To all the white men
This message if for you
This morning a tired boy chats to me over breakfast
He is not talking about the disappointment he feels about the game
Not directly
He talks to me of the fear he feels at the aftermath
He is scared for the Italian kids at school
(Mum I hope their parents know to keep them home)
The fear he feels for the women subjected to domestic violence
(England losing typically means 38% rise in domestic abuse)
But mostly of the racism that he has witnessed on the internet in the few hours since England lost
(“The monkey jokes are everywhere mum, its gross, there are videos of people being beaten because they are black”)
The significance of this not lost on him
A beautiful kind hearted soul
(With afro hair and black skin, paler, yet just as beautiful as his dad’s)
Football has long been associated with violence, racism and bigotry
The England team have risen up and shown compassion, strength, kindness, and humanity
Gareth Southgate has displayed such admirable qualities through this tournament. I salute him and thank him
It is time for ALL white men to stand up and be role models for our kids
Stop racism in its tracks
Call people out
Do not like or share jokes
Do not join in the banter
Be an ally
Check your bias
Do the work
Find wholesome ways to process your grief, and let your sons and the boys around you witness this
Be like Gareth
Be the best role model – the next generation need you right now
