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Scottish players taking a knee... a thread
1) It’s important to note that this was the first time Scottish players have taken a knee during the silence for NHS workers and rugby against racism. No Scottish player took a knee during the Six Nations or Autumn Tests. So what changed?
2) Watching it back, Chris Harris steps out the line and looks towards the England line up and then when he sees England players taking a knee he and Cam Redpath do likewise and are joined by Ali Price and Jonny Gray.
(Quick side bar: It’s interesting Jonny Gray took a knee as none of his Exeter team mates did and I don’t believe England’s Exeter players kneeled during the Autumn)
3) This is the first time Scotland have faced a team, since the rugby against racism silence was introduced, where a large number opposition players have taken a knee. Did Harris take a look to check whether England players were kneeling and then do likewise?
4) All the Scottish players who kneeled were grouped together so it would make sense that they would follow when he kneeled... that might be the reason Hamish Watson is looking along the line in the photo
OR...
OR...
5) Cam Redpath plays for Bath with Beno Obano who made this excellent documentary for Amazon. Redpath wasn’t there in the Autumn so maybe he asked Scotland players to join him in kneeling with his club teammate and a few decided to do so? https://watch.amazon.co.uk/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.3cbace8b-ffaf-2899-af1f-ef7df5930fd8&territory=GB&ref_=share_ios_movie&r=web
6) At the moment the only player on the pitch who has explained why he doesn’t kneel is Billy Vunipola. He’s unfortunately bought into some misrepresentation of BLM movement. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/19/black-lives-matter-at-odds-with-my-religious-beliefs-says-billy-vunipola
7) Until there’s an explanation no one should “condemn” the Scotland players who didn’t take a knee and ultimately, unless the reasons for not doing so are spurious or suspect they shouldn’t be condemned anyway.
8) Taking a knee has to be a choice otherwise it becomes an empty gesture that everyone is compelled to do for fear of being “cancelled”. It’s not racist to stand quietly during the silence for rugby against racism BUT I’d argue it’s not anti racist. It’s passive participation
9) Taking a knee shows solidarity with anti racism. It’s an active demonstration. It doesn’t mean you endorse some of the political views of some within the broad BLM movement. Anyone who believes that has spent too much time doing their own “research” on YouTube.
10) We’re entitled to ask why the Scotland players didn’t take a knee and comment those reasons whatever they might be. But until those reasons are clear we shouldn’t judge.
11) I don’t believe anything was brought up at the post match press conference. That wasn’t the main story. But it’s likely to be something that’s picked up during the week.
In the meantime here’s some further reading: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/aug/13/this-weekend-has-to-be-day-one-of-rugby-unions-fight-against-racism
