Taking the Knee

[WBA123]

I find it interesting that you set up a username 8 years ago at a time when this forum was almost ruined by a political zealot, a person banned more times than Willie Johnston (he played for West Brom in the 1970’s by the way)

This person kept returning under various usernames, it was always politics, absolutely no interest in football or our club.

So you set something up in a football forum in 2013 and the first time you post is 2021 and immediately and exclusively it’s deeply political.

Maybe I’m just an old cynic but I smell a rodent called Roland.

How’s Spit the dog by the way?

You really don't have to call into question people's sincerity or motives simply because they have a different opinion to you. This is a message board for that very purpose.

[Leicesterbaggie]

I have no issue with players taking the knee, I respect their right to protest.

I just don't understand why they persevere with it, because its obviously not bringing people together to fight against inequality. And its divisive.

At the moment people see taking the knee as solidarity with BLM as a political movement. If people want to disagree with a political movement, they have every right to do that.

I don't know what it is, but they should do some other symbol or gesture which has a greater effect. This would also root out the racists.

So I guess, my point is that the taking the knee message is getting lost, because of its association with BLM. What do you think the solution is?

We often disagree on political issues 123 but I am totally with you on this. 'Taking the Knee' is becoming the opposite of what it was intended to achieve. The BLM is the problem so as you say, let's use the 'Kick It Out' campagne instead and perhaps have all the players standing side by side for a short period of time before the game. In that way everybody will know the intention with no political issues involved. Just a thought.

[baggieal]

You really don't have to call into question people's sincerity or motives simply because they have a different opinion to you. This is a message board for that very purpose.

Let me think! Username made up eight years ago but not until last week active - zero football contribution but opposing those views on taking the knee and political views to the far left! Sounds very dodgy!

Makes childish responses and calls out my lack of understanding for things such as "For the love of God, ISIS didn't even exist before the Iraq war"


Perhaps this poster needs to go away for another eight years and read up on history! ISIL actually originated about 4 years prior to the Iraq war when they pledged an allegiance to Al-Qaeda.

On many occasions those who are so far to the left do so for family reasons and have an inferiority complex ie Meghan Markle - going on about this, that and the other. For God sake the woman is gorgeous looking and anybody would think she was white or even Latino. Who would care anyway!

I respect any person who supports taking the knee as much as any person who feels the need to boo without any undertones.

[phild]

Gareth Southgate as to go, surely. I am now getting sick and tired of this bloke spouting this divisive tosh. England WILL get booed at the Euros which will no doubt affect the teams performance. I am now past caring if England get beaten by every team they play.

Just stick to football its what the fans have paid for. They have not paid so they can be lectured and patronised.

https://tinyurl.com/c3swwf7a

[mickd1961]

Gareth Southgate as to go, surely. I am now getting sick and tired of this bloke spouting this divisive tosh. England WILL get booed at the Euros which will no doubt affect the teams performance. I am now past caring if England get beaten by every team they play.

Just stick to football its what the fans have paid for. They have not paid so they can be lectured and patronised.

https://tinyurl.com/c3swwf7a

Southgate is no doubt spouting all this stuff because he feels under pressure to do so.

I think it’ll become par for the course for the top people at sports teams in the U.K. to convince at interview time that they’ll get on board fully with whatever cause celebre is deemed necessary.

Back in the day if anyone in Sunday football made a racist comment to one of our team it’d be treated with a punch in the gob and everyone wading in to aid their team mate, I’d much have preferred to see Anton Ferdinand smack the racist John Terry in the mouth than have to suffer the mealy mouthed response by the FA.

The Ferdinand documentary a couple of weeks ago was a really interesting watch.

All you can hope to do is keep your own house in order, Southgate’s job is to lay down the law to his squad on racism and hope that leading by example rubs off.

I was watching Albion from the early 70’s and for anyone wearing rose tinted specs I can assure you our fans were as racist and homophobic as any other fans.

Chanting at Luther Blissett.......”Zigger zagger zigger, Blissett is a n****r” and to Elton John at the same match......”Elton John and his homo***uals”......I’d like to bet there’s a few on here who remember that night!?

I’m not saying life is perfect but I can’t remember the last time I heard any racist comment or booing of a black player at our place or at 99% of other grounds.

Football in general is a million miles away from what it was 30-40 years ago.

[OWV]

I have no issue with players taking the knee, I respect their right to protest.

I just don't understand why they persevere with it, because its obviously not bringing people together to fight against inequality. And its divisive.

At the moment people see taking the knee as solidarity with BLM as a political movement. If people want to disagree with a political movement, they have every right to do that.

I don't know what it is, but they should do some other symbol or gesture which has a greater effect. This would also root out the racists.

So I guess, my point is that the taking the knee message is getting lost, because of its association with BLM. What do you think the solution is?

I really don't know, I'm unsure whether they should carry on and show resilience or just find another avenue. Perhaps it should just be left to individuals to make their own decisions? It's a tough one. As much as there are people who are against it and they aren't racist themselves, there will certainly be some who use it as a cover. I've seen some people call it a Marxist threat, which is utterly absurd.

The whole thing is just a shame, a gesture that'd meant to shed light on equality has become such a sore point that it detracts from the message. Also, there's part of me that just wonders why some people get so heated about it and are so against, it's not actually affecting any of our lives in our negative way? But as i've said elsewhere, some people thrive in negativity, sad really.

[baggieal]

I really don't know, I'm unsure whether they should carry on and show resilience or just find another avenue. Perhaps it should just be left to individuals to make their own decisions? It's a tough one. As much as there are people who are against it and they aren't racist themselves, there will certainly be some who use it as a cover. I've seen some people call it a Marxist threat, which is utterly absurd.

The whole thing is just a shame, a gesture that'd meant to shed light on equality has become such a sore point that it detracts from the message. Also, there's part of me that just wonders why some people get so heated about it and are so against, it's not actually affecting any of our lives in our negative way? But as i've said elsewhere, some people thrive in negativity, sad really.

Individuals are making their own decisions if you have not seen - there's a number of black players who stand up and won't take the knee! Good for them.

You mention the word "sad" As some black players stand and don't take the knee, then it will be sad if there's any negativity towards white players if they stand and don't take the knee! We know the snowflakes will pounce!

Useless managers like Southgate talk about unity and togetherness about taking the knee - well players are individuals so Southgate should butt out of a personal decision taken by a player - which certainly is not a footballing one whatsoever!

[WBA1955]

With respect, that's not really a specific reason. I want to understand the nuts and bolts of it. Is being fed up of something a valid reason to be so vehemently against it?

It may not be the answer you want but in my case it's perfectly genuine..
I get bored very easily.
It's disgusting the way black people and other minorities were treated in the past and still are in some countries today.
But don't forget it is Albion who gave the incentive to so many black people who are in the game today, something they openly admit.
I would be more impressed if the protesters did it in real racist countries like Russia the Ukraine, Poland, the USA and a lot of middle eastern countries, rather than the most tolerant country on earth that fought to give them the right to protest.

[baggieal]

I don't think the national anthem should be played before domestic games, I don't see the point. As Yarm said, most of the players are foreign anyway at the top level. International games makes sense because there are national teams playing each other.

I want England to win in every sport, and I'm British but I don't subscribe to the thought that this is the best country in the world. I don't think I'd live here if my wife wasn't so keen to stay. There are socio-economic problems in this country, and much stems from the very top - who we elect every 4 years. But then every country has its issues I guess.

Also, I thought read somewhere that England players do donate their fees to charity? I think Gary Neville introduced it when he was playing. I stand corrected if I'm wrong.

Be honest OWV.......you’ve no interest here other than all the political stuff.

What’s your agenda?

It may not be the answer you want but in my case it's perfectly genuine..
I get bored very easily.
It's disgusting the way black people and other minorities were treated in the past and still are in some countries today.
But don't forget it is Albion who gave the incentive to so many black people who are in the game today, something they openly admit.
I would be more impressed if the protesters did it in real racist countries like Russia the Ukraine, Poland, the USA and a lot of middle eastern countries, rather than the most tolerant country on earth that fought to give them the right to protest.

Wow - well said Des and completely true!

[OWV]

Individuals are making their own decisions if you have not seen - there's a number of black players who stand up and won't take the knee! Good for them.

You mention the word "sad" As some black players stand and don't take the knee, then it will be sad if there's any negativity towards white players if they stand and don't take the knee! We know the snowflakes will pounce!

Useless managers like Southgate talk about unity and togetherness about taking the knee - well players are individuals so Southgate should butt out of a personal decision taken by a player - which certainly is not a footballing one whatsoever!

Well I believe 2 Romanian players remained standing on Sunday for a start. That's hardly set the world ablaze.