Hi all
With the backing of the Football Supporters Association, myself and the DB gang have started a Blades Against Racism campaign.
I have been working on diversity issues with the FSA for over a year now, which has mostly involved supporting the work and campaigns of other clubs. In that time I have been thinking about what I could do - and asking 'does anything need to be done?' - at my own club.
Timing and events have led me to think that something does need to be done. And I've outlined my thoughts on the problems of
racism among Sheffield United fans here. (When I say fans, I am including myself.)
We're taking early steps by spreading the simple message of 'Blades Against Racism'.
You can grab a badge/sticker bundle here - with a 50p postage charge.
But these are only the first steps. Loads of fans have contacted me with ideas and messages of support asking 'What can I do to help?' and the frank answer to that question is: 'to be confirmed'. I am posting here because I know there will be members of the S24SU community who may have missed my postings on Twitter, but will be keen to get on board as BAR progresses.
If you'd like to get involved, especially if you're from a BAME background, then let's talk about it...
... do you think racism is present in stadia?
... do you think racism is present online?
.. what can be done among the grassroots to make racists feel uncomfortable?
... how does the club fulfil its promise of 'something has to change' without alienating some fans?
Full of admiration for you, re this initiative. Very best of luck with it.
There‘s a lot I’d like to say, in response, all of it supportive. But given the current ban on discussing “politics” here, I’m not at all clear what is and isn’t permitted.
So I’ll respond to the question you ask about the presence of racism inside Bramall Lane on matchdays by giving a personal anecdote, rather than by arguing a position.
For the last 9 years in the South Stand, I’ve sat next to a white bloke in his late 60s / early 70s who keeps up an occasional, irregular, but steady enough stream of low-level racist shit, game after game, season after season, whenever the opportunity arises. He’s affable, friendly, funny, intelligent, warm, knows football, knows music, knows politics ... and he’s racist to the fucking bone.
95% of the time it comes out in ways that some posters on here would not necessarily see as problematic. “You what?”, shouted at the announcement of a non-Anglo sounding, black substitute’s name. “’Ere, would you like some [exaggerated tone] ‘dark chocolate?’—oh, we’re not allowed to say that anymore, are we?”. Visiting team with lots of black players—“EFL? It’s not an English Football League, this”, etc.
There’s been two occasions over the years when I‘ve had a proper go at him. Most of the time, though, I’ve learned to counter it with a quiet, “Steady on”, or a “You can’t say that”, and he seems to respect me enough, or be just about self-aware enough, to shut the fuck up.
But the point of the anecdote isn’t my reaction to him. It’s the reaction of the two black kids who used to sit right in front of us, aged 7 or 8 when they first started coming, usually with a black parent or grandparent.
I still see those two lads on the concourse, and at away games. I don’t see them sat in front of us anymore. Their seats, prime seats with a great view, are now taken by older family members (the boys’ mum and her sister, I think) who will occasionally turn around and give the bloke next to me a stare.
Those two lads, now aged 9 or 10, have moved to seats elsewhere in the stand.
