Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Wednesday February 7 2007
Time: 3:10PM
UK time is: 00:19:48
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Let's Kick It Out - The Prof's View
Most people of colour will cringe at the 'kick racism out' campaign, all players just want to get on with their game without being reminded about the colour of their skin whether that be a racist idiot in the crowd or an anti racism campaign, they are both distractions from a players ability as a footballer.
All anti racism campaigns do is highlight the problem not deal with the problem, during the world cup they had team captains reading out a load of anti racism crap before the match - all that does is piss everyone off - The problem is this, all footballers want to be recognised for their ability not their skin pigment right, so to make skin colour an issue is self defeating and telling people to stop being racist is pointless because chances are, those who judge a footballer by their skin colour aren't going to listen to anything, and an anti racism campaign only does two things - preach to the converted and bring politics into a scenario where politics should not exist.
So what's the solution? Well the problem is much deeper than a few racists at a football match which is why 'kick out racism' is misjudged. It's no coincidence that the racism is coming from countries who have no history of racial and cultural integration, Italy, Spain, many eastern European countries etc remain very secular.
The UK is way ahead of these countries in terms of social development which is why racism in football has been by and large dealt with in this country, not because of some well meaning campaign but because socially we made progress outside of football. Until places like Spain and Italy make progress socially then there is absolutely no way on earth that some campaign is going to change anything.
So just to confirm my stance on this situation, 'Kick Racism Out' is pointless, ineffective and it pisses off both black and white players and fans alike because: A) It doesn't change anything at all and B) it distracts the beautiful game by dragging a lame political duck onto the pitch rather than trying to deal with the real problem which exists outside of football.
Article submitted by Professor Calculus.
Articles submitted by Vital Arsenal members are based on the opinion of the member and not necessarily the view's of the network itself.
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Your Comments
Absolute utter rubbish. This is the last time I'll visit this sire.
rads
Make of it what you will, it's an opinion. If you choose not to visit again because you don't agree with someone else's views then we're probably better off without you!
simmy8_2000
I think you missed the point of coming to an opinion site rads. Why not tell us why it's rubbish?
Little Dutch
In general I share prof's thoughts on this issue. And LD, someone stated his opinion on the previous article only to be ridiculed and a racist, although explicitly stating that he is not one. I know banter is healthy and mocking the spuds is even healthier, but some people know not of discussion but only of making fun of someone else. and rads, you are a coward.
G4L
*called a racist
G4L
Nailed it Prof, personally I fail to see how anyone can view this otherwise. Even now remembering Beckham reading that makes my toes curl!
nikolaijns
'although explicitly stating that he is not one.' ...LOL...michael jackson said he's not a child molester.Though i do admit i was a bit rough to kidK.
k_chelski
FIFA and UEFA can have all the campaigns they like, have captains make speeches etc but when they fine clubs peanuts when fans are racist, overturn bans given to players making racist comments (as they did for the German guy who abused Anton Ferdinand), and accept that a national coach can use racial abuse as a way to motivate players then it defeats the purpose of the campaigns. It seems they only have the campaigns so that they can be seen to be doing something about the issue rather than actually caring about it.
iceman10
k_chelski, you couldn't rough up a doll let alone anyone else. kidK stated a similar point of view as this here, just could not transmit it properly since English is not the native language.
G4L
English is not my native language,i understood him perfectly, that was just to taunt him (like you all do to me right?).His point of view was,that, there is justifiable racism.
k_chelski
Inhhahah...G4L, don't be afraid.I won't bite you, that old millwall folkore that all foreigners are cannibals is not true!
k_chelski
I am foreigner too, you ****head!
G4L
Then....you know it's not true...haha.Oh come on G4L, have a little more humor.Do you agree with kidK's point of view?
k_chelski
Lads, lads there's no need to make it personal. The odd witty insult is fine but come on...let there be love...
simmy8_2000
I think kidK's point of view was misinterpreted, and I believe it's cultural differences - not racism. I back that up with Emre's situation right now. His best friend is Obafemi Martins, even from their Inter days, and he is accused of racism. I bet he gets a heavy suspension/fine, that will probably drive him away from this league. In that sense, again, I never understood why haven't Terry's shouts to Ledley King investigated? It was obvious that both Chimbonda and King were upset with something.
G4L
Because he's Engerland captain and therefore the powers that be stifled it and a swift 'brushing under the carpet' ensued.
nikolaijns
Tell me what he meant with this then ///////// : "and he didnt tell henry that he was a black *****, he told reyes. to motivate him. and nobody was suppose to hear it. its like saying to your friend "go get her bro, you are better than that ugly tall *****!" it doenst have to be rasist. it may and can be, but not every time." kidK.//////
k_chelski
yes nik, exactly my thoughts. I think it was a major cover up.
G4L
i understand what your point of view is. But reality is, majory of fans and players really just dont care about the campaign and dont let it bother them. Not once have i let it influence the experience i have of watching my team play their game of football. so if it makes some people feel like they are helping the world become an equal place. then good for them.
SonicBorg
and k_chelski your citation is exactly my answer. read the post I wrote on that article. This explains it all. "it may and can be, but not every time." - cultural differences in understanding the comprehensiveness of racism. that is no excuse but a point of view. Can you explain the Emre situation to me from your point of view?
G4L
Graham poll covering it up for chelsea?You must be out of your mind.Polly hates us!
k_chelski
Its sad, but I think Ledley did'nt wanna make a big deal about it as the upshot of it could affect his chances of getting picked for the England squad, as he could be unfairly viewed as a troublemaker esp as the player involved is a direct competitor in that position. So he decided to not kick up a fuss and maintain the status quo.
nikolaijns
Okay, could any of you do me a favor and give me a link or something about this?I'm sick and tired of people calling terry a racist.Does anyone have a link , involving a player saying that terry made racist comments?
k_chelski
here's the highlights, maybe they show it. check out the reaction by king and chimbonda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpS8MXGkyMg
G4L
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/Messageboard.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=3789 http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/showthread.php?p=891973 ..... http://www.blackchat.co.uk/theblackforum/forum36/25300.html
nikolaijns
G4L- Emre situation is quite diferent, because it happened on the pitch.On the pitch you lose your head sometimes, you say many things that maybe you didn't wish to say, just to find a week spot, or something that you know it will hurt the person you are mad at.Aragones situation was different, it was superbly abusive.I'm not saying it was right, but i understand.Every game, average footballers have their career on the line, it's constant pressure.It's like me abusing someone.Some, will get mad at say racist things about my country or me, even though they didn't mean to.IT's very different on what happens on the pitch, and in normal life.If you ever played football you know that.You can even curse your friends in a game, football is a powerful thing.
k_chelski
So to go back on you slating kid k for justifiable racism Chelski? and here you are saying the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!! sometimes its OK - if its the captain of your team, its time for you to slope quietly away now.
nikolaijns
No you idiot.Jesus, you don't know how to feckin read.I'll give you an example: You are with your wife, she made you horribly mad, you said some things you didn't want to say, and now she is mad.It's not right.But isn't a bit more human then just saying it to Bost someone's morale is WRONG!
k_chelski
hahaha, d'oh!Idiot, Jesus.* Boost** it ***
k_chelski
After looking at informations G4L and nikolajins gave me.I came up with this conclusion: Terry tackled King to the ground.If terry said racial things, wouldn't the chimbonda or other players report it to the referee?And by FIFA rules, that would be a direct red card.Don't come saying poll was a nice guy to Terry.You haven't showed me a single player coming out and saying it was racial comments.If you can't prove it, don't accuse.
k_chelski
You are a hypocrite, you try to make excuses for Terrys hate and they're pathetic, oh well, I'm off to watch my country get outmanouvered and outclassed by young Cesc, try posting on your own site there Chelski I know it's unchartered territory for you but you might enjoy it! Ciao hypocrite
nikolaijns
Oh , and Emre should be punished, i'm not saying it's justifiable.But in some cases i understand.
k_chelski
No need nikolaijins, you do it for me don't ya?i posted more than 20 times (there) today you moron.I guess it is Tchau , hypocrite.buh bye.
k_chelski
G4L thank you for trying to defend me. I know my comments didnt make it easy for you.
chelski... the qoute that you just post from me:
Tell me what he meant with this then (and second time today: its a SHE not a HE)///////// : "and he didnt tell henry that he was a black *****, he told reyes. to motivate him. and nobody was suppose to hear it. its like saying to your friend "go get her bro, you are better than that ugly tall *****!" it doenst have to be rasist. it may and can be, but not every time."
k_chelski
was answer to this : " Do me a favour and go and tell Lennox Lewis he is a big, black **** and see if he finds it rascist" . because it makes a difference if you call somebody something that you know he might find offensive or to say the same thing to somebody else (and in private) who wont even notice that what you said has a racial conotation. it does not make sense to me that a pure description of someones color can be offensive. i bet that reyes didnt think to himself "man, that comment was rasist". or that he is rasist himself. another example: what if I say "look at that cute black man/woman!" is that a rasist comment just because one of the adjectives is black? and if your answer is no, than why not?
see, its not that simple. and the political correctness confuses people and restricts them in a way. everybody has to watch what words he is using even if he has nothing against anybody. intentions are important and that was all I was trying to say
kidK
okay, sorry, it's a she then.He didn't just say black, he said black *****.If you read my other comment kidK, you'll see exactly that i understand when other people are mad.It's just not white to black, many black people say cracker, or white trash when they're mad.If a friend of you is dumped, you might say something like that.But is it right?No, it is not morally right, it just encourages racism.My ideia is the following:If a player makes racial insults on the pitch, he will receive a fine and a warning.If he does it again, it will be a two-match ban and a bigger fine.If it happens a third time, he will receive a 4 match ban, and the club will be fined.If it happens a fourth time, the player will respond to normal laws, that is, go to a normal court, and receive at least one year of jail.I think that would do.Most words kidK can be twisted in something bad, it's just not what you say, it's how you say.
k_chelski
I agree that is bad, I just dont agree that it has to be labeled racist. I didnt see HOW aragones said what he said, I just think that it is a little bid over hyped and that maybe people are over reacting. but I guess over reacting is the general trend :)
kidK
It could be labeled as apology to racism.
k_chelski
as a black man having travelled the world people are suprised when i say the UK seemed to me the most racially intergrated of the countries i have visited. i now live in australia which has a reputation of being multicultural. its true in a sense lots of cultures live here and the aussies welcome people with open arms and minds, but in terms of equality and intergration the UK is light years ahead.
mish
ohh and the article is spot on...even black people cringe when we heard them read it before games. im not saying ignore the issue just deal with it in different ways.
mish
cheers mish
kidK
This thread is in danger of upsetting the PC brigade who feel if you have a "kick racism out of football campaigne" You are doing the right thing. I have not heard racist abuse on the terraces for years.
Show me a club that plays with NO black players, is it to be suggested that supporters these shout abuse at black players in the opposing team and not their own? This campaign would have been ideal 30 years ago but these days its as out of date as hell.
col8
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