Racism exists everywhere.
Even when people gather to watch 22 men chase a ball and have fun, racists feel the need to degrade players of colour.
If you’re a football fan, you’d know that football has a serious problem with racists.
Players of colour are often abused not just by some of the stupid fans in the stadium, but even by reporters.
Have a look at this headline from an Italian sports newspaper, for instance.
Yes, just before a game between Italians teams Roma and AC Milan, the Italian Daily ran an article featuring an image of two black players with the headline “Black Friday”.
Thankfully, the Italian league, the Serie A, has promised to tackle Italian football’s serious racism problem with a campaign involving ‘No To Racism’ posters…
Reader: Wow, it’s great that they’re taking the initiative to-
… featuring monkeys.
Reader: Why am I not surprised?
Italian Football League Uses Monkeys In Anti-Racism Posters
The Serie A has used images of monkeys in an anti-racism campaign less than three weeks after its clubs pledged to combat racism in its league.
The ‘No To Racism’ posters show three monkeys with painted faces.
Surely, they can see how absurd and offensive this is.
This would be a bit like creating posters with the caption “No To Domestic Violence” with a picture of Chris Brown.
The monkey artwork will be displayed at Serie A headquarters in Milan.
But why is it offensive?
If you’ve never experienced racism or seen others go through it, you may not know why it’s so offensive to compare black people to monkeys.
Apes and monkeys have always been viewed as less evolved, primitive beings. Throughout history, black people have been portrayed in the same way in an attempt to degrade them and justify treating them as second-class citizens or even using them as slaves.
So, whenever someone compares a black person to a monkey or ape, it’s incredibly vile because there are so much historical hatred and prejudice behind the insult. It’s the same reason why we don’t use the N-word.
Criticism of posters
Many, understandably, criticised the anti-racism posters, with one calling it a “sick joke”.
“Once again Italian football leaves the world speechless. It is difficult to see what Serie A was thinking, who did they consult?” said anti-discriminatory body Fare.
“In a country in which the authorities fail to deal with racism week after week, Serie A has launched a campaign that looks like a sick joke.”
“These creations are an outrage; they will be counter-productive and continue the dehumanisation of people of African heritage.”
Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out added: “Serie A’s use of monkeys in their anti-racism campaign is completely inappropriate, undermines any positive intent and will be counter-productive.”
“We hope that the league reviews and replaces their campaign graphics.”
Artist response
The artist who created the posters defended them, saying he always uses monkeys in his work.
“I decided to portray monkeys to talk about racism because they are the metaphor for human beings. Last year I was at the stadium to see Inter v Napoli and I felt humiliated, everyone was shouting ‘monkey’ at Koulibaly, a player I respect.
“I’ve always been painting monkeys for five to six years, so I thought I’d make this work to teach that we’re all apes, I made the western monkey with blue and white eyes, the Asian monkey with almond-shaped eyes and the black monkey positioned in the centre, where everything comes from.”
“The monkey becomes the spark to teach everyone that there is no difference, there is no man or monkey, we are all alike. If anything, we are all monkeys.”
I can see where he’s coming from, but anyone with a brain would know that using monkeys for an anti-racism poster is inappropriate and offensive.
The Serie A certainly has a long way to go because, as European football expert James Horncastle said, “faith in the league is sub-zero”, at this point.
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