Bernardo Silva tweet controversy

[dronefromsector7G]

A Chelsea fan lecturing others about racist behaviour.

The irony.

What a fucking stupid post

 

[nickamon]

If opposition fans had a banner raised with that picture on there targeting one of our players during a game, would any of you have a problem with it? I know I would. I don't believe Bernardo is a racist, but for goodness sake, in today's climate, it is simply irresponsible. Like it or not, footballers are global celebrities and a lot of kids look up to them. That kind of banter should be done in private if not at all. Even in private, such jokes are made and the target often laughs ostensibly but deep down, it can be hurtful. Racism has a painful history to some of us and such comments in light of the challenges we are still facing with this issue in society, is simply irresponsible and inconsiderate at best.

 

[nickamon]

Can anyone please tell me how this is racist? Sure it wasn't the smoothest of posts, but it's deleted and there shouldn't be any fuzz about it.

If Mangala compared De Bruyne with Tintin wearing lipstick, would that also be racist? No, it would 'be fun'.

It is not the same thing. History matters.

 

[roy.or.r]

If opposition fans had a banner raised with that picture on there targeting one of our players during a game, would any of you have a problem with it? I know I would. I don't believe Bernardo is a racist, but for goodness sake, in today's climate, it is simply irresponsible. Like it or not, footballers are global celebrities and a lot of kids look up to them. That kind of banter should be done in private if not at all. Even in private, such jokes are made and the target often laughs ostensibly but deep down, it can be hurtful. Racism has a painful history to some of us and such comments in light of the challenges we are still facing with this issue in society, is simply irresponsible and inconsiderate at best.

This.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Can anyone please tell me how this is racist? Sure it wasn't the smoothest of posts, but it's deleted and there shouldn't be any fuzz about it.

If Mangala compared De Bruyne with Tintin wearing lipstick, would that also be racist? No, it would 'be fun'.

But but, you can't be racist towards white people.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I understand why people would find it offensive, I believe Bernardo was naive, I also believe he'll be mortified by the subsequent reaction.

I have a question though. If Mbappe, for example, had tweeted/posted this would it still be deemed offensive?

African Americans call each other the n-word all the time. It's only a problem when a white person does it. But you do get black people who have an issue with the word even when a black person says it. I hope that answers your question.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Not every Chelsea fan is racist.

No, but they have been one of the very worst for racist behaviour down the years,

 

[Brightwell’s left peg]

Why? So you are saying to deal with racist comments now. It's you who is talking bullshit IMO. No one here is saying that Silva is racist but he is really dumb to post comments and videos like that on a public media. If you don't want to deal with others getting offended, then don't make racist comments. Doesn't matter if it is ill-intended or not.

Not sure what “So you are saying to deal with racist comments now“ means Roy?

As for getting offended, are you offended on my behalf that someone accused me of being racist? Some people might find that offensive. So, are you offended for me or not?

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Yes, but since we're in the work place, I don't really have to put up with listening to racially abusive language, so if it happened again, I'd probably report it. I really don't think I'm saying anything remotely controversial here.

If we were at bar somewhere, I wouldn't even bother confronting that person. I'd walk away.

Unfortunately, a large demographic of the most vocal part of this forum doesn't want to hear it because they've already got an idea of who you are and how they act in their head. It frees them up from the burden of nuance and lets them crack on with the belittling.

It's also worth mentioning that some people clearly need to learn that the definition of racism isn't subjective. What Bernardo posted was a racist joke regardless of the fact that he didn't mean any harm.

You can't just wish away racist behaviour because you see it as a dirty word and like the bloke in question.

 

[Vialli98]

Ok fair point, I’m being a **** here but I just don’t get the whole offended thing. This Twitter thing people being offended but...so what? What does it do? Why should anyone else bother if someone found something offensive? 10 years from now, it’s going to be a case of Human 37463 meets Human 83836 “Hello”, “Hello”, “thank you”, “and you”. The end. MEH

People on twitter are just people reacting to something that has happened in the public domain with their own opinions. I reject calls for Silva to be suspended or fined and labelling him a racist, but other than that, it's just what people think.

 

[paulchapo]

People are trying to be a bit too cute and play devil's advocate here or acting stupid. Look I am an old bastard and I know if I tweet certain things I will be pulled up on it and/or reported and if I am in work risk losing my job because of it. People may cry, "But it's only a joke, me and my friends are not offended!" Tough shit. Anyone in a workplace and definitely anyone under 40 will have been educated on this shit and know the risks. If not go and educate yourselves or post something similar and test the water, see how far your boat sails before someone puts a fucking big torpedo straight through it.

 

[roy.or.r]

Not sure what “So you are saying to deal with racist comments now“ means Roy?

As for getting offended, are you offended on my behalf that someone accused me of being racist? Some people might find that offensive. So, are you offended for me or not?

If someone calls you racist for no reason, then ofcourse I would be offended. I have white friends who were called racists because of the way they spoke to me and it pissed me off. But I also understood that someone of my color has the right to get offended because of the things they heard.
BTW, no one here has said Silva is racist. People are saying he is just dumb to post it on twitter. So not sure why you are pulling up racism here.

 

[Franny's toilet roll]

I think he did fuck all wrong , there's a white m&m cartoon character , so if Mendy had compared that to Bernardo when he was a bald headed baby would anything have beesaid?. I'm all for stamping out racism, but this is way over the top . Calls for him to be re educated are part of the current trend to analise every minutae of society and find offence where there is none and then treat wrong doers to a dose of brain washing shite. Would be surprised if the medi story is being pushed by certain football fan bases trying to divert attention rom there own issues. Did Mendy say anything? No it was just a funny picture of a sweet looking like he did as a kid . There's been more furore over this tweet than the whole Sterling hate campaign. Stinks a bit to me, kinda like , shut the fuck up City you've got racists to sort in your own club . KippaxOldBollocks is just on a wind up

 

[TINY]

People on twitter are just people reacting to something that has happened in the public domain with their own opinions. I reject calls for Silva to be suspended or fined and labelling him a racist, but other than that, it's just what people think.

But those thoughts, in today’s age create an unnecessary outrage because they’re offended and we’re all so scared at offending people even though nothing actually happens when you’re offended. If people remained offended and BSilva kept his tweet up and told everyone, “ok” at being offended the entire planet would be outraged but...why

 

[ChicagoBlue]

People on twitter are just people reacting to something that has happened in the public domain with their own opinions. I reject calls for Silva to be suspended or fined and labelling him a racist, but other than that, it's just what people think.

You should watch that Ronson TED Talk video.

 

[Strike]

It is not the same thing. History matters.

Move on.
Seriously, we have to be able to make distinctions between an innocent joke and actual racism. Chelsea-fans shouting the n-word at Sterling – THAT is a real problem, this isn't. But unfortunately politically correct people will always exist in this crazy world and will continue to make a big deal out of just about anything.

 

[oakiecokie]

We need to act quickly.

And how do you know we havn`t ?

 

[manimanc]

When was the last time a black or Asian person got done for being racist towards a white person? I'm sure some statto will throw a load of stories in the mix.
But just as a side note if a black or Asian person called me a white so and so or the milky bar kid my first thought wouldn't be throw the racist card at them, I'd probably start laughing.
In a society where its all equality and every race, colour and creed gets treated exactly the same then why are there never stories of white people getting racially abused?

 

[Silvatoure21]

Oh right, so now I’m a racist.

Some people who aren’t racist in any way shape or form might take offence at that accusation.

I’ll just tell you to Fu#k off instead

Exactly, there is fine line between a racially insensitive tweet and racial abuse. Racial abuse is as serious as it gets, but a joke is a joke. He should watch the Dave Chappelle special to figure out the difference between jokes and real racism. I said before, I’m hispanic, I hear insensitive jokes all the time because I don’t look like a typical hispanic and by my own buddies that are giving me shit. Do I report every one, lol, no, I report nothing. These people are just telling dumb jokes, but I know most aren’t inherently racist, nobody is abusing me or preventing me from accomplishing my goals, so I laugh it off and move on. Hell I laugh at stereotypes because there is truth in stereotypes, I love tacos and I find it weirdly cathartic when I mow my lawn and garden. This world needs more laughter, and less sticks up asses, we all have funny idiosyncrasies. Big deal

 

[Tugay One Cup]

False equivalence is a bigot's laziest defence.