MARV: IN USA IT’S NOT SAFE TO BE BLACK
Spiders go for Grant No.2
MARVIN BARTLEY admitted he wouldn’t set foot in the USA as the country is gripped in turmoil following the killing of George Floyd.
The incident sparked the biggest protests in America since the 1960s, with the spotlight on police brutality toward the black community.
The Livingston midfielder is adamant he wouldn’t travel there as a tourist or a footballer.
Bartley, who has been the target of racial abuse while playing in the past, said: “It’s been extremely hard to watch.
“There have been a lot of videos flying around and I haven’t been able to watch any video all the way through.
“As a black man and seeing people in America being treated a certain way because of the colour of their skin it’s deeply distressing.
“There’s a lot of things about me that I can change – my attitude, my workrate and things like that.
“But I can’t change the colour of my skin. Marvin Bartley was born a black man.
“All those people were born this colour so why are they being treated this way
CLYDE midfielder Ray Grant could team up with his brother Peter at Queen’s Park when the coronavirus crisis is over.
Preliminary talks have taken place between Spiders boss Ray McKinnon and Grant’s agent.
The League Two outfit have gone full-time and would be an attractive
BY ROSS PILCHER in 2020? Seeing people lose their lives is alarming.
“Just to leave your house and not know if you’ll come home, not because you’re a bad person or are breaking the law but because you’re black, it’s something I never thought would be going on in this day and age.
“I spoke to my family about this and said how sad it was that I wouldn’t go to America at this moment in time.
“I wouldn’t go there on holiday, I wouldn’t go there for a work opportunity, I just wouldn’t do it because I don’t feel that I would be safe there, just because I’m a black person. I really wouldn’t do it.
“I’d be constantly worried. Is something going to happen to me? I wouldn’t be comfortable at all.”
Players and clubs from across the SPFL took part in a social media blackout this week in response to events across the pond.
Bartley said of the global social media response: “If that’s educated one person, if it’s sparked up one conversation, then it’s done its job. It’s everyone against racism.” move for ex-Norwich City man Grant, 23.
McKinnon said: “It is not a surprise that a link has been made because Ray’s older brother plays here.
“There has been a chat with Ray’s representative but there is nothing we can do about signing anyone until there is a definite route forward for football.”