Batson: Tackle racism now as tension is rising
BRENDON BATSON fears there is growing unrest among the black community at the lack of action being taken to combat racism and inequality.
The former deputy chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association says that tension is ‘bubbling’ under the surface and has urged the Government to take decisive steps to stop it rising.
Batson was speaking ahead of the release of a new film: ‘Standing Firm, Football’s Windrush story,’ which details the level of abuse suffered by the first black professionals to play football in this country.
The former Arsenal trainee (below), who made his name at West Brom alongside fellow trailblazers Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham in the early 80s, were regular targets.
And Batson, now 68, is warning that the current generation may not be as patient as his was.
Asked what message he wanted the film to convey, he said: “There are times when I think nothing has changed from when I was playing.
“But telling the story of that shared journey, of what we went through, can help. It shows there is a way through.
“In one respect, I hate talking about this because it’s old school. But then you realise the current generation are still talking about the same problems that we were.
“Yes, we have moved on from having bananas thrown at us.
“But in other respects, nothing has changed. I went to some protest marches in Birmingham and spoke with the young people there.
“They were from all different backgrounds.
“They were protesting about inequality and discrimination – it made me quite emotional because it took me back in time and reminded me how I felt. But I do sense there is huge frustration among the young black population.
“They are impatient. They are not going to be as patient as generations that have gone before.
“I’m not saying that to be all doom and gloom but I think things are bubbling under.
“It is similar to what happened in the 80s with riots in places such as Handsworth and Tottenham. There’s been a change of atmosphere.”
Batson was scathing in his condemnation of politicians.
He described Tyrone Mings’ public put-down of Home Secretary Priti Patel ‘the best tackle of the summer,’ and called for social media companies to be taxed until they find solutions to the torrent of abuse that is routinely generated on their platforms.
He said: “Politicians have
to lead the way. They haven’t been. Sportspeople have. Marcus Rashford showed them up, he turned around the Government’s policy on free school meals.
“We need more action, particularly in the area of social media.
“For instance, back in the day, the black players at West Brom might receive an abusive letter. We would pin it to our notice-boards. Inside the dressing room, it was a source of banter. But it was still abuse.
“Social media has emboldened people. We know the more controversy on these platforms, the greater the number of eyes and the bigger the advertising take is.
“But these are hate crimes. And politicians must be able to control these companies.
“They need to hit these companies where it hurts because otherwise nothing is going to change.
“We need politicians to lead the way. They’re there to lead. They have to do better.”