Bernardo Silva tweet controversy

[blue5ter]

It is true also that if a white cartoon character bearing a resemblance to a white teammate was posted not a word would have been said. I can see though why that tweet wasn't wise and no matter if Mendy found it hilarious many wouldn't. Now if we all had courses on this stuff why aren't the players?

If it had been a cartoon caricature of an arab and that was compared to Mo Salah, or of a jew and compared to eyal berkovic, of course there would have been at least as big and probably a far bigger uproar. There's no such thing as a cartoon caricature of a white person in this country but that's the whole point

Bernardo is almost certainly not a racist and his actions are not IMO racist. Mendy is patently fine with it, but that's because him & mendy appear to have a relationship like brothers. There's plenty of things myself and my brother call each other in private that we wouldn't in public. What silva did was simply incredibly stupid. No more than that but no less either. This is not about which of us is offended (which again misses the point). It's not about if he is a racist. It's whether it was sensible and acceptable. It was definitely neither and his half hearted apology made the situation worse.

 

[hammocity]

If it had been a cartoon caricature of an arab and that was compared to Mo Salah, or of a jew and compared to eyal berkovic, of course there would have been at least as big and probably a far bigger uproar. There's no such thing as a cartoon caricature of a white person in this country but that's the whole point

Bernardo is almost certainly not a racist and his actions are not IMO racist. Mendy is patently fine with it, but that's because him & mendy appear to have a relationship like brothers. There's plenty of things myself and my brother call each other in private that we wouldn't in public. What silva did was simply incredibly stupid. No more than that but no less either. This is not about which of us is offended (which again misses the point). It's not about if he is a racist. It's whether it was sensible and acceptable. It was definitely neither and his half hearted apology made the situation worse.

I’m still not getting it, black man photo with black cartoon character. Darren Anderton photo IE white man compared to white cartoon character Shaggy from Scooby Do. One attracts a laugh the other one heavily criticised, what am I missing?

 

[jared]

Mendy replied with smiley faces and 1-0 to you.......dontsee the problem personally.....2 mates having a laugh.

Unfortunately there are people who see this in a different way, and it attracts many unsavoury kind judging on some of the replies and comments later on. The intent was good but the outcome is not so.

I feel this is a genuine error and he will learn from this.

 

[paulchapo]

If it had been a cartoon caricature of an arab and that was compared to Mo Salah, or of a jew and compared to eyal berkovic, of course there would have been at least as big and probably a far bigger uproar. There's no such thing as a cartoon caricature of a white person in this country but that's the whole point

Bernardo is almost certainly not a racist and his actions are not IMO racist. Mendy is patently fine with it, but that's because him & mendy appear to have a relationship like brothers. There's plenty of things myself and my brother call each other in private that we wouldn't in public. What silva did was simply incredibly stupid. No more than that but no less either. This is not about which of us is offended (which again misses the point). It's not about if he is a racist. It's whether it was sensible and acceptable. It was definitely neither and his half hearted apology made the situation worse.

The closest caricature I can recollect that depicted a white Englishman, well a rich one, was Lord Snooty, possibly Little Lord Fauntleroy too?

 

[SPIDERBOY]

Unfortunately there are people who see this in a different way, and it attracts many unsavoury kind judging on some of the replies and comments later on. The intent was good but the outcome is not so.

I feel this is a genuine error and he will learn from this.

I get all that mate,but unless Mendy complains,there is nothing to investigate,IMO.

 

[blue5ter]

I’m still not getting it, black man photo with black cartoon character. Darren Anderton photo IE white man compared to white cartoon character Shaggy from Scooby Do. One attracts a laugh the other one heavily criticised, what am I missing?

Really ? This is a serious question ?

I'll answer in good faith although I feel this is part of a wind-up

Darren Anderton had shaggy hair

Is there anything about the cartoon figure that bears a resemblence to Mendy ? Apart from his skin colour ? Plus it's not surprising to learn that there have been many complaints about the cartoon character on it's own, let alone comparing someone else to it.

It's simply incredibly naive for someone of Bernardo's intelligence & profile to not realise that to keep making references to Mendy's colour (because he has done it before) is going to come back and kick you in the teeth. And yes, it's only possible to view that tweet as being a reference to Mendy's colour. Whereas the shaggy reference was to the chap's hair, not his skin colour. And yes Silva's post might have been acceptable in a whatsapp convo (though not by a footballer as there's too much chance someone makes it public) but this was on twitter .I thought players were educated in these areas and again, that makes it worse because he surely has been told to avoid potential controversy about these types of issues

 

[ancoats]

I have finished work now but we had this hammered home to us on numerous equality/diversity courses in my last few years there. I worked on ships where the humour was pretty cruel if not brutal at times so for many old timers it was a bit of an eye opener. The younger kids were more up to speed with it all. Basically we were told almost anything was off limits even nicknames for people. Even if that person was happy with it if anyone heard it and was offended by what was said, then the person saying it was in deep trouble.

I think the world has gone a bit mad but I do have mixed feelings on it. A nickname was often given due to some noticeable feature, be it tall, short, fat, thin, large nose/head eyes. The person called the given name would laugh along and accept it but deep down didn't often like it but had to go along with it as creating a fuss would target them more.

Bernardo is known as one of the nicest guys in the dressing room and is often on the receiving end of a lot of the banter. It is true also that if a white cartoon character bearing a resemblance to a white teammate was posted not a word would have been said. I can see though why that tweet wasn't wise and no matter if Mendy found it hilarious many wouldn't. Now if we all had courses on this stuff why aren't the players?

the thing is people are people and not robots ???
i total understand the racist hate and its so wrong, but what is also wrong is its a 2 way thing and then nobody is right, look pussy footing around in life is hard enough and if nicknames and banters is taken out of contest and used against somebody or somebody else does not like it or finds it racist then life is fucked up

being called a racist is not just a white over black issue and the key to understand it is how its used by everybody as a tool against others ??? yes its so so wrong to call somebody because of there skin or where they was born or come from and nobody can defend people who use racist remarks in there life. they are the ones who need locking up and need education lessons because they don't understand the harm they are doing to others

people are different its not just the colour of your skin ?? everybody is a individual like nobody else and when your views are questioned then you have to take a good hard look at yourself and if then your not learnt your lesson then its a criminal offence and the book and jail should be used to make you change ways

 

[jared]

I get all that mate,but unless Mendy complains,there is nothing to investigate,IMO.

I was hoping no action will be taken myself but apparently they are looking to investigate this.

So hoping now nothing like a ban or fine as stated in the article. Seems excessive

 

[SPIDERBOY]

I was hoping no action will be taken myself but apparently they are looking to investigate this.

So hoping now nothing like a ban or fine as stated in the article. Seems excessive

yeah,me too......just dont understand how there can be an investigation into something that mendy hasnt taken offence to.

 

[give it to gordon]

The first thing the bloke doing our equality and diversity course said 'the best way not to offend anyone is to just say good morning , good night'. I get called all sorts at work bald twat, to you manc knobhead etc etc no worse than what call them like soft sourthern twats etc etc it banter but if someone over hears and takes offence and reports us we are in trouble
Some bloke might be very sensitive about being bald so hearing me being called bald twat thinks its bullying and reports us .....

 

[hammocity]

Really ? This is a serious question ?

I'll answer in good faith although I feel this is part of a wind-up

Darren Anderton had shaggy hair

Is there anything about the cartoon figure that bears a resemblence to Mendy ? Apart from his skin colour ? Plus it's not surprising to learn that there have been many complaints about the cartoon character on it's own, let alone comparing someone else to it.

It's simply incredibly naive for someone of Bernardo's intelligence & profile to not realise that to keep making references to Mendy's colour (because he has done it before) is going to come back and kick you in the teeth. And yes, it's only possible to view that tweet as being a reference to Mendy's colour. Whereas the shaggy reference was to the chap's hair, not his skin colour. And yes Silva's post might have been acceptable in a whatsapp convo (though not by a footballer as there's too much chance someone makes it public) but this was on twitter .I thought players were educated in these areas and again, that makes it worse because he surely has been told to avoid potential controversy about these types of issues

Far too sensitive for me to get upset about.

 

[ganganvince]

yeah,me too......just dont understand how there can be an investigation into something that mendy hasnt taken offence to.

Because people have been offended on his behalf

 

[give it to gordon]

Perhaps Bernardo was still to giddy after his hat trick and wasnt thinking

 

[SPIDERBOY]

Because people have been offended on his behalf

well i'm offended that they are offended,lets see what happens now.

It's all bullshit mate,what next.....a Sterling selfie with his kids in McDonalds.....investigation as it's offended vegans.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Says it all about the state of this country when Mendy finds it funny, but the snowflakes are up in arms about it. The sooner the PC mob fuck off the better for me, absolutely ruining this country.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

I would hope for absolutely no punishment but a quick reminder to keep jokes like that private, but you never know with the wishy washy ****s that run this farce

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Bernardo is a nice man. Caring, hard worker, plays for his team and the fans, he really cares about people. You can see it when he is playing.

This racism thing is bullshit, we all know it.

But now he has to go through this trial by the media, the LFC loving reporters will be on to him and making the most out of it. He is going to get treated disgustingly.... No one cares about that, the damage that heavy accusations can do, they could ruin his career over a mistake but they don't give a shit..... What a fucking joke.

 

[paulchapo]

the thing is people are people and not robots ???
i total understand the racist hate and its so wrong, but what is also wrong is its a 2 way thing and then nobody is right, look pussy footing around in life is hard enough and if nicknames and banters is taken out of contest and used against somebody or somebody else does not like it or finds it racist then life is fucked up

being called a racist is not just a white over black issue and the key to understand it is how its used by everybody as a tool against others ??? yes its so so wrong to call somebody because of there skin or where they was born or come from and nobody can defend people who use racist remarks in there life. they are the ones who need locking up and need education lessons because they don't understand the harm they are doing to others

people are different its not just the colour of your skin ?? everybody is a individual like nobody else and when your views are questioned then you have to take a good hard look at yourself and if then your not learnt your lesson then its a criminal offence and the book and jail should be used to make you change ways

What tends to happen in life is if you keep lecturing people and banning stuff it leads to a backlash. People start to rebel. Society has made great strides in educating people on racism and why it is wrong and as we live in a multi cultural society even the most stupid person should understand that. It is the same as discrimination against people for their sexuality and beliefs. Live and let live is my motto and is for most people. The majority just want to pay the bills, make sure they and their family are okay and enjoy themselves. Problems arise when radicals start preaching and jumping on every single little thing. Rather than help the cause they are trying to protect it just annoys even moderate people and leads to a backlash. I saw some moron on tv recently saying there are over 100 different genders to identify with. Really? Personally I couldn't care less but it is ridiculous. So that is 100 people out there that could potentially be offended if someone mistakes them and doesn't recognise what they identity as. The world's gone mad.

 

[BosnianBlue]

We could do without that tweet. Saying that, I hope Mendy assists Bernardo at Everton and then two of them simulate fellatio for the cameras.

 

[Gazza]

I think we need to stop looking at it through blue-tinted spectacles, he did wrong, he meant no malice, but he did wrong. If it was a United or Liverpool player we'd be calling for a ban. It was probably done in naivety as a light hearted joke and Mendy has probably done the same back to Bernado at some stage but you've got to be so damn careful nowadays.