Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I wasn't sure where to go with it.
I have a question.
Firstly I'd better mention that I'm white, but the question I'd like to ask involves a racism claim against me for a post I wrote on a footballing forum, I'd like your opinion on what you think......I wrote:
''I've wanted us to sign more black players for years, in general they are faster, stronger and have unpredictability, but mostly they seem more committed''
What do you think, is it racist?
I didn't think it was, but reading it back I'm starting to doubt myself.
If in any way it is please explain why so I can learn from my mistakes, I'm not racist in any way, the thought that I could have inadvertently made a racist comment mortifies me.
Regards, Andrew.
Menzer
We are constantly described by physique and not intelligence (you may have noticed this with sporting commentators especially in tennis or gymnastics etc), we are only useful for our physique and aggressiveness and quite commonly compared to strong and fast animals, another example of the stereo type is being pushed into sports as a youngster and told the only way for black people to succeed is through sports, also people may have seen this as racist because black people were more appealing to slave masters because of their physique and finally because of the institutionalized racism embedded within the police force black people are more likely seen as a threat for these very same descriptions, hence the overt and unbalanced treament toward black people.
So to go back to you wanting to sign black players because "...in general they are faster, stronger and have unpredictability, but mostly they seem more committed" you have omitted the fact that black players are also intelligent, silky and graceful on the ball (but that is a harder sell).
Like I said that is my personal experience, I am sure others have their own experience, but it is fair to say just look beyond the speed and the strength and you will see so much more from black players and black people in general.
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