Black Lives Matter | Time for Radical Action and Change

These protests aren't just fighting for justice for Floyd's killers, but to awaken people to see the systemic and institutional racism which pervades American and yes, Western society.

Watching George Floyd murdered is one of the worst things I've seen. This was a barbaric act. No-one should die unarmed in police custody. No-one should be suffocated to death with a knee to the neck. The officers involved deserve to be charged for murder and imprisoned. Murder. In broad daylight, in front of watching bystanders, caught on film. And it has taken a week of protests, across all 50 states, across the world, for action and justice to happen. The four officers have been arrested. Let's hope they are charged and justice is seen. 

George Floyd’s murder was an act which justifiably has brought the world out to protest for justice, not just for Floyd’s murder, but for the treatment of black and ethnic minorities across the Western world for decades and centuries. This movement, these protests, are of a people, of all ethnicities, who have had enough of the way people in their communities and countries are treated; by police, the law, government and society as a whole. 

These protests aren't just fighting for justice for Floyd's killers, but to awaken people to see the systemic and institutional racism which pervades American and yes, Western society. A society which has for decades and centuries treated black people wrongly, as inferior. The suppression and racism of black people must come to an end. 

The protests show that there are many who believe and support this movement. Yet, as the populist uprising of the Western world these recent years show, and the reaction from Trump to the protests, the world is a long way from coming together and solving this deep rooted issue. 

Which side of history are you on?

Watching George Floyd slowly dying on camera, it’s savage and brutal. And for what? A possible $20 dollar bill which maybe was fake? Is it really any excuse goes? Any opportunity to unleash force through your prejudice, and use your power as a police officer to beat up and maim someone? And to do it all on camera? Imagine what happens when the camera isn't on?!

Floyd’s murder was an example of how police feel they can treat certain people, how they feel they can use undue force, without remorse and importantly without repercussions. The police are far too protected for their actions, of all those killed by police in public or in a cell, no-one has been brought to justice for it. What does this tell you? The police are a protected organisation which allows certain officers, with certain views on race, to take liberties with their actions. This absolutely needs to change. People who commit these crimes need to be held to account. It cannot be allowed. Radical change is needed within police departments, in terms of the culture and the rules on what police can do. It doesn't need to be like this! 

The “I can’t breathe” movement was all the way back in December 2014, the last words of Eric Garner, who died in July 2014 after a confrontation with an New York Police Department officer. That incident was caught on tape. These incidents continue to keep happening, more and more being captured on tape. This is the outrage. 

Police brutality, the use of excessive force, shots fired without hesitation. This is a serious problem! Just watch the videos! And don't tell me "show me the context"! The officers don't need much excuse to target a young black man, to step on their neck, to point a gun at him, to shoot and kill. Imagine being a young black man, living in fear whenever you go out your house. This is the culture which this movement is seeking to change and revolutionise. 

And have the police or Trump listened? Protests centred around the issue of police brutality, and how have the protests being addressed? WIth even more brutality?! Look at the way the protesters are being treated! These people are not terrorists! These are the actions of an authoritarian government seeking to contain and suppress a peoples uprising. This is not what you expect of a Western democracy, but this is where we are now. 

This populist uprising has been built on xenophobia and nationalism, resulting in black and Asian communities living in fear. The proof is in the actions of the police, the actions of the President. I worry we are in the midst of an authoritarian period in our politics. Which means more violence and control from the police, their version of 'law and order', not to protect the people but to protect their government. This is happening on both sides of the Atlantic. The question for you is - which side are history are you on? Is this the world you want to be in?

Listening and understanding what the protests are saying

Those who argue against the protests are seriously missing the point. Take Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints quarterback. He has taken the argument back to players taking a knee during the national anthem and believes that players still should not do it – as it 'disrespects' the flag and military. He still hasn’t got it! He is tone-deaf, his head buried in the sand, or simply clouded by a misguided allegiance to the flag. He still doesn’t see what Colin Kaepernick was protesting about four years ago. He still is blind to the problems. Kaepernick knelt because of the county’s treatment of racial minorities!

This is what he said at the time, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed”

He took a stand for what he believed in. And he was pillared, criticised and black balled by the NFL for his actions. Yet he was right! And his actions and beliefs are being vindicated now. But at the time billionaire owners who supported Donald Trump couldn’t and wouldn’t support him. It was a clear sign of the division between those in power, who have the wealth, and those who are fighting for equality and for their voices to be heard. Kaepernick used his platform to seek to make a change. 

And yet Drew Brees still doesn’t get it?! After all this time? This is a league in which 70% of its players who are black, yet just 9% are coaches (that’s 3) and with just 2 general managers who are black. There are no black owners. The power and division is clear. 

We expect Brees to get it, he lives and works in that world? Yet still seems naive to the issues. So is it a surprise when so many white people don't understand the purpose of these protests? I bet there are still a majority of white people who agree with Brees, and unfortunately Trump. And this is why the protests matter. To educate. But the fear is that the way the media report these protests will determine how much people learn. And there's a feeling that if you're a Trump voter, you will see these protests in the worst way. 

Propaganda to suppress

What did Trump say about taking a knee? “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’” This man has been stoking the flames of racism and pushing his white supremacist nationalistic agenda since he began his run as president. And while racism has a part of American history since the very beginning, Trump has sought, like Brexit and the Vote Leave campaign to divide the nation and build that division on xenophobia and race. One only has to look at the Windrush scandal to see how this Tory government treat black people. People who came to this country to help rebuild a war torn Britain and who settled here. Only to be sent 'back home'. Disgraceful! 

Look at the way the media, television and film have sought to shape peoples views about America and race and their military.  This isn't just a recent phenomena. A propaganda machine which seeks to heighten the role of white Americans, and suppress the role of ethnic groups. Why? To continue to assert their control and power of a race of people. 

So what happens? These protests are reported as riots, that these people are anarchists, thugs and looters. "Bad and dangerous people". "Terrorists". This is the narrative that is pushed and pushed by a powerful machine which seeks to suppress and influence the minds and hearts of a population who have been conditioned to believe that black people are dangerous. Flamed by decades of subtle and not so subtle racism, the role of FOX news and rich billionaires, men in power like Trump. They have fuelled the flames of racism and hate for decades. In order to suppress a whole race of people. 

From the time of slavery, to segregation. They've put people in the projects, denied them opportunities, made life extremely hard. Denied free healthcare. It's resulted in black on black crime, drugs, all out of desperation. Problems created by white men in power to suppress the black man. To deny them the opportunities. And to then turn the narrative against them, to call them thugs, to create the negative stereotype of what a black man is. To be a black man in America, I just can't imagine how difficult it is. This is what people need to understand and appreciate. White privilege is real. 

This is why the protests matter and why people have said, "Enough!". 

Football in Britain

When we look closer to home at our football, then unfortunately I believe there is a serious issue with how black people are treated and regarded in the world of football. I believe that racism is deep rooted in the culture of football. The issues of racism and institutional racism in Britain can be seen within football. The undertones of racism, the way black players are talked about. I’ve seen it and experienced it within the walls of changing rooms and staff rooms. 

As a man who is married to a black woman, with two mixed race children, I have had to speak up and voice my anger and concern at what people say in such a flippant way. It’s as though racist comments and words can be used without even a consideration. This is the dangerous world which continues to pervade football and society. I’ve heard a black staff member from the EFL referred to as a “monkey”. It made me sick. When I called the person out on it they did the classic "Woah, I was only joking!". Yeah right! And this feels constant. In positions of power racism seems more clear and pronounced. 

Just consider this? How many owners of clubs are black? How many black managers across the leagues? Lots of black players, but those in positions of power and influence? Very few unfortunately. 

Take the BAME subsidy which the FA seeks to support more black, Asian and ethnic minority coaches with their coaching badges. This is a great initiative. And yet many white people I speak to argue against it, believing it’s unfair and biased. This is the problem. Many don’t appreciate the difficulties and roadblocks which people of different races face on a daily basis and within an institutional discriminatory culture. Many take their freedom and opportunities for granted, believing it’s the same for everyone. Yet it’s not! And these protests are a way to wake people up, to make them see, of a people who have had enough of the injustice, discrimination and culture which seeks to suppress.  

Unfortunately black footballers have faced racism in the game and from the stands for decades. The Kick It Out campaign continues to provide support and education for people affected by these actions. The stories you hear of what black players had to endure in the past is sickening. And they had to persevere and ‘deal with it’ because it was the world they lived in. 

Look at the way black footballers are regarded by the wider community. Young footballers being judged and stereotyped on the colour of their skin. The way black players are referred to in terms of their physicality first and foremost; strong, big, fast, athletic. Their attributes of skill and intelligence are often neglected or ignored. Black = athlete. This stereotype is then pushed by the media and becomes a part of the psyche of the public. A stereotype which seeks to limit these individuals to just their genetics and physiology and purposefully seeks to make them inferior and less intelligent. And it's not just in sport but in the wider job market. A stereotype generated from a persons ethnicity or name. This is where institutional racism can be seen and felt.  

Football has become, as it perhaps always was, a metaphor for the wider cultural and political landscape. Brexit is this. And Raheem Sterling is the example of what the media seek to do. He has become the face of the negative propaganda machine, the ‘problem’.The attempt to character assassinate this man for the past 6 years has been nothing short of vile and sickening. The constant negative targeting of his actions, of the money he has spent and the ability to twist any story in to a negative has been tragic. 

Sterling has become a target for fans at every ground because they’ve read and being brainwashed through certain media channels; The Sun – the ‘nations most popular paper’ (which makes me sad and appalled, and therefore not surprised by the way some people think.) The Mirror, Daily Star, Express and of course The Daily Mail which seeks to tarnish the reputation of all foreigners, people of colour and Muslims, which pushes out it's right wing propaganda on a daily basis, filling the minds of those who read and believe their rubbish that you must fear people different to you and put your trust in white rich men. And now we know how toxic social media has become for spreading racist propaganda. 

In France the killing of Adama Traore in 2016 shows similarities with the death of George Floyd. It is happening across the Western world. There is an excellent documentary about France and their national football team. From the 1998 World Cup success through to the issues at the 2012 World Cup. An insight into how politics, race and culture mirror sports. When France were successful the Black, arab, white multi-cultural squad was loved, supported and praised. But if it wasn’t doing well, the narrative changed very quickly. Now these black and arab players were foreigners, not French but African, they were a problem. Bad attitudes, dis-respectful etc etc. Negative stereotypes with the subtle racist undertones of colour and religion. When the riots in Paris occurred how were the black communities treated? Unfortunately the issues with race and religion across the Western world occur within society at all levels. In work, daily life and sports. This documentary highlights these issues very well. 

Experiencing prejudice 

If you don’t think this is an issue, or that it happens at all, then I’m afraid you suffer from ignorance or naivety. You only need to look at the division which the Brexit vote has brought to the surface to see a worrying undercurrent of racist, bigoted and xenophobic sentiment across society. 

The concern is that it appears we are moving backwards. The Brexit vote gave an apparent freedom for people's to voice their bigoted in public - as though it gave them licence to 'speak their mind'. And you find out that perhaps society hasn't changed all that much. 

We are talking about changing the mindset of society, a society which at one time appeared to show tolerance and understanding in a multi-cultural world, is now being seen to be less tolerant and more honest about their views on race.

My wife tells me that I'll never truly understand. And she's right. I will never truly know what it feels like. I emphasise, listen and share my concerns about race and how people are treated in your own community, own country. 

I’m a white, Catholic, British male brought up in a stable home, with a loving and supportive family around me. I’ve been very lucky. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be brought up in difficult circumstances. I can’t imagine how it feels to be pre-judged because of my race, stop and searched because of the colour of my skin - 9 times more likely if you're black. I don’t what it’s like to walk into a store and be followed, accused and judged. Or not allowed access because of my skin. 

I was in Dortmund on a football trip and out into the city with a couple of black friends on the night. We (they) weren't allowed in to any bars or clubs anywhere, except a Cuban club. It was blatant discrimination. They just took it and accepted it, knowing that this was a common occurrence and they had learnt to deal with it. While it wasn't a shock to me, I still couldn't believe it, seeing it happening. Being judged by the colour of your skin. Being seen as a problem just because you're black. 

You must know these things happen? You know that not everyone is treated the same, that people are judged because of their race, background, culture or religion. To be deaf and blind to these issues makes me wonder if it’s ignorance or naivety. This is what these protests are about. A desperate need for change. Enough of feeling intimidated by police because of your race, enough of the institutional racism and systemic racism which occurs across the Western world. You know it happens, perhaps you don’t want to admit it to yourself, perhaps you worry that you hold stereotypes and fears based on what you’ve been told and learnt. This is all part of the way the powers that be in the Western world has sought to control and manipulate, to plant fear about people who are ‘different’. 

  

Populist uprising
Since 2016 and the Brexit referendum, we have seen the growth and emergence of the alt-right move into power. This for many has been a frustration and frightening. It has split the nations, centred around race and nationalism. Brexit and Trump, the populist uprising, has only created more fear and more division. It’s a sad state of affairs to see this rise of xenophobia and racism become more prominent in our culture, and Western culture as a whole. 

Those voted for these alt-right governments are of a people who have reached a tipping point where immigration and the perceived threat of cultural change and ‘difference’ has become a serious problem to them. Where they feel left behind. And these campaigners and their media arms have heightened their fears and targeted them through ads online to stoke their fears and concerns. 

Trump's actions in reaction to the protests is to appeal to his voters and seek to create more division to win more votes, this is not leadership. This uprising and their campaigns have sown seeds of discontent, of fear and increased feelings of hate and racism. It’s been a viscous campaign to divide the countries and get into power. 

This uprising has taken the Western world on a wrong and worrying path. We are seeing a political movement akin to that of Germany under Hitler. It is the rise of fasicm once again. With men leading it campaigning on fear and anxieties of it’s electorate. Of promises to make their countries great again and blaming their nations troubles on foreigners. 

America is a very divided country. Trump has increased the divide. His comments and actions throughout his Presidency, his shambolic handling of the pandemic, have confirmed peoples fear of this populist president. Not cut out, qualified or suitable for the office he has. A dangerous man whose actions during these protests only have exasperated the protesters. He shows no understanding or appreciation for their argument. Whether to appease his voters, or to simply embrace his own bigoted and racist views on black people, he has shown that will only increase the divide. Bring on November and get this man out of the most important role in the world. We are all suffering for this man's time in office. 

Time for Radical Action and Change

The past few years has seen a period of isolationism and racist fear emerge at the forefront of society and politics in the West. Along with that comes the propaganda of hate and fear. On the back of these protests I just hope we move the other way. I hope the next few years and decades see a positive change led by the young people leading these protests. People from different race, ethnicity and religions. These protests highlight the multi-cultural element of the desire for change. 

A process is required to come out of this period better. Hard and tough questions need to be asked about race, racism and slavery. How black people have been treated by colonial Europeans who went to Africa and pillared their country, brought these people back to their home countries to be slaves. The era of American slavery, where the connotations of slavery and plantation culture still remain today. So much history which simply hasn’t been addressed properly. Not taught enough in schools to educate people the truth.  

Within these police departments, and now national guard and army, perhaps not everyone is a racist. But there appears to be far too many who are. And they are far too protected! This should not be allowed or condoned. Serious and radical change is needed within police departments. Deep rooted racism will not change overnight, but a change is required. The fact it is, far too many times, highlights the argument those in power wish to take when it comes to saving and protecting lives. Black people are not the priority. It’s clear. And people are right to protest and demand better. 

Voting and elections is where change can happen. The protests allow for discussion and to highlight the issues. Hopefully this isn't just an issue which is moved on from in a few weeks. We have seen that when it comes to seeing the genuine social change which is needed; like in people like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn in recent times, we have seen a strong political machine shut down their left wing ideas and plans. This capitalist world, run by billionaires, big business  don’t want to embrace any kind of socialism. We must have genuine radical change in order to change this. The suppression of black people will continue while the framework of the capitalist world continues in this same way. Change will not happen quickly or smoothly. I fear that even balanced conversation will be difficult. 

What is clear is that people have had enough. Had enough of the racism, the racial profiling, the undue force and brutality. I want my children to grow up in a society which doesn't feel discriminated against because of the colour of their skin and their race. Where they aren't racially profiled or judged. 

A culture change is needed in the Western world, it won't be easy. But it is possible. What is needed are leaders who can bring about positive, progressive change. We need to vote against those who divide and discriminate, and create a fairer and more tolerant society. We must continue to protest and make our voices heard - no matter how much those in power seek to suppress and silence us. 

Matt Whitehouse
The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress

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