"gesture politics"

Surely whatever the majority of the population giving recognition to one or both is fine?
Plus, I'm fairly sure the majority of the population are able to google, so they would know what it represents.

Doodledog

This is the image that the 'taking the knee' gesture references.

It is the abolitionist 'am I not a man and a brother' symbol, which goes back to at least 1788, when medallions showing the image were sent to Benjamin Franklin.

Clearly, there are resonances with the manner of the murder of George Floyd; but the image itself (and the gesture of taking the knee) is not new.

That’s what I was talking about! Where did you see it?

This is the image that the 'taking the knee' gesture references.

It is the abolitionist 'am I not a man and a brother' symbol, which goes back to at least 1788, when medallions showing the image were sent to Benjamin Franklin.

Clearly, there are resonances with the manner of the murder of George Floyd; but the image itself (and the gesture of taking the knee) is not new.

Esspee

The origin of the gesture is obscure for the majority of the population. Too them it is associated with a knee on the neck which ended Floyd’s life.

Then they are wrong aren’t they?

The origin of the gesture is obscure for the majority of the population. Too them it is associated with a knee on the neck which ended Floyd’s life.

also Jennifer's only post on this thread was to make a pop at me, duly noted Jennifer. I don't think I am the unpleasant one

JenniferEccles

I guess the unpleasant comment refers to Priti Patel.

Oh I agree with Jane judge.

Racist bullies are never popular in my opinion.

JenniferEccles

I guess the unpleasant comment refers to Priti Patel.

oh well, at least I only make unpleasant comments about unpleasant people - other people are much more guilty of incitement of her kind of of rhetoric and behaviour which is much more deeply unpleasant

I guess the unpleasant comment refers to Priti Patel.

It goes much further back than that, when those showing solidarity with those suffering racial abuse they are adopting a pose used in a picture by abolitionists during the 18-19 century.
It shows a manacled slave on one knee.

M0nica

*MoorlandMooner . It dates to the 1960s and Marin Luther King. The 2016 occasion of its use was a revival (see above)

Thank you M0nica. I need to learn more about this so appreciate that.

www.snopes.com/news/2020/06/12/george-floyd-criminal-record/
Perhaps read this, and then the policeman's record.

JaneJudge

the woman is foul

Who is foul please JaneJudge?

*MoorlandMooner . It dates to the 1960s and Marin Luther King. The 2016 occasion of its use was a revival (see above)

"I would never make, or encourage others to make the gesture which glorifies George Floyd. He didn’t deserve what happened to him but was a thoroughly detestable person "

The action of taking the knee began four years before the murder of George Floyd.

I would really urge people to read George's story before taking away this posters opinion of him as a detestable man.

the woman is foul

Does it matter what the gesture is as long as people understand what it means.

Er you dont get to decide what way people decide to protest.

If the young English team think taking the knee is appropriate, then it is appropriate.

Let’s now look at the reason for the action which is racism and how so many suffer from its consequences.

It goes back even further than that.

But the focus should not be on the action.

The focus should be on the reason for the action.

Whitewavemark2

Esspee

The problem with “taking the knee” is that the Black Lives Matter has associated it with the appalling death of George Floyd.
I am 100% against racism and my life demonstrates this. I would never make, or encourage others to make the gesture which glorifies George Floyd. He didn’t deserve what happened to him but was a thoroughly detestable person.

There speaks someone who has no understanding of the motive behind the English teams decision to take the knee.

You have been told time and again by the English team members that the are taking the knee the reason and motive for doing so.

You are against racism just as they are. They are using one way of showing their solidarity with the millions that are suffering this abuse, you no doubt have another way.

Who are you to say they are wrong?

I know nothing about the English football team Whitewavemark2. I’m not English and have no interest in the sport.
My comment was about how I feel personally regarding the American gesture “taking the knee”.
I stated “I would never make, or encourage others to make the gesture”.
Perhaps instead of copying the Americans there needs to be an alternative more in keeping with our culture.
Perhaps people holding each other by the hand to show solidarity. I’m sure gransnetters could come up with something appropriate.

On R4 today it was said that the taking the knee gesture is not a recent gesture, but dates back to Martin Luther King and him 'taking the knee' with others, in prayer, in Selma, Virginia before going to prison as a result of his Civil Rights campaign.

Here is the link and photograph[[ globalnews.ca/news/3769534/martin-luther-king-jr-take-a-knee-history]]/

What we have now, is a revival of an action with a deep history within the Civil Rights movement. Perhaps, some of those who do this and have a religious fail, should be seen to pray for the cause when they use this gesture.

I actually Wikipedia’d George Floyd to find out more about him. Yes, he’d been involved in several crimes and had an addiction problem. But looking back at the history of his family, an ancestor who had been a slave was freed and owned his own land land but that was taken from him by white farmers. How different would the family and ultimately George Floyd have been if black people hadn’t been treated like that over the centuries?

Taking the knee does not glorify George Floyd. It has always been about racism not just one man.

One of my son's team at work was in tears as her 11 year old son, who has suffered verbal abuse was recently beaten up just because he is black. He doesn't understand why the other boys don't like him.

An example of every day racism.

Esspee

The problem with “taking the knee” is that the Black Lives Matter has associated it with the appalling death of George Floyd.
I am 100% against racism and my life demonstrates this. I would never make, or encourage others to make the gesture which glorifies George Floyd. He didn’t deserve what happened to him but was a thoroughly detestable person.

There speaks someone who has no understanding of the motive behind the English teams decision to take the knee.

You have been told time and again by the English team members that the are taking the knee the reason and motive for doing so.

You are against racism just as they are. They are using one way of showing their solidarity with the millions that are suffering this abuse, you no doubt have another way.

Who are you to say they are wrong?