Racism in sports is an ongoing problem that will unfortunately remain persistent regardless of how many campaigns promoting tolerance you throw at it. We wish it weren’t so, but there’s nothing to suggest racial attacks by dim-witted fans – and even owners – are declining.
What Barcelona’s Dani Alves did over the weekend was about as good a response we’ve seen to banana throwing, a popular (though still very rare) sign of aggression towards black players in the beautiful game. See below:
That’s what we call taking it in stride. Dani Alves could have done one of two things: 1. Get angry, protest on the spot by abandoning the match, and show an emotional response; winner: the bigots. Or 2: Not show a reaction, laugh it off, embrace the gesture; winner: Dani Alves, as well as other black players in the sport and other sports around the world. Surely he was deeply upset about the abuse, but that’s exactly what such small-minded fans are looking to achieve. Play it cool, and all of a sudden they have much less to work with.
Now, we’re not suggesting ignoring racial abuse by laughing it off and turning a blind eye. But doing something about it isn’t the player’s responsibility, and certainly not during the match. Let the sport’s governing body impose sanctions, hand out fines and suspend teams whose fans instigate hate. The rally of support Dani Alves’ collected response has drawn is already making an impact, with players around the world – including Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Brazil’s Marta (above), as well as AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli – mimicking his action to show that these players’ minds are above those of the abusers – the exact opposite of what these lowlifes are hoping to insinuate through their monkey taunts.
Maybe the LA Clippers can learn a thing or two and respond with a similarly strong statement tonight when they host the Warriors at the no-blacks-allowed Staples Centre; certainly something better than their inside-out practice uniforms protest, which was closer to rolling over and being cool with Donald Sterling’s comments than actually taking meaningful action.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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