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Original poster

Questions for white people: what is the problem with "taking the knee"

999 replies

Flayn · 12/07/2021 17:39

  1. What is the problem with taking the knee
  2. How would you prefer athletes protest racism

I am a regular poster, under a changed name and speak 2nd language English - I know the passive aggressiveness some posters adopt for this topic.

OP posts:
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6
Piggywaspushed · 12/07/2021 20:02

How is MLK doing it not subservient? Did you see the picture second? He was not just a preacher. He was a leader of the Civil Right Movement. He is peaceably evading arrest in the picture; not preaching. It is harder to arrest someone kneeling or lying down. He also did it at Selma as a way of refusing to move.

Northernparent68 · 12/07/2021 20:02

The problem, as I expect you know, is because it’s synonymous with BLM which is a Marxist organisation.

It’s also unnecessary- the kick it out campaign was well supported

KellyanneConway · 12/07/2021 20:04

I'm white and totally support footballers taking the knee.

TatianaBis · 12/07/2021 20:05

I expect our footballers to go on the pitch,kick the ball about and do their jobs for 90 mins thats all

And if they get racially abused on (and off) the pitch?

Are you completely blind and deaf to racism in sport?

StrongLegs · 12/07/2021 20:05

I don't have a problem with it. I slightly wonder if some people think it's a sign of subserviance, and would like them to adopt a symbol that expresses the power of black people rather then their weakness. I think back to the black power symbol, and wonder if that was dropped because it was a little bit like a nazi salute? I wonder if there is some third mode of expression that would make everyone happy.

To be be clearly, I'm all in favour of the BLM movement.

Toooldtobother · 12/07/2021 20:06

Kneel to God only, I have never knelt to a person.
I would happily bow head as I do on Remembrance Sunday and prayer etc.

CoolCatTaco · 12/07/2021 20:06

I'm not insulted by your goady woke remarks. Symbolism & solidarity are important and I think the England Team were outstanding. Some of the fans - some, not all - were disgusting racists. Those who refuse to acknowledge the context of players taking the knee are deliberately minimising the importance of this gesture. And yeah, bit fucking racist & superior.

Lweji · 12/07/2021 20:06

I slightly wonder if some people think it's a sign of subserviance, and would like them to adopt a symbol that expresses the power of black people rather then their weakness.

Because white people are better placed to tell black people how they should protest?

Secondbellini · 12/07/2021 20:06

Yes I saw the picture.

I don’t know what just a preacher is meant to mean. His Christianity is central to his role in the Civil Rights Movement. And Christian ministry is about service and sacrifice. It is a religion with sacrifice through the crucifixion at its centre.

Piggywaspushed · 12/07/2021 20:07

@Lweji

I slightly wonder if some people think it's a sign of subserviance, and would like them to adopt a symbol that expresses the power of black people rather then their weakness.

Because white people are better placed to tell black people how they should protest?

Well said.
MurielSpriggs · 12/07/2021 20:07

@lazylump72

Hi OP In my view I dislike the taking of the knee and indeed any form of protest in the sports arena at all. This is nothing whatsoever to do with colour,faith,religion politics,anything at all except i believe that sports men/women are paid to compete in their chosen field and they should do just that,If they wish to convey their personal views regarding any matter then they are free to express themselves in their own way and in their own time publically or indeed privately, I expect our footballers to go on the pitch,kick the ball about and do their jobs for 90 mins thats all,
i believe that sports men/women are paid to compete in their chosen field and they should do just that,If they wish to convey their personal views regarding any matter then they are free to express themselves in their own way and in their own time publically or indeed privately, I expect our footballers to go on the pitch,kick the ball about and do their jobs for 90 mins thats all

It is absolutely about their ability to play the game and do their job. They are trying to do their job. But they're getting bananas thrown at them, monkey noises and insults from racist arseholes. It's not just some abstract political ideal. It's about their relationship with a significant proportion of the crowd in the stadium.

Piggywaspushed · 12/07/2021 20:08

@Secondbellini

Yes I saw the picture.

I don’t know what just a preacher is meant to mean. His Christianity is central to his role in the Civil Rights Movement. And Christian ministry is about service and sacrifice. It is a religion with sacrifice through the crucifixion at its centre.

But that isn't what he is doing in that picture. he is resisting arrest and , yes, by using prayer to scare off the police. It is a potent symbol of power, therefore. the power of his morality and faith. Not subservience.
Sanguinesuzy · 12/07/2021 20:09

@Secondbellini term 'woke' was weaponised by the right in the same way PC was in the 80s. Actually means alert to social or racial discrimination and injustice despite what knobs like Lawrence Fox and Farage say.

Loki01 · 12/07/2021 20:11

@GetTaeFuck

No issue.

But like a PP said, with our long, long (too fucking long) monarchy history, it’s seen as a subservient pose.

Isnt that the point?
TheMostHappy · 12/07/2021 20:11

This white person says no problem with taking the knee at all.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/07/2021 20:11

@Nuffaluff

Answer from white person:
  1. There is no problem with taking the knee.

Please do not assume that all white people think the same.

I have the same answer.
CharlieBoo · 12/07/2021 20:12

@Becuna Southgate picked the players to take the pens… Grielish wanted to take one but wasn’t chosen…

Loki01 · 12/07/2021 20:12

I am white and have no issue.

Secondbellini · 12/07/2021 20:12

As far as I understand it, prayer is always subservient. It is also powerful.

I don’t really understand the meaning you are putting on it, but it doesn’t seem to have much to do with ministry.

Tigger85 · 12/07/2021 20:13

Taking a knee/kneeling is a submissive gesture, kneeling before God, kneeling before a monarch, getting on your knees to plead for your life or not to be beaten, prisoners of war are made to kneel, people were made to kneel before being executed. I would prefer standing with your head bowed. I understand in sports it has come from America as an act of defiance against racism but it seems an odd gesture to have chosen given its history as an act of submission.

EmeraldShamrock · 12/07/2021 20:13

Fully support it. If anything more awareness of racism needs to be discussed in order to make changes.
Some people are fucking vile disgusting racists and will never change.

newnortherner111 · 12/07/2021 20:14

I have no issue with anyone taking the knee if they choose to do so. What I have an issue with is that there appears no action by government against racism, especially online hate.

aubreyii · 12/07/2021 20:14

Taking the knee aka "kneeling", can be either a submissive action or a mark or respect. I would not kneel to the queen, as I would as a mark of my support and respect for people of colour

Secondbellini · 12/07/2021 20:14

‘@Secondbellini term 'woke' was weaponised by the right in the same way PC was in the 80s. Actually means alert to social or racial discrimination and injustice despite what knobs like Lawrence Fox and Farage say.’

The whole of the left is opposed to social discrimination and (usually) racial discrimination but don’t get referred to as woke. It does refer to people with a specific subset of ideas.

I think I might be derailing from an interesting thread about taking the knee.

wordsareveryunnecessary · 12/07/2021 20:16

Because why? I respect people of all races but don't need to kneel to show it

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