The ‘stay in your lane’ culture
sanctions against the easily identified miscreants. Most well-thinking fans would think that his insistence on reporting and following up on an obvious wrong would garner the support of other footballers of colour who have similar experiences. But alas and alack, very few of his fellow professionals have come out in support.
‘Stay in your lane’ is robbing society of a sustained action against a regular feature of football in England and Europe – racism that needs urgent and sustained action. The question, therefore, is, why are sporting ‘role models’ revered and praised for their demeanour on and off the field, but the moment they complain or try to bring attention to obvious societal wrongs or illegal/immoral behaviour, they find that they are on their own? Why? When will society and sport fans understand that sport stars have a responsibility because of their popularity to do whatever is in their power to effect change? What would be our response here in Jamaica if Alia and Khadija join the minister of sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, in highlighting the effect of the abuse of women, which is now reaching catastrophic proportions? Would they be told to stay in their lane, or would we see women of every rank in society unite to educate and assist women who are in abusive relationships to know that there is support, they are not alone, and help is but a call away. We must encourage our sport stars and heroes to speak up and come outside of their lane on some of the obvious ills that we face in society. Their support is needed and vital.