When you’re happy you enjoy the music, when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics
When you’re happy you enjoy the music, when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics – the duality of supporting the England football team The decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final had no sooner been saved than the overwhelming majority of black and ethnic minority people knew what was to come. The subsequent waves of racism and hate were neither surprising in tone nor in the fact that much of it originated from apparently ‘decent’ people who would conceive of themselves as ‘not having a single racist bone in their body’. This latent, but frequently palpable, xenophobia is something ethnic minority people are very attuned to, and familiar with. It is what makes many uncomfortable about waving flags of St George or unconditionally cheering the team: the transition from ‘English star’ to ‘winger of Nigerian parents’ is quickly made in the media. What made ethnic minority people more openly supporting of the national team this time was the inclusive and brave leadership of Gareth South