I’m finding myself increasingly involved in arguments on social media platforms.
It’s something I try to avoid.
But I get genuinely irritated by comments written by ballbag-brained idiots who hide behind their little screens, attempting to make their lives a little more interesting than they are, spouting comments designed to garner attention.
Why do I get pissed off?
Well, despite the anonymity of it all and the ignorant crap they spurt, some of it is unacceptable and promotes negative reputation for groups of people, who usually targets of hate speech.
Whether it be bigots and their comments about women, so-called football fans aiming racist comments at their own players, or those intent on creating political instability, it ain’t right.
Of course I am a proponent of “free speech”, I mean look at some of the stuff I write!
But the literal definition doesn’t mean that everyone has the right to say/ publish whatever they goddamn think.
As I get closer to becoming a parent of a professional sportsman, I look at some of the black players in England (Chelsea stars Tammy Abrahams and Kurt Zouma most recently) and wonder what they and their parents must be going through.
TARGETED MAN: Blues' Kurt Zouma. Photo: Paul Childs/Reuters.
Yes, both players have come out with “water off a duck’s back” pragmatism, but if my kid missed a vital kick and was subjected to the vile filth those boys have received, how would I feel AND what about other players’ parents and family?
How would I take it?
Watching my kid getting abused when he’s feeling terrible anyway?
It’s all changed, it ain’t the “banter” of the past that played out on match-day, songs and chants.
OK, those too are cruel at times, but usually ‘understandable’ given the rivalry on the terraces.
At present, these are concerted abusive campaigns directed at individuals, which in turn produce coverage in the press, making it all unavoidable.
I’ve said it before, there isn’t a “true” Chelsea fan who’d racially abuse any Chelsea player, especially if the kid has come up from the youth ranks.
Most of the recent comments have come from “fans” abroad.
I f*****g hate social media sometimes.
I’m kind of forced into being active as a D-Grade public figure.
Then I look around at some people like journalist Yusuf Abramjee on Twitter, putting bright red lipstick on men in support of women marching against rape.
WTF? Why?
Is this what we’ve come to?
Gimmicky bullshit and hashtags to save the world?
Support? Reaffirming the sexist stereotype that make-up equals woman?
I’d suggest Abramjee was more interested in self-promotion than attempting to highlight the dire situation we are facing in South Africa.
And all these t-shirts and one-liners and “wear black”-type protests?
Where have they been for the decades when the same issues existed?
It hasn’t suddenly got bad?
INTERNET ACTIVISM: Yusuf Abramjee. Photo: Supplied.
Will they fade away into some cyber bin in a couple of weeks until the next political fad hits the mini-screen?
Ok, back to football and a weekend with some interesting fixtures for the “Top Six”.
Liverpool should despatch Newcastle at Anfield, Man Utd host Leicester in a tricky one in which I’m expecting the Foxes to come away with something, Frank Lampard has another big test as Chelsea go to Wolves and Norwich have Man City at Carrow Rd.
For me, the Canaries are one of the better footballing sides in the league, play a very similar brand to City, but surely Pep Guardiola’s blockbuster side will be too much to contain?
On Sunday, Arsenal go to Watford who just can’t get it going.
Don’t be surprised if this is the day their season changes!
Comments:
- @thehonestnick (Twitter)
- Nick Feinberg (Facebook)
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