To think footballers taking the knee is hypocritical?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Do you just not like BLM?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

"we wanted it here in England" ..

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.

It's become a fad, which they feel obliged to follow. The very fact that there are so many black football players indicates that they have little to worry about. It's the fans who are regarded as racist, even though hurling insults at the opposition is traditional, whatever their colour.

But taking the knee is very VISIBLE flopen, which is the whole point. Making it into an easily visible wide-scale movement. Non confrontational, non violent.

I would call it pure affectation, now known as 'virtue -signalling'.
The sweatshops in Leicester, and elsewhere, need a proper business investigation, not protests.

yes eazy

It means a lot to some people, that's good enough for me

Me too Starblaze. It shows that there is still support.

If you were part of a targeted, minority group, visible public signals of support would be meaningful to you, from well known public figures.

flopen

*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.

A lot of symbolic things we do are, in themselves, meaningless and easy. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have a huge importance. Putting a ring on a another person’s finger is meaningless and easy, but in the context of a marriage, the ring is a big deal. Pinning a poppy on a lapel is meaningless and easy, but I’m guessing those who do it don’t consider it to be ‘virtue-signalling’.

Taking the knee is meaningless. and easy You could say the same about clapping for the NHS, but millions of us did it. Especially my across the road neighbours who did it so enthusiastically, singing and banging, with up to six friends? relatives? joining the 4 of them on their small driveway.

I would have thought that "taking the knee" would be against any slavery where ever it is - or are we forgetting the fact that there is still slavery happening in this country when young women (usually) have been brought into the country with promises of a good job and home and then find themselves working in brothels ?
Are you also going to have a go at the F1 drivers and teams ? No doubt several of the tracks worldwide, especially those in the Middle East will have been built under similar circumstances ?