Interesting article, if we want to get rid of racism in football we have to abandon nationalism. Some good points made - https://www.independent.co.uk/voice...ism-turkey-syria-war-meat-vegan-a9158656.html
There's nothing new in this idea. I've long thought that this is perhaps the reason why I have little interest in international games. I'll watch them, because I like football, but I can't get excited over whether or not our home nations do well. I understand that not all national pride is jingoism, but it is easy for one to develop into the other, which is why we have National Front type organisations. I was brought up in an era when racism didn't carry the widespread opprobrium it does today, but I never bought into that prejudice. I don't know why, I just never did. So why do I have unflinching support for one club team? Well, competitive sport isn't very involving if you don't ally yourself to someone, so it's natural to pick a side and feel part of their ups and downs. In my formative years there was little or no TV coverage, so the only way to follow a team was to go to their games, therefore a local one was the obvious choice. I had two candidates - turned out I made the right choice. I would never seriously use the word hate in regard to other teams and their supporters simply because of their affiliation, because to me we're all the same. Good and bad, just like people the world over. Rivalry is good, but when it spills over into hatred it's gone too far.
I agree. Probably from the dawn of time one tribe felt superior to the other. Unless and until the tribes meet and realise they have far more similarities than differences, there will always be a them and us mentality. The advent of social media hasn't helped. It could have done but there are too many prepared to hide behind a screen and verbally abuse from a position of anonymity. Football used to be an escape from the humdrum for the working class man. It's a whole different animal now.
The world is going backwards though, nationalist views are on the rise. Racism will only get worse going forward imo
I think it feels like its on the rise because its called out and condemned. I imagine John Barnes would say the players in this era have it much easier than he did.