That bloke from the Fast and Furious died. No applause for him. Where do you draw the line.
Same here, it's fair to say much of the applause was lukewarm and unenthusiastic.
That bloke from the Fast and Furious died. No applause for him. Where do you draw the line.
What's it got to do with football?
I'm reminded of this book. Worth putting on the reading list this Christmas...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Than-Just-Game-Apartheid/dp/0007302991
Some people on here are acting as if they are having to give extra money to do this. It's one minute to respect one of the greatest political figures in the 20th century. Grow up.
This.
Some people on here are acting as if they are having to give extra money to do this. It's one minute to respect one of the greatest political figures in the 20th century. Grow up.
The mere fact that the debate about yesterday's tribute is drawing out stories of how the anti-apartheid struggle overlapped with things that matter to us is justification for the minute spent clapping.Great post, no doubt the football connection will be disputed on here still.
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The most important football story ever told.
`It is amazing to think that a game that people take for granted all around the world, was the very same game that gave a group of prisoners sanity – and in a way, gave us the resolve to carry on the struggle'. Anthony Suze, Robben Island Prisoner.
This is the astonishing story of a unique group of political prisoners and freedom fighters who found a sense of dignity in one of the ugliest hellholes on Earth: South Africa’s infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was famously incarderated. Despite all odds and regular torture, beatings and daily backbreaking hard labour, these extraordinary men turned soccer into an active force in the struggle for freedom.
For nearly 20 years, these prisoners found the energy, spirit and resolve to organise a 1400 prisoner-strong, eight club football league which was played with strict adherance to FIFA rules.
The prisoners themselves represented a broad array of political beliefs and backgrounds, yet football became an impassioned and unified symbol of resistance against apartheid. They refused to let their own political differences sway their devotion to the sport, which allowed them to organise and maintain leadership right under the noses of their captors.
This league not only provided sanctuary and respite from the prisoners’ cruel surroundings, it kept their minds active and many credit it with keeping them alive. More Than Just a Game chronicles their story, the politics of the time, the extraordinary characters, their heroism and the thrilling matches themselves.
The mere fact that the debate about yesterday's tribute is drawing out stories of how the anti-apartheid struggle overlapped with things that matter to us is justification for the minute spent clapping.
Yes ... it was relevant to football. And it was relevant to England, Sussex and Brighton too - although I accept that not everyone may know this. I do, by virtue of the fact that I was privileged to be a student at Sussex University's School of African and Asian Studies back in the sixties, where I shared accommodation with a number of fellow students who were "banned" back home in South Africa.
Apologies if someone has already written this as tbh I haven't the time to read all 10 pages, but how do those who "don't want to be told" how to show their respect feel about the minutes' silence on Remembrance weekend? We had a massive thread on here PRAISING everything that was organised that day. I am aware it's perhaps more directly linked to this country, but it's the same principle/argument surely?
Apologies if someone has already written this as tbh I haven't the time to read all 10 pages, but how do those who "don't want to be told" how to show their respect feel about the minutes' silence on Remembrance weekend? We had a massive thread on here PRAISING everything that was organised that day. I am aware it's perhaps more directly linked to this country, but it's the same principle/argument surely?
It is indeed exactly the same principle/argument and, as I indicated in earlier posts, personally I don't agree with those being held at football matches either. People should go to their local ceremony/service if they wish to show their respects as that is far more meaningful. If I was ever asked to stand for a round of applause for 'Our Brave Boys' at a football match I would decline. I do however respect silences and on Rememberance Sunday I take the opportunity to think of all the innocent victims of war the world over, not just Commonwealth armed forces.
If I choose to attend a Rememberence Day service, which incidentally I did, it is of my own choice. When I am at The Amex and the Football League instruct clubs to hold a minutes applause many people will feel little choice but to join in, especially if they are concerned about being seen to be disrespectful.