08 Dec 2020 07:54:16
So peg leg or anyone as your are against any sort of politics in football I assume your also passionately against the wearing of the poppy - yes?

1.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 08:59:35
Not at alll, that’s everyday life. Why would I be?

{Ed001's Note - because it is extremely politically charged. Perhaps if people took as long to look into things like this as they did BLM, it might change their viewpoint.}

2.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 09:16:22
Ed01, I’m sorry I have a different view to you but I honestly can’t get behind BLM. Let me start by saying, there’s no place for racism at all, however I think this BLM movement is causing I bigger problem by making a bigger divide. IMO it’s causing more people to have racist views. I’m sorry to say but all lives matter. This whole thing has come about by the unfortunate killing by the police in America. There’s not that sort of police brutality in the uk. You could go on to say that black people are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police but in the same breath knife crime is far higher in the black community and if that means someone’s child comes home safely I’m all for it.
As for wearing the poppy I wear it for people who fought and lost their lives for our freedom, those that would be ashamed to see what they lost their lives for if they saw what this country has turned into, where people have their feelings hurt over minor things, where you’re labelled a racist if you don’t have lefty views and where you’re forced to except things.
There’s plenty of things I don’t agree with but that’s my choice and I’m not saying I’m right but I’m entitled to my views and I’m also open to listening to other peoples view and if they have a valid point I can take that on.

{Ed001's Note - you have no idea what you are talking about with BLM, and that is not what taking the knee in football is about anyway. The rest of your paragraph is utterly irrelevant from this, but they do border on bigotry. Knife crime is far higher in poor communities, which is sadly where black people tend to end up due to endemic racism. It is not about the colour of their skin, the fact you equate the two is extremely worrying.

They would be ashamed? They would be ashamed to see the poppy turned into a political device to remove freedom from people. This whole paragraph is pure ignorance and you sound like the Daily Fail trying to stir up racism ffs!

You are entitled to your views, just as we are entitled to dismiss them as those of an ignorant closet racist trying to pretend otherwise if we choose. If you truly believe that there's no place for racism at all, you need to start by looking in the mirror.}

3.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 09:51:34
The all lives matter argument is daft imo, all cancers matter but we still have breast awareness or prostate awareness, its just we highlight a certain point to highlight what is going on not negating that everyone else doesn't matter.

4.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:00:53
Pegleg, you're talking rubbish mate. Blaxks get continually harassed for simply being black.

5.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:21:43
What a great way to explain it WYred 👍.

6.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:24:20
Ed01 if you’re happy to think I’m a closet racist I’m happy to let you. Putting a label on me won’t spoil my day one bit, I’m a realist not a sheep. And you trying to belittle me won’t bother me either. Enjoy the rest of your day,

{Ed001's Note - no you are ignorant, nothing real about your viewpoint. It is not belittling you to point out that what you say is bigoted, when it clearly is. It is not my fault you lack the knowledge to understand that you are just another spouting bigotry disguised as realism.}

7.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:29:02
Taking a knee originated from Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for the US national anthem. I wouldn't stand for the US national either.
What's the difference? Kneeling was just seen as a more respectful way of not standing.
How many Millwall fans would have stood for the US anthem had that been played at their ground.

{Ed001's Note - and it was nothing to do with BLM then either. The problem is that racists are now hiding behind BLM to pretend they are not racist and it is the politics they disagree with.}

8.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:34:47
Pegleg, your post is filled with absolute drivel, projection, based on the position of privilege and absolute ignorance of what BLM is and how it came about.

I lived in the States when BLM came about. I propose you go educate yourself on what led to BLM and the overall movement that now has majority support now in the States (helped Biden get elected), and the actual incident/ killing that caused it's inception. Spoiler alert: It had absolutely NOTHING to do with a police killing of a black individual. Oh and the whole "All lives Matter" thing? Pls, go learn what that statement means cos I bet you if you knew it's meaning, you would not have even thought of including it in your comments.

You claim that racism has no place in our society YET you cannot support a movement that has been fighting for racial justice and equality in the justice system cos they make you feel uncomfortable. Be advised that you are not the only one who spouts this foolishness. A lot of people do that so nothing new here. Martin Luther King addressed this very same issue and I propose again, to go read what he said about people spouting the very same things you did in your comments.

I know nothing about knife crime in the UK and I am open to being educated on it BUT I know this: Being non racist does not mean one is anti racist. Being non racist simply means one can allow it or disagree with those fighting it IF it makes them uncomfortable OR if it can benefit them in some way. We should all be wise to know the difference.

9.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:55:54
Spot on, Ed. Kapernick NEVER said nor intimated that he was part of any movement or BLM for that matter. He did all of this on his own accord. People, racists or non racists (does not mean you are anti racism) hid behind every excuse you can think of, to escoriate him and not support him him during this whole time. Now they are attaching him to the BLM movement in a bid to knee cap both he and BLM.

Here is some news: BLM has a high approval rating in the States right now. BLM via it's power it gained for their cause, helped kick The Dump out of the WH in the last elections and has been boosting candidates towards winning state and local election races. One of the Corey Bush (a BLM protester herself) won a seat in the U. S Congress this past election. This is what their detractors are afraid of, in the main.

Like MLK said, "The fight for equality is a war between Good and Evil. Light and Darkness". Meaning? There is NO space for neutrality. Therefore, if you are against any movement in favor of Civil Rights, Human Rights, Voting Rights or any for of equality then sorry, you have picked a side so OWN which side you have picked and be done with it. The End!

10.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 10:56:52
What sheep are you not, Pegleg?
A black one or a white one?

11.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 11:12:47
He's not even worth the comment Ed1 mate, unfortunately people like that will never learn. Shame.

{Ed001's Note - I just look on that if you ignore the comments and not point out how ludicrous and bigoted they are, they won't know they are bigots. Clearly he thinks he is not racist and is being fair. I just hope one day he opens his eyes and realises how wrong he was about that.}

12.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 11:22:45
Very true Ed and chance would be a fine thing mate.

{Ed001's Note - you never know. People do change, it has happened many times.}

13.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 11:37:20
Reading these are quite disturbing.

To assiociate knives with blacks, hmm, it reminds me of something similar; a certain label being given by a certain race in my country, on another certain race.

No matter how you look at it, to generalize like that, it is nothing but racism.

14.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:03:30
Ed, I’m sorry but you’re wrong here. You are wrong about BLM and you are absolutely wrong to simply label someone as a racist when you’ve not a shred of proof to make such an accusation. A level of intolerance in your own comments towards the contributor is evident.
As for your comments about BLM, firstly, in the beginning the taking of the knee was clearly being demonstrated as “supporting the Black Lives Matter movement”. Whether that has since changed stance to something else, the relevant media has not been explicit in stating as such. While most people, one would hope, would fully support efforts to rid society of racism and whatever vile form it takes, it is unacceptable to simply label others as racist because they hold legitimate concerns regarding the actions of BLM as an organization, and is rather a despicable thing to do.

{Ed001's Note - sorry but you are wrong. The media can say what they want but the players have never said such. They take the knee as an expression of solidarity, but it was never about BLM, it was about inequality. You are showing your ignorance and I direct you to the statement put out by Colchester's chairman Robbie Cowling: "Those that take the knee want to highlight that all lives should be valued and should not be treated inhumanely or inferior to others just because of their race. It is undeniable that black and other ethnic minority people are still the victims of racism, and the black footballers and staff at Colchester United feel that they are in a position of privilege that has been fought for through the blood and sweat of their ancestors. A position that in 2020 the average black person is still not afforded. Those taking the knee, and supporting the taking of the knee, not only shows their willingness to support the drive to eradicate racial oppression but force it to be a talking point even when it's uncomfortable." There is nothing in there about BLM because it is not about BLM.}

15.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:03:44
It amuses me when they use Marxism as the excuse of why they disagree with BLM and taking the knee. I had a long winded debate on Tw*tter with some guy who after being asked countless times couldn't name one Communist policy or how it was linked to taking a knee in protest of racism. Eventually he got all p*ssy and started spouting about defunding the police. It's pathetic and the modern equivalent of "I'm not racist but. " I'm sure those Milwall fans spend hours debating the pros and cons of the Communist manifesto.

The all lives matter argument gets my back up too. Obviously all lives matter it goes without saying. But it is untrue until black lives start to matter equally. There is clearly a systemic racism problem and it's telling that people arguing there is not are 99% white people who have no experience with it. Just listen to what is being said.

16.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:15:10
very sad commentary on the times we are living in currently. disagree with someone's point of view and they are labeled a racist or bigot.

{Ed001's Note - if you think that's what is happening I fear for you. It is sad times we live in because of endemic racism and bigotry. But you carry on trying to turn it on those that don't feel it is ok to spout bigotry.}

17.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:47:08
I would like to add a few more.

There's a fine line between a point of view or an opinion, and something that is right or wrong.

1+2 is 3. You can't argue that by saying "no no. This is my opinion, my opinion says it is 5".

18.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:51:39
Joyner Lucas - I'm not racist. Check the song and video out on YouTube. fitting to this ignorance and people literally saying "I'm not racist"

19.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 12:56:33
Criticize BLM? You must be racist. Why can’t you point out flaws in the movement? Are we so shallow and afraid to criticize because we might be perceived as racist?

This self righteous need to put someone down just because they do so is nauseating. The message to the vast majority of us is something to get behind, but it’s as clear as night and day that The organization is deeply flawed.

It is not racist to say that knife crime is higher in a black community if it actually is. It’s not racist to say that a medication works better on white people (or black people) than another race. If the facts are there, they’re there. I don’t know about Uk crime statistics but this notion that you can’t point out statistics about certain demographics or you’re a racist is childish. Stop pretending problems don’t exist and actually try to address them. Stop saying race doesn’t matter to you when every time it is discussed you call someone a racist!

We are never going to get past this.

20.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 13:27:47
Regarding the poppy, British soldiers have been taking peoples freedoms for centuries, colonialist powers shouldn't waffle on about freedom.

21.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 14:05:00
I am an avid reader of this site, I have such a high regard for the platform and enjoy reading its usual level headed posts to pass the time. For an online platform the general vibe is so positive and calm, much of that must be due to the regulating from the Eds.

For this reason, this thread saddened me more than the usual drivel you read online. Ed001's responses were perfect, and he is completely correct to say you can not just ignore comments like those.

It is funny to see how you always see people say I am open to hearing other people's views, but when Ed001 made so many great points all they heard was the, in my opinion, valid accusation of racism and bigotry. Then you see multiple responses debasing everything that was said purely using the "you can't call me racist" or "stop being soft" card.

You can not condemn a cause based on the actions of people, people make mistakes, their mistakes do not alter the message of the cause. We can not allow people to distort a positive message in this way.

By example, a mistake by a Liverpool player or fan, by default reflects on Liverpool as a club, but it does not define them. 1 person, or a group of people can not change a global brand, and it is ignorant to let it shape your opinion.

How can we use some negative data, to segregate a whole race of people? For context, if people from 1 or 2 houses on your street commit a crime, would you consent for the police to brandish you a criminal by association?

We as humans instinctively label things, it is so easy to caught into a "us and them" pattern. In many ways we can forgive that, because it is primitive safety measure to protect us. But as intelligent people we have to learn to look past that, see past flaws and find the good. Being wary and having doubts is fine, but being dismissive and ignorant is not.

22.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 14:30:14
Racism is an awful thing, Kids aren't born racist they are taught to be so, let's be like kids and live in harmony. YNWA.

23.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 15:17:34
Top form ed001. Well done for trying to educate and point out and correct ignorance, it’s all you can do with these people. Lead a horse to water and all that.
If you drank I would owe you a beer, you’ve impressed me today.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mikey. As I don't you will have to drink it for me.}

24.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 16:14:27
From a scientific viewpoint you are all equally worthless regardless of ancestral u. v. exposure, be kind to each other because the universe hates you.

25.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 16:15:37
Ed.1 - it’s so easy to just say nothing and let the bigots control the narrative. It takes courageous people to stand up and say that’s not right. Good on you!

{Ed001's Note - thank you but, to be honest, I find it more difficult to say nothing. In general I mean, I am not good at keeping quiet, it usually gets me in trouble as I don't have a brain/mouth filter.}

26.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 16:30:58
As a black man, I would like to thank you ed and all posters who responded to that initial post to call out the ignorance for what it actually was. I honestly try to stay out of these conversations now because its a never ending back and forth with uneducated idiots who suck on media fed teet or anything vomited up from mr farage or Mr Robinson and that idiot Ms hopkins.

The whole BLM thing I don't fully agree with as I feel the bandwagon has been jumped on when these issues have been around and highlighted for decades. It shouldn't be 2020 when real discussions around racism should be had has I feel as a world with easy access to information we should have had this eradicated by now. My 7 year old still experiences racism in the playground from time to time which saddens me as we are still a few generations from eradicating it imo.

Its quiet simple really, racism and discrimination is wrong. There is no middle ground about it. There is no oh but my opinion still matters. Its wrong. End of. YNWA.

27.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 17:16:11
Make no mistake - virtue signalling, woke and all lives matter are terms invented by racists to hide behind. They don’t like having their hate exposed. Carry on taking the knee, carry on confronting racists, those who hate will not win in the long run.

28.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 17:46:10
I'm not particularly fond of these discussions as they always feel very dogmatic.

However, for those on the "all lives matter" wagon I urge you then to go out and do what you can for those less fortunate.

Go to your local soup kitchen.
Volunteer to coach some underprivileged children's sports classes.
Donate to a charity fighting poverty.
Support a minimum wage increase.

Go support "all lives" and perhaps a little anecdotal evidence will change your views.

29.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 18:55:03
Spot on, ND. All Lives Matter is what racists cops, persons and the most rabid Trump supporters spout in response to the BLM movement for equal justice. If you advocate for the All Lives Matter movement then, you know what director are on do OWN it and deal with its consequences.

30.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 18:58:07
Agreed iron. Same people that say all lives matter complain about immigration.

31.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 19:12:50
Redscarface as a fellow black man, I am not surprised nor am I saddened about this discussion. The fight for equality actually reveals who we are as well as what we stand for and what we are willing to give up or tolerate just to feel comfortable and secure in the greater society.

Your humanity or lack thereof for your fellow man will b revealed via these conversations and it can either change hearts and minds. Or further harden them. It is what it is. There lies the choice for everyone as there is no fence sitting or neutrality as far dat the fight for equality and justice is concerned. None whatsoever.

I am ulcered by the fact that your 7 yr old suffers racial abuse at the playground. I have a 6 yr old and trust me, I know what is coming. But we cannot b what we claim to be against. As the late Civil Rights icon John Lewis always said, “Let us continue to speak up and speak out. And let us continue to love. Because hatred is too big of a burden to bear”.

Let us preach tenants love for humanity to our children regardless of the hate they see and experience as that is the only way we can protect them from the hatred that is lurking, seeking to devour their innocent and gentle hearts and minds. Peace and Love.

32.) 08 Dec 2020
08 Dec 2020 19:30:47
Peg leg, your post was awful, so many stereotypes in there. Hate is hate however people try to frame it. Just be nice. Treat everyone how u want to be treated. It's not hard is it?

33.) 09 Dec 2020
09 Dec 2020 00:45:20
Thank you Ed.01 for standing up in your official capacity and adding some weight to the truth. It's frightening how things can be demonised so easily.

Racism is real and any way we can highlight it, start to reverse it and move to a kinder world needs to be supported. There will always be people who want to benefit from others misery but we have to stand (or kneel) for what is right.

Again Ed.01 I applaud you and everyone on this thread who took time to push back against some truly frightening attitudes.

{Ed001's Note - thank you Pot.}

34.) 09 Dec 2020
09 Dec 2020 08:00:44
Why was I not surprised that someone with the name Pegleg was against bending the knee.

Absolutely beautiful response Ed001. Thank you.

What irks me massively is that people appear to be against the phrase Black Lives Matter and don’t bother reading about the history of the movement behind it. Black Lives. Matter. Please consider that word and how little it is asking for. It’s not Better. Or Greater. Or asking for more. Just Matter. Such a simple request and one that is so easy to acquiesce, if one disagrees with it. Nobody is forcing anybody to do anything, so why be against it? Why spend so much time and negative energy fighting something? If everyone doing so spent an equal amount of time and positive energy think of the difference we could make. Together.