Considering the events of recent weeks and the continuing inability of many around the globe to see past their own prejudice and discrimination, each and every athlete at the Tokyo Olympics should be taking a knee in the moments before they compete.
I can hear those infuriated by such a view whinging and whining as I type these words.
“All lives matter” they will say, “it’s a political movement” they will chant in narrow-minded unison.
In reality, the defiance of many sports fans around the world and their refusal to take a unified and collective stance against bigotry, division and racism, continues to do little more than elongate the journey towards a place of acceptance and equality.
Those against seeing athletes make a clear and definitive metaphorical statement that demands we do more to eliminate hatred and Neanderthal views in both our social and cultural spaces, may find the gesture tokenistic and merely symbolic.
In a forlorn reality, they may have a point, especially considering the seemingly limited effectiveness the actions of many sportspeople across the globe appear to have had over the last 12 months.
However, the sceptics of taking a knee seem to offer little as an alternative and despite an inherent myth that such appalling views will evaporate naturally as humanity evolves, matures and becomes necessarily more global, there is little or no evidence to validate such an argument.
In essence, if we do nothing to combat discrimination, racism and intolerance, there is destined to be no change in the actions of those who live in a world of unintelligent and nurtured hatred.
Such has been evident over the last fortnight, with English football fans lowering themselves to a point of no return in their treatment of a trio of young black footballers who wear the badge of the Three Lions with honour and pride.
Bukayo Saka of England is consoled by teammate Harry Kane (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
What transpired after the Euro 2020 final, both at the stadium and online, represented all that is bad about England, its football supporters and the deeply ingrained notions of white supremacy that obviously still permeate through a significant portion of English society.
After an English Premier League season where players took a knee and a quiet moment of hope and prayer prior to kick-off in each match, it only took a heartbreaking loss to Italy at Wembley for any lasting impact of such gestures to be obliterated and minority communities to be reminded once again of just how far down the pecking order they sit according to a significant portion of fans.
Over many years we have seen and heard of the horrendous abuse thrown towards black players in many European football leagues, as well as seen the United States disgrace itself as more and more black athletes shed light on their experiences.
And Australia bears no right to deny its own flaws, with rugby league and Australian rules players opening up on theirs.
The weekend just passed saw seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton experience similar vitriol after diving down the inside of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
At one of the fastest corners on the F1 circuit, Hamilton had no business pursuing his pass attempt when the Dutchman lurched well ahead at the apex. Sadly, he did, despite Verstappen’s efforts to steer his car left to avoid the collision.
Hamilton rightfully copped a ten-second penalty, yet that was infinitesimal compared to the abuse he received in the hours that followed.
Racial insults, offensive emojis and venomous language flowed, much of which was eventually removed from social media platforms, all while the bigger story was Verstappen’s subsequent trip to hospital after an alarming high-speed crash.
Hamilton has been a stoic advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement, recently initiating a report to investigate the lack of diversity in his sport and potential ways to change its face in the coming years.
It appears no matter how successful he, nor other brilliantly skilled black athletes around the globe may be, in the moments when execution fails them, the cowardice of racism rears its head with such a nasty force that the rest of us melt in shame and embarrassment.
(Photo by Mario Renzi – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Sadly, in spite of all the effort and advocacy, the two most recent examples of vicious racism in world sport suggest there is little hope.
However, as a singular human race there must be.
In Tokyo, after 18 months of pandemic fear, a period that potentially provides the vehicle for an historical coming together and the opportunity for change on a global scale, every athlete must take a knee.
They should do it for their opponents, their teammates and their fiercest of rivals. They should it for young English footballers and a Formula One driver destined to become a legend of the sport.
But most of all, they should do it for themselves.
The only path to change is through individual accountability and a realisation that depending on where we were born and to whom, the colour of our skin and/or the shape of our eyes, each and every one of our lives could be very different.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Maybe because he was involved in a silent and honorable protest unlike what is being forced down our throats today. "You will comply" I remember watching it as a kid, I felt very proud of what he did as did all my family and friends.
sb
Guest
Curious how this topic has become so huge I met Peter Norman several times many years ago socially with a beer in our hands ( we had a mutual friend ) and chatted a fair bit about his athletic career ( which greatly interested me ). The subject of the black power salute was only very briefly spoken of . Now it has become a topic of mythical proportions
Pieman
Guest
Hey Stuart, I don't hate you for having an opinion, I just hate the opinion you hold. But, since you say you're open to opinions, here's mine on the BLM movement. As has already been revealed (via its own mission statement) since it became mainstream, BLM is a Marxist group vowed to destroying Western values, such as the nuclear family model, as well as defunding police (which funnily enough, would make the lives of those they claim to represent much, much worse). This simple stupidity/hypocrisy of this organisation means that anyone who disagrees with these views has a very valid reason not to take a "knee" and others should respect those sporting participants who choose not to. Those who wax on evangelically about "you should/have to knee or you're a (insert label here) " should, rightly so, be ignored. To take your argument to the extreme, look at the case of Lauren Victor in America (just google her name for the videos). Funnily enough, she was a BLM supporter, but was harassed/abused by BLM protesters while she was dinning out, all because she wouldn't raise her fist in support with them. The zealotry of the protestors reminds me of articles such as this and, like those protester, only damage any good BLM might be doing.
Objective
Guest
Notice you didn't address my main point which points out the hypocrisy of "arguments" like yours. I use the term "argument" very loosely, as you can only back your view up with labels, slurs and insults. Noone condones racism except idiots. And they are the extreme minority, but present in EVERY society.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
100% agree and that is what I am encouraging every athlete at the games to do.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'Must' is emphasising a personal belief, not suggesting a mandated rule which would be unworkable and clumsy. Nice try.
Objective
Guest
"the sporting buffoonery on display everywhere we turn". What exactly is that ?
Objective
Guest
"Not suggesting some sort of requirement to do so". Oh really? You may wish to check your 4th last paragraph: "every athlete must take a knee". Are you also calling out the attacks on farmers in South Africa ? What about the coloured P&C president in Washington DC who, in reference to her political opponents shreiked "let them die" ? You either call out ALL racism, or any credibility you think you have is flushed down the toilet.
matth
Roar Guru
I'm not disagreeing it would be a statement, I just believe a choice freely made is more powerful and than a 'choice' made via obligation.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Peter Norman stood on the podium with the 2 African Americans who gave the black power salute at the ’68 Olympics. He did so with prior knowledge after being advised of their intended action. His action undoubtedly cost him his career .
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Article actually asked whether she is or not. In terms of what she has achieved in her context, she probably is. Have a cracking day!
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
I support anyone that takes a knee yet the world is a massive place. 195 countries will be attending the Olympics not all agree with BLM, and any other protest movement that address their issues. Taking the knee has become a first world cause without understanding the cultures and ramifications of such actions in other countries around the world. There are athletes from many different countries that have seen issues and faced problems that might seem problems faced by black athletes in rich countries seem rather small, particularly Athletes from African countries (not trying to belittle the problems faced by Blacks in the USA or UK) The knee is not a thing in the Latin American countries, they have huge problems and the current racism and exploitation from the US and Europe and to lesser extent Australia have conveniently ignored. They are really suffering and I don’t see a protest movement for Latin America is not the flavour for the social media or influencers. As much as I like your article and the premise this will not work for the developing world and many of the countries. the protest has to come from within and not forced upon.
Steven Harris
If you comment on a reply at least read it first
Steven Harris
Where does it say best side..and 10th May you said Sam Kerr best player Australia has produced.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
Whose Peter Norman?
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
You have an eastern states bias. Just like the bushfires of early 2020, that supposably affected all Australians when in fact only a small part of Australia was burnt and a smaller population. WA,SA,NT Tas and Qld was not affected at all. Most of NSW, and a high percentage of Victoria not in the spotlight. At the time of writing/typing most of Australia is not "locked in their homes". Take of the blinkers and stop listening, watching the left wing media to which most journalists belong to
Renato CARINI
Roar Rookie
Yes, correct.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Honoring Peter Norman with a statue outside the Gabba when we host the '32 Olympics would be a positive start. No one can convince me that everything today is counter productive and encouraging reverse racism.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Please quote where I stated this is the best Matildas side of all time. Certainly the most talented individuals we have seen, yet far from showing it on the pitch on a consistent basis. You obviously know very little about the talent in this Kiwi side. Most playing abroad and ready to lift tonight.
Steven Harris
Never said gold medal Stuart but you should be confident tonight against a kiwi side when you claim Australia is playing with the current best Australian player of all time as you have claimed in a previous article.As who is your mate is I don't know as you said in same article you cancelled him.