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AIBU?

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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:
Thread gallery
6
GrimDamnFanjo · 12/07/2021 18:23

@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.

This.
Aloethere · 12/07/2021 18:23
  1. I don't have one.
  2. They can do it however they like.
Orf1abc · 12/07/2021 18:23

@Bollindger How did taking the knee cause a statue to be vandalised?

For me it has started conversations, and through talking and letting people know its origins and the reasons behind it. If each of us can help even one racist change their ways, that's a massive effect overall.

FightingtheFoo · 12/07/2021 18:24

English is my second language. My parents are immigrants.

I don't have a problem with it per se but I do think it's hypocritical - they don't take the knee or ever make any gesture of solidarity for Jews even though anti-Jewish racism and attacks are at the highest levels in decades.

They don't take a knee or make any kind of gesture about victims of domestic abuse, even though there's a direct link to football.

If you're going to make a gesture for one cause why not others?

user1471505494 · 12/07/2021 18:24

I absolutely agree that much must be done to address racism. I do however have a problem with taking the knee as I feel it isn’t going to persuade anyone to change the way they view racism and to bully people who choose not to do it is appalling

Secondbellini · 12/07/2021 18:24

I do think linking arms would be viewed more positively, and think some teams do that.

But the issue is maybe that people feel lectured to, especially as so many corporations seem to attach themselves to these messages as marketing.

worktrip · 12/07/2021 18:24

I didn't like the taking the knee thing because it has been high jacked by a particularly divisive organisation. The murder of an innocent black man needs expression though

I do like and support it if it is an expression of racial inclusion and solidarity.

So I guess it depends on what the intended message is.

Theunamedcat · 12/07/2021 18:25

@Crepescular

It's virtue-signalling of the highest order and changes nothing. It makes the participant feel like they're 'doing something about racism' when in fact they're doing fuck all, except pat themselves on the back.
I think this in a nutshell is a very good point taking the knee literally does nothing/proves nothing you can still be a racist on your knee
Original poster
Flayn · 12/07/2021 18:25

@GenderApostatemk2:
what were your thoughts on BLM?
what do you think about racism in the UK?

OP posts:
godmum56 · 12/07/2021 18:25

white but old with two duff knees here. I won't take the knee because like the dowager in Downton, I would need SERIOUS assistance to get up again and it would not be a pretty sight. I have zero problem with anybody marking their distain for racism in any peaceful way they think fit provided they also take practical action as well.

CoolCatTaco · 12/07/2021 18:25

White, Irish, fully support it. Symbolism is important as is raising awareness.
The arguments against are pretty shallow and all seem to boil down to the idea that they're too good for it, won't bow to anyone etc...which sounds like superiority to me. Bedfellow of racism.

ScottishNewbie · 12/07/2021 18:25

I have no problem with it. I wouldn't do it. But that's my personal choice. Nothing to do with racism, I just don't get on my knees for anybody.
I make a stand in my own way, as do many I know.

Daisychaincarrot · 12/07/2021 18:26

What I DO have a problem with is being tarnished with the same brush as ‘all white people’.

TenShortStories · 12/07/2021 18:26

Some people I know (some white, some not) feel they couldn't kneel before anyone but God. It would absolutely not be a racist statement to not kneel, it's more that participating in the symbolism that is kneeling before something else would not feel compatible with their belief system.

WorraLiberty · 12/07/2021 18:27

@godmum56

white but old with two duff knees here. I won't take the knee because like the dowager in Downton, I would need SERIOUS assistance to get up again and it would not be a pretty sight. I have zero problem with anybody marking their distain for racism in any peaceful way they think fit provided they also take practical action as well.
I won't take the knee because like the dowager in Downton, I would need SERIOUS assistance to get up again and it would not be a pretty sight.

Where/when have you been asked to?

OomphRidden · 12/07/2021 18:27

White, female, 58. I took the knee at a BLM rally last year for the length of time it took poor George Floyd to die. I will never forget how hard it was physically just to kneel on one knee with my arm raised for that long, and how visceral it was emotionally. Racism hurts people every day, every second and we must remember that.

The racism displayed by some England fans make me so ashamed to be English. I'll never support England again. We don't deserve such a fabulous team of young people working their guts out to bring us joy.

Blondiney · 12/07/2021 18:27

Performative bollocks.

Original poster
Flayn · 12/07/2021 18:27

@Crepescular
What do you think it would take to end racism?
Do you think there is a will in society to change racism?

OP posts:
Mrs08 · 12/07/2021 18:27

@Confusedandshaken

I'm a middle aged white lady. I've attended BLM demos and taken the knee. I admire the footballers for doing it.
Me too
me4real · 12/07/2021 18:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/07/2021 18:28

I'm white and have absolutely no problem with it, in fact I positively support it.

Apart from the subserviance point which I think is misdirected but interesting, most of the excuses I've heard people use to explain why they dislike it boil down to the usual responses of white people who don't like having a spotlight shone on racism in society.

I got into an argument with a colleague who I think is racist but in denial about it last week who said it was "attention seeking". Well, surely the point of any public gesture is to draw attention to something so that is a) a given and b) not a reason to dislike something.

I have yet to hear an argument against taking the knee (apart from the subserviance point) which I didn't think boiled down to latent racism.

Original poster
Flayn · 12/07/2021 18:29

@Blondiney - Apartheid and Civil right movement was dismissed as performative in some sections of society. What do you think would not be performative?

OP posts:
Lweji · 12/07/2021 18:29

If instead of taking a knee £1 had been paid into a fund, to help people we would have something useful to show from a protest.

Help, how?

And why can't we do both?

Buttons294749 · 12/07/2021 18:29

Its a great idea for the footballers to do it if they want. Or they could hold a sign with some personalised thoughts or any other way they chose to express themselves but I think it's good to do something. I would be a sign holder as I have lots to say on the matter Smile

FightingtheFoo · 12/07/2021 18:29

[quote Flayn]@Crepescular
What do you think it would take to end racism?
Do you think there is a will in society to change racism?[/quote]
What do you think it would take to ens theft and murder?