Black Lives Matter

Delphine Cascarino, Lyon, credit: https://www.lyonmag.com/article/85619/ol-fminin-saison-termine-pour-cascarino-aulas-et-l-ol-furieux

Lebron James, Credit: Bleacher Report


Absolutely incredible story has been developing recently in the United States of America due to the NBA. Milwaukee Bucks boycotted the playoff matchup with Orlando Magic. It is the protest due to shooting of Jacob Blake, black man.

Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers player, is furious.

All clubs and players respond well to recent events. We’ve been witnessing racial abuse across the world over last years, but for the first time it has led to the postponement of the NBA playoff game. It has massive impact on media, society, youngsters, perhaps not on policymakers.

Recently, Lewis Hamilton, F1 6-times World Champion has spoken about racism, accusing F1 community of being silent on this particular issue, although it must be said, he never experienced racism in the F1 paddock. Otherwise, he would have spoken about that. He is the World Champion, star since his rookie season in 2007. F1 set up the campaign to raise awareness. They have huge following among youngsters and they can influence on them, they could be role models, although I must say Lewis was a bit too harsh on the F1 community, demanding to join him to be proactive and even more importantly, accusing F1 world for being silent over the years, because he has never been treated with discrimination due to the color - he is the only black driver right now. F1 also included the rainbow in campaign, which discouraged some fans - according to them politics and social issues should not be the part of sport. I like black liveries of the Mercedes cars, I don’t think the rainbow is the best solution to be the part of the F1 campaign “We Race As One”. The equality may be perceived differently by Roman Catholic and atheist: they will make different conclusions, it creates divisions. On the other hand, homophobia is not acceptable like racism, xenophobia or domestic violence. I do support “Black Lives Matter” hashtag and campaign in the F1 and NBA and also in English Premier League.

Racism is particularly harmful to young people and quite embarrassing in the 21^st century but it happens sadly in America and Europe as well, even in Premier League last season at Tottenham stadium in London in clash between Tottenham and Chelsea.

I’ve been following recently Women Champions League match between Lyon and Paris. I think right now maybe it had been better to hold match without fans, who might have been abusive to female black players. They’ve been playing brilliantly. I feel sorry, they have not such as big following as males Champions League.

There is no vaccine for racism however, and we should be proactive and speak about those issues. Otherwise, abuse will be acceptable in society. We just cannot treat somebody else with disrespect, because of color of skin.

Conclusion

Racism is not acceptable. Learning languages enables to meet new people. We need to treat them with respect, regardless of views, skin, gender. Tolerance means we treat others with respect, regardless we meet and speak in foreign language to Roman Catholic or to black atheist. There is no room for violence. Enough is enough.