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Having seen that poor "statement" from @themillwallfans I feel I should expedite some of my thoughts on a thread. I'm still formulating a number of them and watching this shit show unfold live so apologies if a bit scattered. Questions obvs welcome as I go along https://twitter.com/_Jampot/status/1335601362273439747
Plus I have questions about the club's overall handling, events since, as well as those who have put the club in the mud. This is multifaceted.
First and foremost, how rattled in the head/upset in life must you be to boo a gesture that the club outlined to be in support of a cause (as opposed to in support of a political group). I'll come back to this...
The knee has become synonymous with showing solidarity with the black community since it was taken by Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
Don't get it twisted, I absolutely loathe virtue signalling and empty gestures. I've made this clear time and time again - seen it more so over the past few years so that corporations and organisations can be seen to be doing the right thing to cover up actually doing
I too find the BLM organisation problematic led and full of bandwagon middle classes who want to coattail a serious issue to and use it as a vehicle to push further division. I'll address this another day...
However in the same way that Colin's symbol had nada to do with the BLM organisation, nobody here can tell me that those 3 words alone - Black lives matter - is up for debate. If you think otherwise, you're a cunt.
@Millwallfc for all its muddled history has spent the last couple of decades in particular going the extra mile with @kickitout (footballs forgetten anti-racism set up) and through the MCT to ensure that absolutely EVERYBODY in the area has a fair chance to progress themselves.
The club sits in a very working class area, quite central with property developers and a dodgy council drooling over it. Wall supporters old and young are generally united in having a sense of working class pride passed on through generations.
I love the club personally not only because it's literally on the doorstep of where I grew up but I've seen first hand the positive contribution the club has made to a LOT of youngsters in the area and continues to do so.
Nobody has asked the club to, the club doesn't have to (Lewisham council certainly don't try) but they do. Another chat for another day but all in this thread for some context
The club is well aware of the times it's dragged itself through the mud and continues to address this through some of the strictest bans in the country and education programmes for those that need it - often going above and beyond to conduct this - off its own accord
Over my years of going to The Den, I've never once felt threatened, if anything I've never felt more secure knowing that if shit hit the fan, I'd be backed because I'm Millwall.
Don't get me wrong I am absolutely sure we have racists knocking around amongst the rest -
but another thing that bothers me is the quickness for people who know nothing of the club and the media to denounce the whole set up at Millwall as racist when I can assure you you'll find these same people at your favourite sports or arts club.
The same people who cry on here about generalising others will generalise a whole football club with EASE without checking their own back yard. Does a huge discredit to the majority of fans down there who are some of the most real people I've come across
Racism is a nationwide issue. It's not pinned to one sport. It's certainly not pinned to one football club and it's fucking offensive that some of those on the outside will be quick to sweep it into one corner in SE16 and turn an eye on the rest of it.
Again, how backwards have you got to be to boo a gesture that doesn't really concern you, lasts all of about 5 seconds for like 3 more matches?
How selfish have you got to be thinking you're a hero but not realising that with all the build up, the views pre game fuelled by the club's shite statement (I'll come back to that) that all eyes would be on us but still think it the right thing to do?
I see a lot of things out on the street, on here, whatever that I don't agree with but doesn't bother me so what do I do? Nothing. No support no visible anti support nothing. Booing isn't "ard" but it definitely is a clear active showing of being against something. The gesture.
That was absolutely not the time for it. There was never a time for it.
How the fuck do you lot think our black players felt at that moment because a few thickos didn't engage brain. Some here saying they are anti the org but support the raw cause. The club said it was continuing the gesture in support of the raw cause and you lot boo? Fucking divs
Here I should point out that since the weekend Britain's first have been sniffing around and I've seen a pretty clear sweep of most Millwall fans split on the booing, dennouce that lot. The fans don't want politics of any type riding the back of us.
Politicians don't care for the working classes. We see it, we want none of it. Left or Right.
But of course they are going to jump on the club because a bunch of mindless have put us back in the mud.
How dare some of you use Reg's "peg" quote when on Saturday, a number of you built the fucking peg for the rest of the country to hang shit off.
Don't give me "but west ham, but Colchester"
Engage your own brains.
Don't give me "but west ham, but Colchester"
Engage your own brains.
I don't recall the club's statement mentioning the organisation (correct me if I'm wrong) so what on earth gave some of you the idea to react like that without the repercussions crossing your mind even once?
I'll comeback to this because I still want to tick off my stance on the club's handling of the whole thing before and after AND the difference between being a cunt to create a hostile atmosphere (which I love to shit at The Den) and being a backwards cunt
Let me hammer out some of the other bits real quick. The club. I saw somebody mention that rather than Friday's crap statement, why did nobody interview Mahlon and a couple others to get their take? (Great shout this) Also, why so close to the match?
I made the point under the statement on Friday that I'd like to see the @MillwallFC lead by example and I was disappointed that opted to lurch into "because everyone else does" rather than "we are doing it because XYZ but we do more, let's fucking showcase this to the world"
@MillwallFC you have done better, you know you do better. Do better. The post match statement shouldn't have taken as long as it did and again like Friday it felt like a "rush something out and be seen" when I know that there's so much more you've done as a club to pad that out.
We aren't the only ones that have a muddled history by a long shot.
We don't half do ourselves any favours with stuff like this but the club puts so much in to creating a better society for all over ANY other club in England. It should be proud of it and lead by example.
We don't half do ourselves any favours with stuff like this but the club puts so much in to creating a better society for all over ANY other club in England. It should be proud of it and lead by example.
