O/T well said Dion Dublin

[Brin]

At last…. a black person speaking total common sense on black issues.

I’m currently watching Football Focus and the presenter Alex Scott starts to talk about Black History week in football. Quick as a flash, Dion butts in and says it’s about time we also had a White History Week in football. He went on to say it’s a 50/50 thing and blacks should learn about whites as whites should know of the black history…..bloody well done that man!

[Pocket rocket]

He will be getting sack then.

[John2]

Well, it would make more sense to just have a football history month, because there's been no struggle or obstacles for white people in football, whereas for black people to gain acceptance, to not be abused, to get equal opportunities has come a long way but is still an ongoing battle.

Looking back at what some of the black football pioneers had to endure is shocking. The overt racism and chants at games in years gone by. I think overcoming that and the bravery of those individuals is something to be recognised and celebrated.

Can you give examples of white specific issues or players where we've had similar triumphs to be recognised? I'm open minded to the idea.

[Pocket rocket]

John serious question and not meant to be facetious.

A few people of colour I know think that the best way to combat racism is to stop talking about it.
It’s an interesting take on it.
YAK is a person of colour and he thinks black history month is counter productive.

What’s your thoughts?

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

John serious question and not meant to be facetious.

A few people of colour I know think that the best way to combat racism is to stop talking about it.
It’s an interesting take on it.
YAK is a person of colour and he thinks black history month is counter productive.

What’s your thoughts?

It is counter productive.

A guy I know who many would regard as " woke" said to me the other day he was sick and tired of hearing black folks moaning. Those were nigh on his exact words

[sawmiller]

Many people on both sides of this phoney culture war are getting sick and tired of it - hear the same from both views - distracts from other more important stuff

[flourbasher]

John serious question and not meant to be facetious.

A few people of colour I know think that the best way to combat racism is to stop talking about it.
It’s an interesting take on it.
YAK is a person of colour and he thinks black history month is counter productive.

What’s your thoughts?

Pocket hope you are well and still allowed to go to games or has she stopped that

I know a black professional footballer and he says exactly what You have conveyed
He is completely against the knee for the same reasons.
Sick to death of do Gooders making it worse
Rather than the George Floyd aftermath helping he thinks it's set the issue back years

Just to be clear these are a black persons thoughts given to me unsolicited

[MillersTime]

I don't wish for a white history week in football, I don't wish for a black history week in football. Futile pushing on an open door or one locked shut. The non racists will still be non racist and the racists will still be racists, regardless.

[John2]

John serious question and not meant to be facetious.

A few people of colour I know think that the best way to combat racism is to stop talking about it.
It’s an interesting take on it.
YAK is a person of colour and he thinks black history month is counter productive.

What’s your thoughts?

It's complicated. Black people have a wide diversity of opinion, just many of my fellow white millersmad posters disagree with me on many things.

I have a very close friend who is of black caribbean ancestry, though as British as you or I. She resents discussion of race issues and would much rather we all stopped giving it attention. However she has also had the n word shouted at her by a random person cycling past on the street within the last 24 months.

The psychology of people that have suffered from racism varies tremendously. Some are just fed up of it and don't want to engage with it and want to get on with life. Others are angry and want their voice heard and for it to be addressed head on. I can empathise with both perpsectives.

Personally I feel some white people are desperate to cling on to any black voice which downplays the problem of race. Cherry picking, and using those voices to dismiss the opinions of others.

The idea that 'talking about racism makes the problem worse' is one I hear parroted here a lot, but not one I think stands up to any scrutiny if you think about it.

I think talking about racism and really questioning our behaviour makes people feel uncomfortable, and lots of people don't like to do that. And what these people are really saying, white and black, is that they don't want to feel uncomfortable. But I don't think that makes the problem go away, it just keeps the discomfort with those who suffer the ongoing effects of racism.

Growing up in Rotherham as a white person, I was completely ignorant to how different the experience is for me compared to others. It's only by meeting people and hearing their stories I've had my eyes opened. I can understand how many people on here would also be ignorant to the reality and scale of the problem.

Is discussing racism the magical solution that will solve the legacy of centuries of slavery, and injustice and people treating others differently purely because of the melanin content of their skin? No, of course not.

I aspire for that same world your friend does, where we don't need to talk about racism because the melanin content of a person's skin has no more relevance in society than the melanin content of someone's hair. I just know that while my friend is getting abuse shouted at her just for talking down the street with darker skin, I have to disagree with her about whether we are ready to stop talking about racism yet.

[Pocket rocket]

Really well reasoned post.
I appreciate your opinion John.

I agree that hopefully one day we won’t have to keep discussing it.
Genuinely don’t know what the answer is.
I can see both sides of the argument.