I come from Leeds, and I have supported Leeds United since the end of the Revie era.
No club in world football has done more in the last 50 years to combat racism and fascism than Leeds United. That is not just because of the determination of the club itself, but because few clubs have had such a problem with racism and fascism.
It has been a long and painful journey, and that journey never ends. Anti-racists and anti-fascists must be constantly vigilant.
I am delighted to say that Leeds United today is something that the racists and fascists of the 1970s could not have imagined. I don’t just mean the manager and players of the men’s senior team. I mean the women’s team, the accessibility, the people who now represent what it is to be “Leeds”. I have already posted about Javinder Jade’s brilliant arrangement of Marching On Together.
When England lost the penalty shoot-out against Italy, it occurred to some people to blame black players for missing penalties.
In other words, the blamers were insinuating that black players should be treated differently from white players, just because of the colour of their skin.
Many people struggle to understand the fascist mentality and struggle is, however impractical, a wonderful thing, because it means that there are people who do not understand, and cannot engage with, hatred.
I will now try to explain the racist-fascist mentality. The following is based on my experience of 40 years of struggle against racism and fascism, including within my own family.
To get to the point of sending racial abuse on social media against an England football player, it goes like this:
“A lot of things happen which are beyond my control”
“I feel as if I should be able to control this situation, but I can’t.”
“I hate myself for not being in control.”
“Fascism tells me that my problems are not my fault: they are the fault of immigrants.”
“I can transfer my hatred onto anyone I classify as ‘other’, which includes black and Asian people, and Jews.”
“Any event, the outcome of which is not to my liking, is the fault of the ‘other’ people.”
“I will racially abuse black players who missed penalties.”
A person who ‘reasons’ like that cannot reason at all.
The point is that all fascism is nothing more a manifestation of self-loathing.
Extreme nationalism derives from ignorance, and from an inferiority complex.
I am proud of everything the England men’s football team has achieved during this tournament. They didn’t win the final, but this team will continue to learn and grow. I am sure there will be other finals. I know there will be more exciting matches.
Learning and growing is something that the fascists cannot understand, something they do not have access to.
Imagine a life in which you can only eat the same, nasty thing, over and over again. No wonder they are always in such a bad mood.
We should feel sorry for them.
iamhyperlexic 