Great Article It's funny how these things work. For the last two weeks on World Soccer Weekly we've been focusing on racism in European football, particularly Poland. All of of this was precipitaed by an excellent article by James Gordon in Four Four Two magazine entitled "Welcome to Hell" Go to our website at www.worldsoccerweekly.com and click on the link entitled "Racism in football - you won't believe this!" to hear our interview with him. Nick
It's interesting how Americans won't tolerate the sort of racist chants and gestures that are displayed across much of Europe - yet in many, many circles, we're the ones considered rude and uncivilized. I'm glad there's improvement, though. It's sad how far it still has to go. For that matter, I'm not saying America is where it should be - but Kasey Keller is right - no fans anywhere in the NBA would make monkey noises at Jordan.
The problem is serious and alarming. One of the great attributes of MLS is the family environment in the games and I'm thankful that we don't have to battle these sorts of overt problems here. What was unbelievable to me in the Four Four Two article was the picture of the huge banner that supporters unfurled at Warsaw Sadium that read "Arbeit Mach Frei". Can you imagine? Nick
I think it's important not to get complacent, though. It's far more subtle, but I have heard comments (on these boards, for example) that are tinged with prejudice. Mostly, though, I hope that we can mirror the enthusiasm of fans around the world without the rancor or racism. Sometimes it's not that we're polite, we're just lazy or uninspiring.
America has a long way to go in general in regards to racism, but we've made significant strides in sports. I've been to quite a few American sporting events in my life, and I have yet to hear monkey noises or other racist epithets.
i've unfortunately heard quite a few... and d.k. nails something that popped up in the gold cup (although i'm not sure if that's what he meant) i think intensity is great, but make sure you are directing it in the correct manner...
I thought I heard some people on here talking about comments that were made at yank national team games afew months back.. If I remember rightly there were people complaining about chants against koreans (or some other asian nation) and mexicans in another match... If that is correct than dont get all high and mighty about this subject.. you aint different to anybody else..
In regards to what? This is said soooooooo often, that it becomes something mechanical, like the pledge of alliegence...it is said with no thought whatsoever to the reality of today. It is as if you have to say this in order to be considered politically correct enough to make a greater point! If your point was in regards to Affirmitive action? Quotas practices in promotion? Race Base admission policies? Set Aside federal and state contract programs? Then I stand corrected... At what point is treating everyone equally mean just that? Anywho, rant over...Now back to our discussion...
Well, we still have to wait for europeans to make "significant strides" and start name their teams Krakow Jews or Belgrade Muslims. IMHO a country that accepts that teams are called Redskins or Indians and thinks Chief Iliniwek is fun halftime entertainment still has a long way to go before they can start lecturing others...
Ever dressed up as a black guy, then hailed a cab or walked around a department store or walk in an upper class neighborhood? Or changed your name to "Jamal" then applied for a job? Or put on a turban and got on a plane? And I don't say this very often, but sinner has a point. Racial taunts against Asians and Hispanics are still accepted to a certain extent.
Sorry...but we are different-which has zero to do with being "high and mighty," or that fact that America has problems/history with race and racism. What you see at stadiums in Europe-it's just not even comparable. To quote Arrigo Sacchi re : Italy's recent problems: "We have the least habitable, the most uncivilized and poorly educated stadiums in the world. The sporting culture here is broadly deficient." There is nothing in American stadium culture even close. There are many deeper social/historical reasons why this is such. But considering all of the talk about an "New Europe," and EU, I think looking at racism in soccer is an interesting angle to examine the changes in the broader popular culture. For instance are some of these incidents a reaction/fear of this idea of a New Europe and a loss of national identity?
This is always disturbing to me. What's the point of living in a world of such beauty and promise if you have to worry about your safety simply because you look differently than the native people of a given country or community? Being African Anerican and coming from a fairly multi ethnic family I never really understood racism is simply fear and ignorance because in San Francisco all the stuff I have experienced was either very subtle or not at all. So it makes me uncomfortable to know that I may be subjected to abuse if I want to study German in Germany or Italian and French in the respective countries of origin or might not be able to attend football matches because I could become a target. America is different than Europe simply becase the indigenious peoples of this country are not in a poosition of power, that falls to the former colonists. So really, the US is the only country damn near comprised entirely of refugees who emigrated stateside as far back as the 15th Century.
This statement is the ultimate in political correctness. The reason the "black guy" has problems in these situations is because taxi cab drivers and store security have had bad experiences with certain races far more often than others. Crime statistics overwhelmingly support this. If you wear a turban on a plane why would you not get searched more than others considering the highjackers from 9/11 were all Muslim. The only reason you wouldnt be searched more is political correctness.
Your hyperbole aside, I'm not sure you understand what a people of certain races go through to live life in America. - So cab drivers are afraid that black passengers will rob them or not tip. So you refuse a ride to a black guy in a business suit in the Financial District? Are there stats on crimes committed by men wearing dark suits? - I understand a department's store wanting to protect its business from crime, but is it reasonable for a store employee tailing a black customer wherever he goes, to the point where the customer feels uncomfortable? - Or on the flip side, is are store employees trying to prevent crime by ignoring a black customer looking for help? - The plane example, I should have been clearer. Increased scrutiny at security, I can understand. But on several occasions, muslim passengers were asked to deboard after other passengers complained that they were uncomfortable. Why not allow the complaining passengers to take a later flight? That's the standard procedure any time a passenger is uncomfortable. I understand that there US has made strides in dealing with racism and it's a lot more comfortable being a minority in the US than some other nations, but when someone says "America has a long way to go", it's a fact, not a PC cliché.
Avoid eastern Europe (including former east germany), Lazio, Hellas Verona, Espanyol and you should be allright.
Yeah, I might decide to study in Badden Wurtengerg (sp?) so that's no biggie...As far as Lazio scum go you're right, won't attend any derbies anytime soon.