AIBU to think my colleague's anti England comment was rude?

[ProudBlackMomma]

What would you make of this? A colleague declared in front of the whole team in the office the other day that she’d never ever support England in any sport due to their history colonialism. Personally I think it’s rude and fails to read the room. Most people had been enjoying cheering on England in the World Cup so to hear this felt a bit like raining on the parade. This woman is African but living in England and reaping all the benefits that come with that. I’m Black too but proud to say I’m English and happy to cheer on the players, who include plenty of black men who I assume also cheer on England!!

This.
No manners.
No professionalism
And she knows she can get away with it.

@ProudBlackMomma your own prejudices are showing. Africa is a continent not a country. As a proud black Momma you should possibly reflect on that generalisation. 9 separate African countries qualified for the final 32 in the World Cup with two making the final 16. They weren't all lumped together but given their own identities. Just like France, Spain, England weren't all lumped together and identified as European.
As a proclaimed black person should you not be aware of and sensitive to such generalisations?

Well done to you on giving the racist brigade yet another reason to vent their anger. They can rant about 'them coming over her and taking our jobs'. Some of the responses are disgusting but you knew that would happen when you posted.

I think most thinking people across the world know about the negative effects of historic colonialism - perpetrated by multiple countries and not just British people.

I just don't see why Jude Bellingham is personally to blame for any of it, just because he happened to be born in England?

Those African teams are up and coming.
And good for them

Probably in the same way as some people pretend to support women but are actually blinded by their misogyny.

No, not true. You know the problem is not that she didn’t support England, it’s the stupid remark to her colleagues, implying that only England had colonies. Are people really so ignorant? Not only was it inaccurate historically but - how rude and hostile to say that to people you work with! Colonial history isn’t their fault. And most of these powers colonising by Britain had strong involvement from the Scots - would she say the same to them?

It’s been well-explained by several pps.

Considering most of the African players play in the Premier league, are they to blame as well?
Mbappe got this didn’t he. Accused of being uneducated and African. Once again FIFA did zilch.

Read the OP - that’s not the point.

I would feel the same as you felt. If she is so against the country history and culture then leave.
yanbu. Political views and football don’t mix well.

Most countries have a chequered past, filled with bloodshed and violence, at least the English have calmed down in recent years unlike a lot of countries in Africa. South Africa, Sudan, Congo, etc where mass murder for minerals and land is still happening today.

When did you last attend an event where the national anthem was sung and they included that verse? Why do you think that it's been 'cancelled'?

Why do you think the Australians no longer call Uluru 'Ayers Rock'? Why do you think the Welsh language is promoted and celebrated in public throughout the country rather than still being banned? Why do you think left-handed children in schools are now given appropriate equipment for them to use in their learning rather than having their left hands tied behind their backs? I'll give you a clue: none of these changes have been made because modern-day people are proud of what their ancestors did.

It's up to her who she supports and why.
Hardly unusual to not support the English team. Especially if you're from a different background.
If that background is from a former colonised country then it's a bit shitty that you mention that "she's in the country with all the benefits that brings" and how that makes it more rude in your opinion.

why is it rude? She's allowed to have an opinion. It's as good a reason as any not to support England.

Because she certainly doesn’t speak for all Black people? your OP didn't mention WHERE she actually said she was?

Last time I looked, there were a few black players in the football England team? I am assuming they are English, them being for England and all, but I have no idea of where their family comes from, any more that I know where the family of a white person comes from.

She's still allowed not to support England. It sounds a bit performative to me, but who cares

If nothing else, you'd think that him being better than everyone else could not be a better move and a fantastic way to say F you at the haters, look at me now!

Why does it matter where our players families are from? They are English? Stop your racist vibes.
Are you not aware of respect?
So you go to work in France and you decide it’s Ok to start dissing the French football team and then mention the wars? Would you seriously do this?
Or would you keep your opinions to yourself, knowing it is likely to seriously upset people.
If you don’t know the answer to this, you are seriously inept and either work from home or not at all.

are you quite ok? what an over-reaction about nothing 😂

Of course it's ok not to support England, this is not North Korea, we are allowed an opinion?

Or would you keep your opinions to yourself, knowing it is likely to seriously upset people
do you take everything personally or just the world cup?😂

If her country still practise slavery would that be OK to tell her, when she spouts off to us?
Would it be OK to mention our football team is seriously better than hers?
In your opinion that would be fine.

By working in England & paying taxes in England she kind of is 'supporting England' even if she cheers another team on the telly.

why is it rude? She's allowed to have an opinion. It's as good a reason as any not to support England.

It's as 'good' a reason as somebody saying that they wouldn't support India in any sport or international competition because of all the international scammers who are based there - actually NOW in the present day and not even in long-gone history.

Double-posted.

oh dear 😂😂😂

and your point is?

They can say what they want, it's a free country? did you miss that?
Or must we get offended on behalf of everyone , instead of people just expression an opinion you might disagree with?

Why all the drama?

As long as we can say what we want too

I dare you to go to Africa and speak out like she did.
i would give you 24 hours before you might eat something you regret.

Cool. So it's ok for someone to refuse to support the English football then.

Africa is not a monolith