There are two
incidents from English soccer that relate to this week’s articles:
The first
one involves Chelsea FC fans, who started racist chants and refused to let a black man on a train after a Champions League game in Paris (Smith, 2015). As
a reaction, some Chelsea fans lifted banners during Chelsea’s next home games that
read “No to racism at the Bridge” or “Black or White, We’re all Blue”.
Similarly, Chelsea fans distanced themselves from these incidents when
interviewed by 100PctChelsea (the Youtube channel of a Chelsea fan club; see
video below). However, one fan that was interviewed in the beginning of
the video claimed that, “Chelsea should not be blamed for it” (100% Chelsea,
2015).
The second
issue also involves Chelsea FC, this time, however, in a victim role. During
last weekend’s game against Manchester United some United fans started sexist
chants directed towards Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro. While doing further
research on this incident, I have found an interesting blog entry by OwenGibson, who not only gives a detailed breakdown about sexism in sport, but also
points out on an app named “Kick it Out”, that allows fans to report any kind
of discrimination in football stadiums anonymously (Gibson, 2015).
How do you
think incidents of discrimination should be tackled? Do you agree, that clubs
should not be blamed for the actions of their fans? If yes, who do you think is
to blame for such incidents? Furthermore, what do you think about apps like
“Kick it Out”? Do you consider them a useful aid to fight discrimination?
References
100% Chelsea. (2015, February 22). Chelsea Fans Give Their
Opinions On The ParisTrain
Racism Scandal [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dDohM12UKA
Gibson, O. (2015, March 5). Sexist chanting at Chelsea’s Eva
Carneiro cannot be swept under the
carpet. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/mar/05/sexist-chanting- chelsea-eva-carneiro
Smith, H. (2015, March 11). Chelsea racism: Five men
allegedly involved in Paris Metro
incident
face court appearance. The Independent.
Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-racism-five-men-allegedly-involved-in-paris-metro-incident-face-court- appearance-10101412.html
I think racism is disgusting and I worry everyday because I have to raise my son in this environment. I can raise him to be a great young man but no matter what his race can put him in situations he has no control over. I sometimes wonder if God made us all the same color what would we do. I'm sure as humans we would find something else to discriminate against each other. Luckily I grew up with a mother who taught me to be positive through everything. I think the hardest talk I will have with my son one day will be of race because he coming into this world and it’s not his fault people feel the way they do. The fact that this is happening overseas further worsens the problem and I don’t know if it gets easier for people who are of a different race. It’s a question that haunts me and scares me for my family.
ReplyDeleteVincent Marshall
Vince,
DeleteIt makes my heart sick to know that this question haunts and scares you for your family. I have heard other Black parents express the same concerns. I wish that it were not so. I wish that I had an answer. Just as you are fortunate to have had a mother who taught you to be positive, I trust that your son will be grateful for your positive influence in his life!
Dr. Spencer
I think any and all acts of discrimination should be punished harshly and swiftly. There is no place for that kind of behavior in the world, let alone the sports arena. One of the best parts of sports is that it can bring together male and female athletes of all different races and backgrounds to work for a common goal. I think athletes who part take in sports help to break down any indifference that exist in the world. Meanwhile, you have a bunch of ignorant fans, similar to the Oklahoma fraternity incident, that show their true colors outside of the stadium. It does reflect your fan base and the fact that these same fans will cheer and seek out autographs from players and then treat people of the same race/sex with disrespect is disgusting to me. I hope these incidents bring shame on the teams and clubs because that is the only way change will come.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think incidents of discrimination will continue to exist for a long time, and it could hardly be eliminated. From the reading assignment, we know Serena encountered racial discrimination in Indian Wells 14 years ago, and most people said that fans should be blamed for their discrimination. However, discrimination always happens. I also saw this horrible news from BBC Sport, I remember that not only the female doctor suffered the taunts, but also a female assistant referee Helen Byrne also suffered the same embarrassing situation during the game.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, I do agree the Chelsea club should not be blamed for the actions of their fans. Because I think these actions resulted from fan’s individual inappropriate behaviors; the person who does discriminatory behavior should be blamed rather than club. Furthermore, the Code of Ethic of FIFA outlined the non-discrimination rule to forbid clubs or anyone who are bound by the Code to discriminate against anyone in any reason. Hence if these actions were the clubs’ faults, I believe FIFA would take action to punish the clubs. On the other hand, I think the clubs could make some banners or announcement to notify fans not to discriminate to anybody.
I do not know much about apps like “Kick it Out”, but I do not think this app is useful to eliminate discriminations because it is hard for the organization to find the person who behaves inappropriate to blame. But this kind of app could warn people that the world say no to discrimination.
---Veeco Zheng
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly disgraceful that incidents like these persist, particularly in a sport that is considered the world’s game. While I do not necessarily directly fault the club, I do think they can take further steps in discouraging this wildly inappropriate behavior. I think pre-game and post-game announcements (perhaps a video including players) as well notifications throughout the stadium could be helpful in dissuading racist actions.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don’t think apps like “Kick it Out” will be of much use in this respect. It is difficult to organize action against discrimination through that sort of medium.
This is, of course, a societal issue, that goes far beyond sport, though. The continued education of all individuals on the importance of diversity in all aspects of life is essential to potentially eradicating the problem.
Unfortunately racism and sexism is something that is just never going to completely disappear. Our world is filled with hate and nasty people and sadly people are raised to have these strong distasteful feelings about someone different from them. But with that being said there is no reason for people to act out the way they do. People can have opinions but if they are harmful then their opinions are better left unsaid. In sports things can get competitive and the passionate side of people come out to play when things get tight. Fans sometimes have that win at all costs attitude and begin doing whatever it takes to get even after a loss or even kick opponents and other fans while they are already down after they lose. And then you also get a group of ignorant people who just say whatever just because they feel they can. Discrimination in sports is unacceptable but can be eliminated if we work hard enough to address it and end it. The Kick it Out app is a great start but I don’t think it is enough to have a lasting affect on people.
ReplyDeleteJasmine Matthews
Its unbelievable that these issues still live today. I agree with Vincent when he said even if we were all the same color I'm sure as humans we would find a way to discriminate against each other. Racism should not be tolerated, that issue was supposed to be put to rest back when Martin Luther King stood up against it. The only issue with that is that people will feel the easy they feel regardless of how much society advances. I believe one day (no telling when or how long) racism will die. At least my optimism won't allow me to believe otherwise. As far as three club being blamed or held responsible for the fans, no, I don't think so. Not every fan feels that way and they can't control those that do. I do think the kick it out app is a great tool as far as raising awareness and taking a stang however, if discrimination is report, then what? I don't understand how they plan to take further action once it is reported.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Robinson
Taking a stand*
Delete