Racism in football — The importance of taking the knee.
I had little intention of writing how I feel about this issue, but after recent events of booing by England fans, I have decided to try and address how I feel about the gesture of taking the knee by England players and how the move has been received by a proportion of England fans.
It is important that the meaning behind the gesture is understood and acknowledged for its positive connotations and meaning as opposed to the negative ones that have recently been perceived. For me and many others who support the move of England and elite sports players to take the knee, the move simply highlights the mass racial inequality and racism that is widespread throughout England as a nation.
The negative response is especially disappointing given the past 2 years have seen multiple high-profile racist events, followed by a strong stance and reaction against racism. Instances of racial abuse the England players were subjected to have ranged from the Bulgarian fans in the seats of the Vasil Levski Stadium to increasing abuse on social media platforms, highlighted by Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker speaking openly about being abused online last month, after their Champions League defeat to Chelsea.
It seems that booing the gesture of taking the knee is a sign of undoing the positive reaction condemning racist abuse that is slowly taking over the game. Initiatives such as the Kick it Out campaign, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation, and the Football Supporter’s Association (FSA) work tirelessly to remove unwanted and unacceptable abuse from the game. Both have strongly denounced fans who choose to boo, with the FSA Chief Executive, Kevin Miles stating strongly how supporters who make booing their first participation in the game “should be ashamed of themselves.” This, joined with Gareth Southgate’s persistence on the stance from within the England camp to continue taking the knee, shows the dedication to the cause, of highlighting racial inequality.
Those who decide to boo, for me only signal a lack of understanding and comprehension behind the meaning of such a symbolic gesture. To such people, the justification behind the choice to boo and show public disagreement with the move is due to its association as a political ‘militant’ sign. It is comprehensible to see how simply taking the knee has now become an act of tokenism, but what is more important is that taking the knee is understood by all to be a sign of inclusivity and equality on even the grandest of stages, and what better time to do so than the 2021 UEFA European championships.
I must mention that by discussing my stance on this, I do not feel that by simply taking the knee racial inequality and divisions will be resolved, but do I feel that it is a start to highlight the issues? Yes. It is a simple gesture that can be recognised on a grand scale. The act of booing at England’s decision to take the knee isn’t just an attack on the players’ decision to do so, but directly at what it represents. The strict message of unity that the current England squad is maintaining is an example that many should follow, one of inclusivity and tolerance. This issue is a matter of opinion, but I would urge those who refuse to condemn such actions by supporters to familiarise themselves with the meaning and image that the simple act of taking the knee is aiming to portray.
