13-Jul-20 09:24:36

But I've heard nothing about any footballer protesting about what's happening in Qatar. They'll all happily go a play there, given the chance.
Taking the knee is so easy, and makes you look good. What's not to like about it? Except it achieves precisely nothing.

PECS Mon 13-Jul-20 09:21:59

Just because I wear a Poppy in November does not mean I don't also support other charities the rest of the year!

Taking the knee in support of BLM is a positive public gesture showing support for equality.

It does not preclude / prevent support for other causes! It is happening more now because it is current high profile issue because of the killing by the police officer Derek Chauvin in USA.

flopen Mon 13-Jul-20 09:09:19

My DH watches football a lot. It really gets on my nerves to see footballers taking the knee in support of BLM at the start of a match when I've not heard one of them protest against the working conditions of those building the stadium for the World Cup in Qatar, which amount to slavery.
They're happy to make meaningless gestures but indifferent to issues which they could actively do something about.