It can be so easy to jump on a bandwagon, particularly when it comes to race relations.
Once the tide of popular opinion gets rolling, why not hop on and enjoy the ride alongside the rest of the onions in the cart?
The outrageous anti-semitism, homophobia and openly Nazi ideals exhibited and highlighted in the Ukraine and Poland have rightly been condemned.
In classic tabloid journalism style, football finds itself in the crosshairs of negative public opinion just as Euro 2012 gets underway.
The pictures and video of young white men abusing opponents and fans with the worst kind of language, visual skullduggery, and in some cases violence, is hard to stomach.
As a fan, I was a skeptic of the whole idea of taking the best, most competitive national football tournament in the world to places like Poland and Ukraine. I immediately doubted my interest in travelling to such venues, as I knew they would be unwelcoming to people of colour.
But as a player in the field of youth and social development, I was forced to put aside my own jaundiced views and look with fresh eyes at this part of the world.
I drew heavily on my experiences of living and working in places such as Algeria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Places where football has come to represent political and ideological differences. Where the colour of a fan’s shirt is often the difference between social acceptance and vilification.
This is never truer than in the case of Euro 2012. When I looked more closely at the football pedigree of Poland and Ukraine, I was forced to admit, it isn’t half bad. And more importantly, the societal challenges politicians are tackling are enormous.
Who among us does not remember the stylish Russian-fuelled Dynamo Kiev teams of old. Those Soviet-backed polished teams were a mystery, all we knew was that they were good enough to compete in and win the European Cup Winners Cup a couple of times. The modern Kyiv, Ukrainian spelling rather than previous Russian translation, is a testament to football perseverance.
In fact, the classic football farce, Escape to Victory – featuring the likes of Sly Stallone, Bobby Moore, Russell Osman and Pele as a Caribbean national (if only) – was inspired by a far less Hollywood version of events during the Second World War.
The idea is taken, very loosely, from the so-called Death Match, in which FC Dynamo Kyiv defeated German soldiers while Ukraine was occupied by German troops in World War II. A true story, where legend has it that the victory cost the Ukrainians there lives.
The truth is far more complex yet equally disturbing. The team played several matches against German teams, emerging victorious in all of them, before finally being sent to concentration camps where most perished.
Who among us would seriously object to a nation with this kind of football pedigree hosting a major international tournament?
And Poland, well on its way to becoming a world football power prior to the Second World War, lost some six million people due to the occupation. Football has never quite been the same since.
A new dawn was hailed as the Polish team won the football competition at the ill-fated 1972 Munich Olympics, and indeed fine performances followed, only to slip back into the pack. A new golden generation beckons for this tournament and beyond.
Yet, it is no surprise that the second- and third-largest Slavic countries after Russia, have a small, nasty and vocally intolerant element in society. The pair share not only a long border and many commonalities but also a tortured and troubled recent past.
Such history must give rise to concern about the very fabric of society. The discrimination and taunts remind me more of the intolerant deep-seated sectarianism once associated with Rangers and Celtic matches than mere bouts of hooliganism.
I actually think UEFA should be applauded for their foresight in going to a region that needs all the help it can get. The competition organisers, local politicians, and football officials rightly saw the tournament as a chance to showcase new-found democratic principles of proudly independent countries.
The images of racism that have already tarnished the tournament are indeed startling, but it would have been far worse for UEFA to have ignored the wider role it can play. So often the organisation is taken to task for not living up to its responsibilities. While we may not like some of the scenes we have seen, there is little doubt domestic Polish and Ukrainian forces are now more determined than ever to tackle a deep-seated societal challenge.
And if you don’t think UEFA understands such challenges, you are wrong. UEFA’s current corporate social responsibilities team includes people who worked directly in the Balkans following the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Strong supporters of the anti-discrimination movement, that team also includes people who spent time in the mission to Rwanda after the atrocities there.
The intolerance within the Eastern Bloc region must be tackled, and I believe this tournament will be a powerful driver in helping do that. That is why, for me, one of the lasting triumphs of these games will be the growing determination to rid the society of internationally unacceptable practices.
Helped by organisations such as FARE, which will provide discrimination monitors at all games, this tournament promises to be a development success.
The exposure to an international audience has been, and will continue to be, a critical factor. Internally, most people have been shocked and embarrassed at the racist image Poland and Ukraine have been branded with. It has started a compelling and complex debate about social intolerance that was not on the agenda prior to the tournament. Stung by the criticism, authorities have pledged renewed efforts to tackle these issues.
My own experience suggests this international dimension is critical. Having spent so much money, it would be devastating to the nations and region for the rest of the world to be left with the impression that intolerance is acceptable in their society.
Thirty years ago, we in the UK faced consistent criticism due to similarly shocking images. Let us not forget the rampant racism and hooliganism in the UK of the 1970s and 1980s. Having been visited by West Ham’s Inter City Firm personally, and seen first-hand the carnage of Manchester United’s Red Army, Tottenham’s Yid Army, and Millwall’s Green Street Firm, I can attest to the violence, bigotry and hatred once acceptable and widely tolerated in the UK.
It was the vicious lens of international coverage and domestic introspection after some horrific scenes and disaster coverage that forced a societal change and political action.
Just as with Escape to Victory, it is hard not to be puzzled by the fact that many of these overtly racist and homophobic hooligan firms have now been immortalized in a series of documentaries and movies that have glamorised the life of the ignorant British hooligan.
Having been on the end of more than one boot in the name of football, I can tell you, that was just as abhorrent as some of the scenes we are now being shown in Poland and the Ukraine.
Delroy Alexander is the Chairman of the Sacred Sports Foundation, a not for profit charity based in the St. Lucia. He is a seasoned sports administrator and is a former Chicago Tribune senior investigative business reporter and a Pulitzer Prize nominee journalist.
Czarny kapturek
Guest
I went to Poland and can see for myself. I have lived here in Wrocław for four years. I used to have a client who had black skin. He left Wrocław and Poland as he was continually harassed by people here, in Wrocław, the so-called "multicultural city", even in the centre of town. Now, there are of course more examples of racism in the countries mentioned by the person above, due purely to the fact that there are more people with different coloured skin in those countries. It is however laughable to suggest that "we (Poles) welcome them with open arms". Ask any Polish Roma if racism is no problem here. Ask any Chechnyan about how they were treated by locals. The Nigdy Więcej association complied a list of racist/anti-semitic/homophobic incidents to do with football fans last year. It showed indeed a shocking list. Here the WKS fans have links to NOP and ONR (two fascist organisations) fans and attacked an anti-racist demo last year. Indeed, just last week NOP members attacked the synagogue here in Poland. The comment above demonstrates a key problem here in Poland. Too many people get defensive when any criticism comes their way (sometimes, like in the comment above, about matters referring to Jewish Poles. Roman Catholic Poles did kill Jews in places like Jedwabne and Kielce. This is of course within the context not just of anti-semitism, but also influences by Nazis and communist authorities. Know however, that there were Roman Dmowski supporters pre-war in Poland). They talk about the usual enemy-figures, Russia and Germany, thus not looking at the history of racism in Poland. Last year in Wrocław 1,200 people attended a "March of patriots", organised by the aforementioned racist organisations. There were only 200 of us who demonstarted against them. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty tolerant people in Poland, and I know many Polish people who are active against racism, homophobia and anti-semitism; plenty who, unlike with the comment above are prepared to be critical of things in Poland and not be defensive.
Wroclawianin
Guest
From the very beginning of Euro 2012 English media tries to prove that Poland is very dangerous, intolerant, xenophobic country. Polish culture has extremely changed after transformation in 1989. All nations are very welcomed, well hosted and treated normally. Incidentally happens that some idiots are looking for a fight, and tries to find a reason to pick up the fight, but it isn’t racism – it’s boredom and lack of successes in private and professional life. Polish citizens are attacked with the same frequency as foreign people. The fight with Russians was started by Russians in Wrocław City, after one Russian guy thrown a flare onto the pitch; steward called the security therefore was bitten, with few other friends which tried to help him (all of them landed in a hospital). After this event riots started in Warsaw. History and communities changes but some individuals still stays behind, I dare say – on purpose. Poland has never had strong position in world’s politics, economy, and so on, that is why journalists so easily writes bull...its about us, want to cover their crimes – colonialism, Irish, Scottish, Welsh history, slavery in US etc. How on earth after so many discussions President of USA use sentences like – Polish concentration camps – total ignorance, and clear signal to others – not German but Polish people murdered Jews. I can bet that nobody from young Americans understood that differently. German or nazi concentration camps would sound a bit harsh for Germany – “best US ally”. Nobody cares about Polish reactions. Don’t listen to your media, come to Poland and see for yourself. There is more signs of racism in UK, US, France, Germany and of course Russia then in Poland. You can feel safe here like Polish citizens, no matter if you’re black, yellow, pink, green, short or tall. We have representations of all these colours in our parliament (MP’s chosen by Poles e.g. – John Godson). We value well educated, wise, thoughtful people who learn our difficult language and loves our country, we welcome them with open arms – regardless of their skin, religion and other attributes. I live in Wroclaw, and everyday see people from many countries laughing, drinking, swapping scarves, spending time together, prizing Poland for hospitality, architecture, food, and beautiful ladies. From inside it looks completely different, and it tears me apart when I read foreign newspapers focusing on small incidents which would have occurred anywhere else.
MFC
Guest
"Millwall’s Green Street Firm" - Obviously done you homework mate............. by watching a few films lol Green street is just outside Millwall's arch rivals West Ham Upton Park ground for those who don't know. Other than that a valid article.Kick Out Racism. Adios.
Ripper Eater
Guest
Seriously disturbing behaviour in those stands for domestic matches as shown on Foreign Correspondent last night.
Johnno
Guest
When one thinks about this and has been said in this article these sort of issues are complex debates, and often lost and misunderstood by sensationalist media tabloids looking for a quick sotry which shocking healdines and confronting pictures. -Some facts about intolerance or racism, or homophobia and the key word for me is segregation: -What is the true definition of racism or ethnic dsicimination. (is it envy of another race, is it contempt, is it disgust, is it discrimination) -other question is why can't one discriminate against another people based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientations, sporting interest, socio economic status, nation of birth, age . artistic or music interests, coz don't we do that already.. -Look at it logically. -Time and time again government statistics university research and statistics, prove all sorts of interesting facts about sociology and socities, and human nature in general. -your friends , husband/wife, work collegues are usually a similar reflection of yourself -People mostly marry in the same age group -people mostly marry along ethnic, cultural, skin color, same or similar work industry (eg doctors-nurses, pilots-airhostesess, police-prison wardens, beautiful people marry other beautiful people architect-engineer, catholics marry catholics, jewish marry jewish, muslim marry muslim, hindu marry hindu, School princibal-school teacher, actors/directors-marry actresses, eg Brad Pitt-angelina jolie both actors. Angelina Jolie is not marrying a painter or a plumber on average middle class wage, who is average looking , she is marrying a man who is very rich and also seen by society as very handsome just as she is beautiful and is very rich too. -So maybe your friends and associates are a reflection of yourself and often more similar than opposite to you -people mostly marry in same socio economic status eg rich marry rich, middle class marry middle class, poor marry poor -drug addicts marry drug addicts. Or wine drinkers marry wine drinkers, or smokers marry other smokers, or vegetarians marry other vegetarians. -And also sports interests just look at the roar how many different sports interests there are, and the polar opposites of passion. For example i love rugby union, more than cycling or water polo or volleyball, is that segregation or discrimination. -So my point is does rascim, homophobia, intolerance about multiple things exist i just said common ones that pop up. But isn't if one looks at closely and statitisics by government departments and public servants, and university professors, or arts students doing research, aren't these statistics at all relevant in showing that humans by nature , are segregated, intolerant, and discimanotry, and execute discrimination in there daily life whether they realise it or not. -And these issues in Euro 2012 rant they issues that are happening everywhere not just in these 2 countries, and the points in my comment made about trying to show examples of defining this discrimination that may exist in all of us as judge by statistics. -Otherwise we would all be married to our total opposite, or all our mates would hate everything who we are or like using the term opposites attract theory. Do opposites really attract some university studies say they do, but on the balance i think humans seem to prefer similarities with there husbands or wives, or mates, or work collegues if governments department statistics, or university studies are accruate rather than misleading.