Sorry about the title. I tweaked Cuau's quote and put it in our context. I cannot imagine a DCU player ever saying something like that and remaining on the team, but for the sake of understanding what Chicago fans are going through, let's imagine that has just happened. What would be the appropriate response from DC fans? The closest we have gotten to that kind of disrespect came from Quaranta when the Galaxy played DCU at RFK, but he was not with DCU. Thoughts?
Take a closer at the matter. I think Blanco might be calling the kettle black, but he is right to some extent. But he is on the field with cameras aimed, ref's, officials, and other athletes, but when the crowd gets drunk and rowdy and starts taking out on some stadium security guard just trying to make a living, thats when the passion goes too far. I commend Blanco for calling out his own supporters and protecting others employed or hired by his club. I'd like to think with all the smoke bombs, beer throwing cigar smoking that goes on, that DC United fans still have a pretty good relationship with security. People need to still remain respectful to the authority and maintain good judgment. If the DC fans ever truly went too far, I'd hope someone on the team has the courage to do say something about it.
I don't think the issue is that anyone called out bad behavior. There are less dismissive and inflammatory ways of doing it than calling your customers 'garbage'. The way he did it shows real arrogance.
I think when a certain large group of fans conducts a planned protest at the game, it's pretty obvious who he is talking about.
This is all I say about the matter, for a guy like Blanco to condemn Hispanic fans for their behavior says a lot. I'm not going to be one of these crazy bloggers who has to dissect one line of footballers broken English into a freakin' essay. I interpret his statement as: I am Blanco, I am Hispanic, and I call a group of Chicago fans garbage for claiming racism against Hispanics when they drink too much and break the rules that security is hired to enforce. I don't have a history of this 'bad guy' Blanco cataloged in my head, I don't have the time or energy. I'm just not going to take a bust up on a football field and turn it into a Blanco internet bashing party. I would suggest if you don't like the guy, you don't let him waste your time doing so. The bad only thing that can from these statements is his reputation is hurt and then maybe it brings some press to a situation, which the group he is condemning obviously wants. I could be wrong, its just how I see it.
A "security guard just trying to make a living" does not call the Latino fans "spics" and "wetbacks". Your description of what happened contradicts the statements of everyone present. If you have evidence to the contrary, please let's see it. Otherwise, you're absurdly off base here.
You should certainly feel free to live in your dispassionate, detached cloud, but you should consider a couple of things. First, there is a long (documented) history of unfair treatment of Hispanic fans at Toyota Park. To dismiss it as the rantings of drunk fans is glib at best. Second, Blanco has a long history of poor behavior. You say "for a guy like Blanco to condemn Hispanic fans for their behavior says a lot." Yes, it does. It says that he cares so little for one of his core constituencies that a) he isn't willing to see what ongoing investigations find, and b) he isn't willing to say something even vaguely diplomatic as might befit a superstar/DP/prima donna (you pick the phrase) You know, it might even have a little something to do with his personal bodyguard owning the security agency accused of misbehavior. You want to defend Blanco. That's fine. In your eagerness to do so, don't dismiss the concerns that many, many others have.
Yes. It reminds us that his personal bodyguard owns the security company involved. No, that's not a joke: the security personnel accused of racist behavior were representing a security company owned by Blanco's personal bodyguard. Your eyesight is bad.
As far as the original post/topic of the thread is concerned: 1. While I cringe at the idea of defending Blanco, there is apparently disagreement between Spanish speakers over the correct translation to English of what Blanco said. The difference of opinion is whether the statement expressed a negative opinion about the fans, or about what the fans did (the anti-racism protest). I don't speak Spanish, and have no opinion of my own. And further, even if he was criticizing the protest, I think that's a pretty crappy thing to do on his part. I just want to make clear that some listeners to the audio transcript disagree that he said "the fans are [garbage]." 2. What does this have to do with DC United?
First I am going to assume everyone present is a fan, I am not sure where the security guard forum is. I have not offered any evidence and don't have any to offer(if you have documented proof, no forums or blogs please, then please feel free to quote it). I think that shinning a light on this situation is a good thing. I just don't think Blanco calling the fans garbage should be focal point, I think the situation that made him say it should be, no matter who is at fault. This forum topic started off as a 'how would we feel if a player said this about us?' The question should be 'how would we feel if a player said this about us when there is an ongoing struggle between fans and security with racist tension?' I personally think the MLS has a bad timing when it comes to these matters that may involve bad publicity, they either rush in or wait until players have to start making comments to the press. I don't appreciate the personal attacks. My statements are well thought out and supported. I only hope the next word after glib on your learn a word a day e-mails isn't rantings.
The reporter who wrote Blanco quote in question has a blog post about the whole thing. I'm sure someone else has a link to it.
In the public reports on the subsequent communications/meetings between the Chicago Fire and the ISA, even Monterrey Security and the team F.O. have not made the accusation that the entire Sector Latino was drunk. Meanwhile, yes fans, but fans who are not members of Sector Latino at all, have asserted (in significant numbers) that alcohol was not a factor. It's hard to imagine an alcohol issue that would require the removal of the entire Sector Latino, but none of the non-Latino members of Section 8 surrounding them. Again, if you have evidence to the contrary that supports your accusations of drunkenness being an issue, please bring it forward. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Oh, also . . . While I'm not Matt and cannot speak for him, his use of the word "glib" was correct. You yourself described what occurred by "when the crowd gets drunk and rowdy and starts taking out on some stadium security guard just trying to make a living, thats when the passion goes too far"; but then you subsequently admitted that you have no evidence supporting that as a description of what happened, and no basis to contradict the large number of eyewitnesses who say otherwise. That doesn't seem particularly "well thought out and supported". And from M-W, glib adj. 1 a: marked by ease and informality : nonchalant b: showing little forethought or preparation : offhand <glib answers> c: lacking depth and substance : superficial <glib solutions to knotty problems> Seems like a fair use of the word to me.
Dude, learn the meaning of the word before you say I use it incorrectly. I don't do personal attacks. I pointed out why I thought your statements were neither well thought out nor supported. And your last little comment was unnecessary (and bordering on a personal attack, I might add.)
Is this true Matt?? Do you get all of your big, fancy words from a word-of-the-day email?? This whole time i just thought you were smart! ;-)