MICAH RICHARDS: If a black player makes a mistake in a game, then goes on social media, he’s there waiting. Banana emoji, monkey picture or words that make your stomach sick – it MUST stop!
- Black players who have been racially abused online are so sad but also predictable
- It becomes common for them to receive false messages if they make a mistake in a game
- I know from experience that there is racism every day for a black player
- The next step must be to consistently identify those who are offensive
- He can’t keep going and the bigots who do can’t keep up with him
It has been a difficult and sad days. A series of stories involving racially abused players on social media has become big news and encouraged people to start talking about the topic.
Many will be horrified by the brutality posted to the accounts of Manchester United trio Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe, along with Chelsea’s Reece James and West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers.
In person? I was not surprised and it did not surprise me. Sadly, I knew he was coming for them. in the same way I knew it was coming for Tammy Abraham at Chelsea when he lost a penalty in the 2019 European Super Cup.
Marcus Rashford is one of three Man United stars who have recently been the victims of online racism
Monkey emojis were posted on Axel Tuanzebe’s Instagram after a loss to Sheffield United
I say this from an experience standpoint. You may think that racism will only happen to football players but I can tell you now that it is there every day for a black player.
If a black player logs on to Instagram or Facebook or Twitter after a game in which they made a mistake or missed a chance to score, it will be there, waiting. It’s probably a banana emoji; it could be a picture of a monkey or it could be words that make your stomach sick – but it will be there.
It has got to the point where this type of abuse is considered ‘normal’ but this is as far out of the ordinary as possible. The reason some black players stopped talking about it was because what they were saying was falling on deaf ears.
Chelsea’s Reece James has also been abused on his social media account
The Chelsea defender shared a screenshot of the racist messages he received on Instagram
I know there will be an article like this with eyes going and saying “here we are again” but we can’t stand it and let this continue. Judging by the response I’ve received since my Tackling Racism documentary appeared on Sky last week, I know a lot of fair-minded people feel the same way.
For an excerpt from the program, I spoke to people at Instagram to see what they are doing to counter the trolls. I understand that it is physically impossible to remove every piece of racism on their site but they are aiming to clean it up. I could accept what they are trying to do.
But the next step must be, it consistently identifies those who are offensive. I understand that it will be against the registration for social media by submitting an official document, whether it is a passport, driver’s license or anything else. People have a right to privacy.
Tammy Abraham was abused after losing a penalty in the 2019 European Cup Super Cup final – when a black player makes a mistake, racial abuse is always waiting for them online
But knowing one’s identity is not the same as denying their right to free speech. We should always have free speech. What some have done, however, is bring that right of free speech and twist into a statement that is appropriate for them so that they can spit hate material.
How can social media companies stop that? One idea I found involves embedding a device that makes it physically impossible to emit any of these racist expressions, in the same way that pre-text say on your phone correctly swear word.
If someone wants to post a message that contains racist language, it should immediately appear with administrators, who are constantly monitoring what is being published. These companies don’t spend any time slowing down sports content that violates copyright rules, so why slow them down with racism?
Unfortunately, I would say that half of the people who post such messages are racist at heart and will never be changed. No amount of education will work on them, no explanation will go through them. They are bigots and will always be big.
Anthony Martial (L) and Romaine Sawyers (R) were targeted on social media this week
The other 50 percent who do it are stupid and do not understand the impact of their actions. They have seen other people get away with it and think they can get away with it too. They cannot get away with it and should not be given a platform to commit such a famine.
Marcus Rashford has been targeted because he does so much good and has achieved so much in his life that some bitter people cannot accept their own shortcomings. Axel Tuanzebe would be targeted because, as a less established member of United’s squad, he was an easy target.
The sad thing is I could predict. I have seen it all my life. If we want real change, we need to work together. The abuse of black and ethnic athletes on social media can no longer be seen as normal. It must stop.
