[Abernathy]

I’m kind of confused. The England women’s football side, who had in every match so far adopted the demonstrative anti-racism gesture of “taking the knee” - going down on one knee in an explicit signal of the rejection of racism - something I understand to have its origins in the response of sportsmen in the USA to the racist police-brutality motivated murder of George Floyd, have now decided to stop deploying the gesture at the start of every match in response to the revelation that some black players in the “Lionesses” side have suffered serious racist abuse via social media.

Does this make any sense? Surely continuing to take the knee would be a far more logical response ?

The noted racist Nigel Farage has lost no time in welcoming the decision, saying that he is pleased to see the end of what he calls an absurd gesture.

Really do not get this. Makes no sense at all.

[Andy McDandy]

The gesture, when it was begun by Colin Kaepernick, was chosen because it a) couldn't be misinterpreted, b) was not violent or threatening, and c) did not cut into the game time or delay anything. If anyone complained, he could say "What part of a black man making a respectful gesture during the singing of the national anthem do you have a problem with?".

His protest was also about racism within American football and in wider American society. Reactions to him, and the last few years in America, have basically shown him to have been on the fucking money.

With the caveat that I'm a British-born white man, I think the problem people had in the UK (aside from their inherent bigotry) was that it seemed performative. We don't sing the anthem before every game, just internationals. Taking a few moments to kneel, then stand up, seems to me to be more a performative gesture than a heartfelt plea.

That said, I agree. They should have doubled down. And generally, if Fargle thinks something's a good idea, I'd say do the opposite.

[Killer Whale]

The black players seem to have decided that it's more trouble than it's worth, what with it making them even more of a target for assorted cunts and fuckwits. Which they are entitled to do, but it does look from the outside like a victory for the forces of evil, doesn't it?

[Oboogie]

@Abernathy If you're near a radio stick LBC on, James O'Brien is just about to discuss this topic now. Maybe someone will say something which answers your question?