When are we going to stop racism? Perhaps we have a fighting chance when we are truly outraged by it. At the recent Blue Jays game in Toronto, the outrage directed at the alleged beer can slinger from the public, organizers and even the police was intense. And perhaps rightly so. Hurling a metal object onto the playing field is contrary to a number of accepted Canadian values including civility.
But where was the outrage against the racist remarks heard by spectators and ushers directed at the visiting team? A CBC reporter taking in the game documented the remarks. A few fans who heard the remarks tweeted their disappointment. But apparently no one was outraged enough to apply the rules to remove fans who were being abusive. While Twitter accounts were jumping with calls for the beer can slinger's arrest, the racist remarks went unnoticed in comparison.
Racism keeps raising its ugly head in sports. Take the case of a CFL player who was warned about anti-Semitic postings on his Twitter feed. A quick look at more recent tweets shows that he continues to post. Are you outraged? Will there be a united call to confront this kind of hatred so authorities take it seriously enough to take action? Surely it is important given how such players are role models for their fans, especially youth. Yes, let’s be outraged.
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Anita Bromberg