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The GAA And Taking The Knee.

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There is controversy about this gesture in football. For example the English team takes a knee before matches, and the Scottish team will not be doing so. What should the GAA do, you can be sure that their critics will latch onto any thing that makes the CLG look bad. If they take a knee, they will be called trendy Marxists, if not they will be called borderline racist. So what should be done. Well personally I think they should allow any player who wants to, to take the knee. Reason being to reach out to non whites. And if any player does not, well that is ok too. Is mise le meas, Galwayford.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 11/06/2021 11:01:08    2349542

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Replying To galwayford:  "There is controversy about this gesture in football. For example the English team takes a knee before matches, and the Scottish team will not be doing so. What should the GAA do, you can be sure that their critics will latch onto any thing that makes the CLG look bad. If they take a knee, they will be called trendy Marxists, if not they will be called borderline racist. So what should be done. Well personally I think they should allow any player who wants to, to take the knee. Reason being to reach out to non whites. And if any player does not, well that is ok too. Is mise le meas, Galwayford."
You can be sure Dublin would try to do something trendy like doing that, the PR machine would swing into full gear.

The best thing the GAA can do is keep trying to promote the games to foreign born and children of foreign born people, be they African or Eastern European.

the_creeler (Leitrim) - Posts: 119 - 11/06/2021 11:04:48    2349545

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not a chance, if the GAA go down this route I for one will leave. This populist nonsense is none of our business, why is there no 'knee' for the palestinians, why was there no 'knee' for Irish catholics being discriminated against and massacred in our own country, where does it end!!? I will never support that fai soccer team again.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 11/06/2021 11:22:51    2349548

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Would love to see it.
We are a generation on from a lot of immigration yet all our GAA teams are almost fully Irish descent.
I don't think the GAA do enough to encourage immigrants and minor ethnicities to play our games.
Having said that, have heard plenty about players being racially abused in club games, maybe I should not be surprised.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1732 - 11/06/2021 11:23:00    2349549

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Replying To the_creeler:  "You can be sure Dublin would try to do something trendy like doing that, the PR machine would swing into full gear.

The best thing the GAA can do is keep trying to promote the games to foreign born and children of foreign born people, be they African or Eastern European."
Does taking a knee reach out to non whites. I think it is an ok gesture. I would not though like to see any team or player criticized for not doing it.
The media will have a field day regardless, if GAA don't, well are they racist. If they do, are they "trendy marxists".

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 11/06/2021 11:36:33    2349550

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Regarding the Irish football team, well I think the FAI should have done more to help James McClean. He got a lot of abuse for not wearing a poppy. And the FAI and league of Ireland clubs, did not really help him too much. It is good of Stephen Kenny to still play him, even though he is past his prime. James is a legend.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 11/06/2021 11:38:52    2349552

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Replying To Tom1916:  "not a chance, if the GAA go down this route I for one will leave. This populist nonsense is none of our business, why is there no 'knee' for the palestinians, why was there no 'knee' for Irish catholics being discriminated against and massacred in our own country, where does it end!!? I will never support that fai soccer team again."
Being against racism is populist? How is it none of our business when players have experienced racism on our GAA pitches? Honestly, if that's how you feel with a gesture, it says more about you than anything else. Away with you so if you want to leave a sport due to something like that, I'd rather you not be associated with the sport

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2379 - 11/06/2021 11:45:00    2349553

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Replying To the_creeler:  "You can be sure Dublin would try to do something trendy like doing that, the PR machine would swing into full gear.

The best thing the GAA can do is keep trying to promote the games to foreign born and children of foreign born people, be they African or Eastern European."
What a weird way to bring Dublin into a topic.

Dubsfan28 (Dublin) - Posts: 2509 - 11/06/2021 11:47:14    2349554

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We've had incidents of racism here for minorities playing the game, so I do think something needs to be done as more and more minorities are in Ireland and look to play the games. Whether that's taking the knee or something else, we can see. Initially a gesture raises awareness, but we need to do more in the longer run.

I do think it's a good gesture, but those who don't like it are trying to pervert the meaning away from what it actually means. And a lot of people are buying that perversion: oh I hate it as it's just BLM, it's Marxism etc. when it's not. One thing is for sure, if we sit back and don't think racism is a problem, we're going to turn away a lot of people from the game as they will get bad experiences. For example why would a black Irishperson who has been born and lived here go through that hassle when they go to take part? Can't have head in the sand, needs more than just gestures to get ahead of this as there will be an explosion of other nationalities looking to take part in years to come.

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2379 - 11/06/2021 11:57:57    2349557

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Replying To Loughduff Lad:  "We've had incidents of racism here for minorities playing the game, so I do think something needs to be done as more and more minorities are in Ireland and look to play the games. Whether that's taking the knee or something else, we can see. Initially a gesture raises awareness, but we need to do more in the longer run.

I do think it's a good gesture, but those who don't like it are trying to pervert the meaning away from what it actually means. And a lot of people are buying that perversion: oh I hate it as it's just BLM, it's Marxism etc. when it's not. One thing is for sure, if we sit back and don't think racism is a problem, we're going to turn away a lot of people from the game as they will get bad experiences. For example why would a black Irishperson who has been born and lived here go through that hassle when they go to take part? Can't have head in the sand, needs more than just gestures to get ahead of this as there will be an explosion of other nationalities looking to take part in years to come."
Ireland is not a racist country so I don't see the need for this, you have to keep politics out of our games. In time I'm sure we will see more like Zak Moradi who should be an inspiration to all, the love he has for the game. So maybe he would be a good ambassador to get more foreign nationals playing. I also think most if not all people involved in the gaa have received some sort of abuse either as a player or specator, but in my view it's just passion and they really don't mean it just a heat of the moment think, as when the game is over hands are shaken and everyone is friends again. How many sports can you say that about.

ecad123 (Galway) - Posts: 272 - 11/06/2021 12:13:32    2349560

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When the king of England first heard the Hallelujah chorus in Handel's Messiah he was so moved by religious sentiment that he bowed his head and stood up..
When all of the nobility etc saw this, they then stood up and everyone else in the theatre had to follow. Since then it's become part of the performance that everyone stands during the Chorus..
Doesn't matter what you believe or think. You HAVE to stand up.

Same thing is starting to happen with this taking the knee craic.

If you don't want to or have issue with it you're just a racist. The whole BLM ideology is Marxism dressed up as anti-racism. It's an excuse to pull down statues, burn Churches and harass anyone you disagree with.. Its puerile nonsense. But people are so terrified of speaking out against it because they'll be shredded.

Hating someone because of the colour of their skin or ethnic background is ignorant stupidity.
It would be great to see children of all backgrounds get involved in the GAA but don't want to think that the only way that will happen is by following this s****..
I know someone who reads this is going to disagree with me but its my legitimate opinion.. I believe strongly that taking the Knee is associated with a lot more wrong than right.. I'd hate to see it start in the GAA..

skillet (Limerick) - Posts: 1056 - 11/06/2021 12:16:09    2349562

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Replying To ecad123:  "Ireland is not a racist country so I don't see the need for this, you have to keep politics out of our games. In time I'm sure we will see more like Zak Moradi who should be an inspiration to all, the love he has for the game. So maybe he would be a good ambassador to get more foreign nationals playing. I also think most if not all people involved in the gaa have received some sort of abuse either as a player or specator, but in my view it's just passion and they really don't mean it just a heat of the moment think, as when the game is over hands are shaken and everyone is friends again. How many sports can you say that about."
Well your stance is exactly the head in the sand mentality that we don't need. We do have racism in Ireland, quite a lot of it unfortunately. A quick google search of GAA racism will show you this. A fair few minority players have been abused on the field, asked what they are doing here etc. Any comment section under a social media post about minorities in Ireland on Facebook or Twitter is a cesspool of racist comments. So please don't ignore what is clearly there. Simon Zebo got racially abused at a rugby match too.

Check these links:

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So we have racism in Ireland, and certainly on the field as the links above show, it's not just passion which is an absolutely brutal take. Zak Moradi would be a good ambassador, I'd agree there. He unfortunately has also suffered racist abuse here link

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2379 - 11/06/2021 12:36:46    2349565

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Replying To galwayford:  "There is controversy about this gesture in football. For example the English team takes a knee before matches, and the Scottish team will not be doing so. What should the GAA do, you can be sure that their critics will latch onto any thing that makes the CLG look bad. If they take a knee, they will be called trendy Marxists, if not they will be called borderline racist. So what should be done. Well personally I think they should allow any player who wants to, to take the knee. Reason being to reach out to non whites. And if any player does not, well that is ok too. Is mise le meas, Galwayford."
Ridiculous, getting boring, all lives matter. Read what our own James Mc Clean says, not many stood up for him and other Irish.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2006 - 11/06/2021 12:45:15    2349566

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Replying To ecad123:  "Ireland is not a racist country so I don't see the need for this, you have to keep politics out of our games. In time I'm sure we will see more like Zak Moradi who should be an inspiration to all, the love he has for the game. So maybe he would be a good ambassador to get more foreign nationals playing. I also think most if not all people involved in the gaa have received some sort of abuse either as a player or specator, but in my view it's just passion and they really don't mean it just a heat of the moment think, as when the game is over hands are shaken and everyone is friends again. How many sports can you say that about."
There are racists here just like there are in every country in the world from the USA to China to Africa. There are areas of the US, UK, Asia, South America and Africa where being white isnt good for your life expectancy , never mind your job prospects. On the whole Ireland isnt too bad as far as racism goes. Taking a knee and following Colin Kaepernicks example is I believe showing support for the BLM movement. Nothing wrong with that and alot right with it but all in all it does nothing to tackle real racism. Not hurt pride or bent egos but things like access to jobs, education and healthcare.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11725 - 11/06/2021 12:49:05    2349569

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Taking the knee is old hat in the GAA...
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Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 11/06/2021 12:54:19    2349570

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Replying To skillet:  "When the king of England first heard the Hallelujah chorus in Handel's Messiah he was so moved by religious sentiment that he bowed his head and stood up..
When all of the nobility etc saw this, they then stood up and everyone else in the theatre had to follow. Since then it's become part of the performance that everyone stands during the Chorus..
Doesn't matter what you believe or think. You HAVE to stand up.

Same thing is starting to happen with this taking the knee craic.

If you don't want to or have issue with it you're just a racist. The whole BLM ideology is Marxism dressed up as anti-racism. It's an excuse to pull down statues, burn Churches and harass anyone you disagree with.. Its puerile nonsense. But people are so terrified of speaking out against it because they'll be shredded.

Hating someone because of the colour of their skin or ethnic background is ignorant stupidity.
It would be great to see children of all backgrounds get involved in the GAA but don't want to think that the only way that will happen is by following this s****..
I know someone who reads this is going to disagree with me but its my legitimate opinion.. I believe strongly that taking the Knee is associated with a lot more wrong than right.. I'd hate to see it start in the GAA.."
I think respecting the national anthem is far more important. And every player should respect the anthem. Regarding taking a knee well personally I think it should be voluntary.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 11/06/2021 13:00:41    2349572

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Would love to see it.
We are a generation on from a lot of immigration yet all our GAA teams are almost fully Irish descent.
I don't think the GAA do enough to encourage immigrants and minor ethnicities to play our games.
Having said that, have heard plenty about players being racially abused in club games, maybe I should not be surprised."
They can't drag people down to their local clubs, it's up to the kids and their parents which sports they want to play.
Immigrants from Africa and Eastern Europe would have almost no knowledge of or interest in gaelic games, soccer would be their sport avd as such that's what they'll encourage their kids to play, it's no different to alot of white Irish where I'm from in Galway city who also encourage their kids to play soccer over gaelic games.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1698 - 11/06/2021 13:19:41    2349574

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Replying To Maroonatic:  "Taking the knee is old hat in the GAA...
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Kissing the aul ring is too. You should see Tommy somedays.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 11/06/2021 13:21:30    2349575

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Don't think the GAA need to buy into this. It seems to me like it has lost its initial meaning and has just become a fad now. Its like anything thats overused it just becomes a routine. Also I don't think the GAA need to pay any heed to what other organisations think.
As a previous poster said showing more respect for our National Anthem would be more in their line.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 11/06/2021 13:24:52    2349577

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Christ on a bike.., are you kidding me.... the lunatics are taking over the asylum. No in my opinion we should not be taking or evening considering bending the knee.

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 11/06/2021 13:29:40    2349579

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