Genuine Discrimination Or Playing The Race Card?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2807528/Football-club-charged-race-victimisation-FA-refusing-pay-medical-bills-injured-black-striker.html

[ummmm]

He was treated differently to the other players so they either just didn't like him or it's race related. The FA thought it was the latter.

[agchristie]

There's probably much more to this. A number of issues are thrown up such as:-

Why were some white players 'not required' for training during adverse weather? How did the rest of the squad manage?

Did his colleague's injury require more specialist attention?

Was McCammon a regular fixture in the team at the time of his injury?

On the first point, did they stop either WW1/2 due to bad weather?

Any Gillingham fans out there?

[-Talbot-]

I don't know, not enough information.

[agchristie]

Forgot to mention, I haven't read about any other of the black players coming forward claiming, as McCammon suggests, that they were treated differently.

[Orderlimit]

Using and abusing the race card

[agchristie]

An employment tribunal ruled in the player's favour, the club appealed but the verdict was upheld by a judge last year. Sticky one it seems for the Gills who didn't seem to get much return from their investment, just five goals in over 60 matches.

[sp1814]

From the evidence at hand, it appears that the player was discriminated against, but it's entirely possible that it was for reasons other than race.

The problem that black people face is that if they ever accuse a body of racism, there are some ignorant people who will automatically assume that they are playing 'the race card'.

It's the way that some try to shut black people up.

The same happens with women, gay people and the disabled. There will be cases of discrimination raised, and the usual crew will snidely insinuate that some card is being played, in order to discredit the claimant.

I think we all should acknowledge that racism exists in all walks of life (and within all races), and I think that at this juncture it would be wise to wait unitil the FA has adjudicated.

[-Talbot-]

Clearly they wanted rid of him as cheaply as possible. You can't blame them for that, he hasn't got a great record.

[Orderlimit]

Same for white people as well SP

[Canary42]

Agree totally sp1814.

[EDDIE51]

Reading this it looks like he just simply was not 'up to standard' as a player.
Nothing to do with the colour of his skin.

[EDDIE51]

sp1814 I agree with your post but it works both ways.
I worked in a care home and one of the staff was 'hopeless' often late for work, took a lot of time off sick, made lots of mistakes and did not improve, had a poor attitude to the residents and more. She just happened to be black. Every time she was reprimanded she just 'played the race card' and claimed it was 'just because I am black'. She was eventually sacked but she lasted far longer than she would have done if she was white. The supervisors were terrified of being labelled 'racist' and backed down several times.

[EDDIE51]

^^ she eventually got the boot when it was proved she was working in another care home while on sick leave from the first job. If it had not been for that I think she would still be there.

[agchristie]

It would be interesting to know how many black players the club had on its books during McCammon's stint. How were they treated?

[sp1814]

Yes, some people play whatever card they have to hand, and each case needs to be evaluated on it's own merits.

Britain in 2014 is hugely less bigoted than it was even as recently as the 70s, but the 'isms' haven't been wiped out completely. I doubt they ever will.

The best way for organisations to ensure fair treatment of their staff is to have transparent and robust disciplinary measures in place which can demonstrate that they are treating employees equally.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes I can remember in the 1970s seeing signs in B&Bs saying ' no coloured people accommodated'

[-Talbot-]

Sp, an apprentice at Man U would get nothing like the treatment David Beckham would. (Remember the world waiting for news of his broken foot?)


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1390543/World-waits-on-Beckhams-broken-bone.html

[youngmafbog]

The problem that black people face is that if they ever accuse a body of racism, there are some ignorant people who will automatically assume that they are playing 'the race card'.

Maybe black people need to share some of the blame on this too. Perhaps if they didnt play the race card genuine cases could easily be seen.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// It's the way that some try to shut black people up. ///

Oh so persons who dare to suggest the race card is being played, now according to you, not only face being called racist, but now ignorant and bigoted.

I presume this is your attempt to shut white people up?

[sp1814]

AOG

Certainly not.

Without question, you post more 'Oh pity me - it's so hard to be a white heterosexual male' on AB than anyone else in the whole history of AB, but I welcome your posts because they give everyone else a chance to challenge your views and post their thoughts.

But I'm sure you'll agree that there are some people who are not as fair-minded as you and indeed think that any non-white who accuses someone of racism is merely playing the race card.

I would venture that your yourself have been accused of playing 'the age card' on more than one occasion?

I think that too, is very unfair.