Boycotting Social Media Will Not Stop Racism in Football

This weekend, the English football league and many athletes will be boycotting social media.

Would such a token gesture place a dent on racism?

I don’t think so.

Social media is a reflection of society.

So, except society as a whole stop tolerating racism, no amount of token gesture will make a difference.

Stop Wasting Time on Social Media

The athletes complaining about being abused on social media might want to consider whether the time they spend on social media is justified.

There is the saying ‘no one can hurt you without your consent’.

Athletes who do not want to be disrespected on social media should simply close their social media accounts and do something useful with their time.

It Comes With The Territory

I can guarantee you, Boris Johnson gets the blame if someone’s cat refuses to eat.

You cannot make quarter of a million a week and expect to be loved by everyone.

Some people are going to adore you, while others will resent you.

Is that right?

Try making minimum wage and see which option you might prefer.

Changing Institutions

When the murder conviction was read against Derek Chauvin who murdered George Floyd, it was evident he was shocked.

He never imagined he was going to be punished for his actions because that was not the way things have been.

But his conviction came about because decent Police officers including his own boss broke the so-called ‘blue wall of silence’ and decided to testify against him.

As difficult as that would have been for them.

In the same token, if the FA and all the institutions joining in the social media boycott are serious about change, they need to take some uncomfortable actions.

Many of those institutions do not have a single black or ethnic minority in senior positions.

They might want to start restructuring their institutions before going after the faceless people on social media.

The gentlemen who abused Ian Wright on social media walked out of court.

No one called the judge up on it even when Ian Wright protested.

In most instances, racism takes place at our dinner table.

It’s only when we make major changes to our institutions and call out our drunken uncle for making racial comments would we be able to fight racism.

It’s easy to go after faceless people on social media.

Change begins at home.

Let’s start at home.