Most liked posts in thread: Players taking the knee

If it makes them feel better then crack on. I agree with your sentiment, it makes no difference to me what they do.

 

I contacted the T&A (the editor and Simon Parker) asking them if they would run an article on it, contacting the club to ask what their stance on it was.

This season especially, when we have a new Manager and players, surely the club do not want this divide between fans to players and player to player which may disrupt a promotion push. Also to undo all the good work that Ryan Sparks is doing.

Already at home games (and away) we hear boo's, fans turning their backs to the players and of course fans applauding as is their right.
Time the club spoke out in order to get everyone onside in this respect, not divided and this is why taking the knee at VP should stop.
The T&A and Simon Parker haven't even had the decency to reply to me.

Are you reading this SP????

 

I have no problem with players taking the knee but i question just how much difference has been made by taking the knee. Racism was around a long time before the knee was taken and will be around a long time after the gesture has outlived its novelty. And because you'll never eliminate racism in society the powers that be seem unsure as to whether to end the gesture or not so its easier to just keep doing it. That said, it makes no difference to me personally what they do. But for all the gestures posteuring, it didn't seem to sway the Hungarian fans.

 

I respect your opinion on this Birky, also everyone elses, I hope that people can equally accept mine.

I have to say that taking the knee in UK football did not happen until the George Floyd affair along with the BLM riots in the UK when our historic statues were damaged and our National Flag was burnt - in front of our Police force who not only stood back but some also took the knee to the offenders.
SKY Sports commentators (Tyler & Neville for two) stated that taking the knee was "in support of the Black Lives Matter movement"
We also had the BLM banner pushed across the screens at any opportunity.

This gesture was then conveniently changed when fans protested to "against racism" when there is already the"Kick It Out" campaign.

We all want an end to racism but players and clubs must find another way to protest.
Why not take the knee at the end of the game and those that want to applaud can stay back and do so.
I wonder how many will?

 

Play football...?

 

Where on earth have i said anything to warrant that? I'm thinking Bantam begins was right, as soon as someone think they know your mind better than you do then its time to step out of the discussion.

 

if anyone wanted an example of white privilege this is it. Total lack of understanding and empathy. I take it you think gay people should be offended by homophobia either?
Strange how you think people shouldn't care about racism yet a peaceful protest with people taking a knee offends you

 

Playing devils advocate here, having heard from the likes of Les Ferdinand and his take on the knee, i'm not sure other black players share his view but are worried that if they stop doing it they will seen as an 'Uncle Tom'

 

There will a lot more who agree with their view but will take the knee because it avoids confrontation.

 

As long as it draws attention to racism & creates debate, just as it’s doing right now on here then I’m all for it staying.
The time to stop is when 100% of the crowd are a bit MEH about it. Clearly from the comments on this thread were miles from that point.
My worry is it will sooner or later bubble over into crowd trouble, I know if I were stood next to someone who “booed” I’d have to say something. It’s a subject which sadly i don’t think will ever go away, however without campaigns like taking the knee it goes underground.

 

Except taking the knee started before the connection to BLM. Colin Kaepernick seemed to have started it recently but it dates back to mid 60's

 

Nope. They are calling it as it is. Only the racists have an issue

 

If black players think it’s needed so be it

 

I keep reading some absolute crap about taking the knee being wrong because it's linked to a violent marxist movement lmao oh yeah I'm sure that's the real concern of the mouth breathers how about this for an outlook:

if the players want to do it let them do it no one gives [one] about your opinion but they might next time you're performing as a professional athlete so when that time comes you make your own mind up and leave the players to make up theirs

Idiots

 

Agree most of this thread has focussed on black people but the knee is for all forms of racism.

 

It doesn't really happen at VP these days although what constitutes racism has changed over the years.
Although I have to say that I didn't get involved in the chanting myself but when I was in my teens in the Bradford End a quite large group used to chant "zigger zigger zigger we've got a n***** Cecil Podd Joseph Cooke Cecil Podd Joseph Cooke" And Cec and Joe would turn round and wave to the chanting fans. Makes me cringe when I think back.
Also racism within the EU is quite common as well. Yes we have our problems in the UK but scenes in Hungary this week (and in the past), parts of Italy and Spain are quite racist along with parts of the former Eastern Bloc. We need to call it out and deal with it wherever it is.
The problem I have is where we get called racist if we use certain words when they are not being used in a racist way. It's like walking on eggshells.

 

If FIFA or UEFA kicked serial offenders out of competitions instead of fining the local FA twenty grand it might make a difference. England walking off the other night would have been powerful too.

 

What a weird tangent to take the argument down, how do you link taking the knee with Brexit?
I do have a serious question for you though Tony, do you object to fans bringing Union Jack and St George’s flags into the ground?
If not you should, based on your arguments about the taking the knee and it being politicised by certain groups. Both flags have been hijacked over the years by far right groups so I’m sure your view on these must logically be similar to your views on taking the knee.
If you think my analogy is irrelevant then you need to take a long hard look in the mirror.