In a world obsessed with political correctness, and a fear of offending it was good to hear someone say what they really think.
How many people have forgotten that age old phrase “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
It was refreshing to hear on the radio a week ago a representative of an organisation speak frankly and honestly. When the host of the show said words to the effect of ‘you must be pleased to have an official day each year where you can put your cause front and centre in everyone’s minds and receive all this media attention and coverage.’
Their response was “Not really,” which took the presenter by surprise.
They then added that they would be far happier if there was a daily awareness for this particular issue, and not just a focus for one day and then it is forgotten until next year when the media once again decide to put focus on it, and the various sports dedicate a round of matches to it. They went on to say that if society was authentic about caring about this particular section of society there would be no need for such a day, as they would be aware every day and looking to be inclusive 365 days of the year rather than for one day or one one week a year.
It was so refreshing to hear the head of one organisation not be thanking the media for giving them attention on this particular day, and correctly stating that all we are witnessing is lip service being paid to so many. What makes it so much worse is that current day Governments encourage such behaviours, as there is often funding attached to sports or businesses paying recognition to these causes or sections of the community.
Which then begs the question as to how authentic the various sports are in claiming that they care or support the said cause, or section of the community. It is as if they are trying to validate their commitment to something by having these dedicated days or weeks, when in fact they should be promoting awareness every day and every week.
What does not help is that the United Nations has 129 International days dedicated to some section of society. Which means over a third of each year is in the main dedicated to something we all should be aware of anyway.
In many cases it is hard not to say that sport is leveraging these days for propaganda purposes. It is not propaganda if they are able to give evidence to back up what they are saying. It is easy to say that say that a sport is multicultural and accepting of all, but the proof is in the diversity of those playing the game. This is not about quotas, but making sure that there is the opportunity for players of every nationality, religion or section of the community who wants to play, being able to play.
How many clubs even know how many nationalities they have playing for them, let alone the cultural beliefs that players may have? If they do know, how many cater to make those individuals and their families feel a part of the club?
There is naturally a strong emphasis of sport being accepting of the LGBGTI community, and when the focus goes onto this there are individuals put forward as examples of the sport being inclusive. Yet surely the key is to give proof of a change in attitude rather than put forward an individual? There are still many individuals who are forced to change clubs due to the attitude taken by that club towards them being gay. There are also many gay people who have changed club purely to play at a higher level. Sometimes that has been a much harder journey than they expected, as unfortunately their new club is not as understanding.
These are not issues that can be fixed in one week or with the focus being on them for one day, or even flying a rainbow flag. There has to be a genuine desire to make everyone feel welcome. There has to be a willingness to listen.
It is amazing what one can learn if one asks the right questions. In one sport here in Australia when asked why so few played in the regular competition, Asian Australians said that they were not made to feel welcome and felt that it was a closed shop. In another where the players receive money for playing, when the team realised that it was no longer in contention to win the league the first players to not get paid were the non-whites.
Another athlete who never showered after a game due to their beliefs that they should not reveal their naked body to others was constantly ridiculed and told they stank. Eventually they walked away from the club. Imagine the difference if time had been taken to explain the situation… Those players who had been teasing the individual would have become more educated and aware, and the club would have shown that they genuinely wanted players from all different backgrounds, which in turn may have attracted a whole lot of new players. Instead that club is now a ‘no-go’ area for people with similar beliefs.
Discrimination is sadly in everyday life across the globe. If people are genuine about trying to reduce it great strides can be made.
If they are doing it to tick a box to satisfy a KPI on a management business plan, or to satisfy a funding requirement it will never succeed. For such issues where people’s beliefs, feelings and look are the key there has to be authenticity. There has to be real dialogue and people have to listen to start to develop an understanding. Only then will you witness a genuine shift in attitudes, and people start to think of these issues on a daily basis.
That was what this guest was trying to tell the presenter, but regrettably, their ego saw them feel affronted that someone was appearing ungrateful for the air time. Had they bothered to listen they would have maybe learned something more about the issue.
