Politics and Football

[Rhyfelwyr]

Do they dislike the poppy for their idea of Imperialism? If so they are very misguided.

Yes, pretty much, they are quite into Marxism. In a way I respect their views, if you think about it an Irish person is probably not going to want to wear the poppy.

This raises an interesting point though actively trying to inculcate some kind of middle class ethic in these people will fail until they actually ye know become middle class an all.

You hit the nail on the head with the class dynamic. I remember reading on another forum where a Northern Irish Catholic explained their poppy situation, he was very critical of the middle-class Alliance-supporting Catholics who wear it to be pc.

The thing is here in Scotland the class dynamic is heavily tied to national identity. Scottish nationalism is very much for the middle-classes, it makes them feel warm and fuzzy when they think they have a quaint little culture and get to read nice poetry they don't understand, plus there is a bit of snobby-style xenophobia towards the English. Instead of going the "we are all the same route", I prefer the more open but in a way more respectful xenophobia of the Rangers/Celtic fans - just accept we are different, there are good reasons why we are different.

Reminds me of what one Orangeman said regarding a republican parade that was held in Glasgow, which caused some controversy since people walked around waving flags associated with the IRA and wearing paramilitary uniforms. He didn't get all righteous and try to restrict their freedoms, he just said "They have our parades and we have ours".

How much more respectful can you be?

[al Roumi]

To say "lets keep politics out of football" is silly, it's not as political as it used to be maybe, but it has been a force in politics and vice versa.

That said, I'm with Beskar in questioning whether the anti-racism campaign is political though. It's a social campaign -more like "quit smoking" than "vote for x" IMO. The campaign is not saying "don't vote BNP" after all.

[InsaneApache]

if you think about it an Irish person is probably not going to want to wear the poppy.

Why on earth not?