good reply to greens "bigotry" nonsense on cybertims

[tonybhoy]

Don't Feed the Animals Charles

I read Charles Green’s comments in the paper this morning and felt it could not be allowed to pass without comment. Mr Green stated in relation to Newco-Rangers demotion to the third Division…’ "Some of it has been driven by bigotry, some of its been driven by jealousy and some of its been driven by all the wrong motives." Mr Green is canny enough to know that his choice of the word ‘Bigotry’ will raise a few eyebrows in Scotland.

I have been told that I ramble a bit but bear with me as I set the context for my retort to this arrant nonsense. Professors Jim Sidanius and Felicia Pratto first described what they called ‘Social Dominance Theory’ back in 1992. This theory argues that ‘dominant’ groups in society will create legitimizing myths to provide moral and intellectual justification for their claim to hold a dominant position over other groups. This ‘justifies’ among other things, discrimination in the workplace and discriminatory hiring practices. We see this in all societies where colour, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion, are used as yardsticks to actively discriminate against given groups. The legitimising myths are usually built around the target group being viewed as less intelligent, socially backward, more likely to be criminal or immoral. We can point to the experience of African Americans or Jews in certain times and places as clear examples of groups suffering from ‘legitimising myths.’ Here in Scotland, the experience of the Irish Catholic community would suggest that they too have had a taste of this mythology. In certain circles, mostly those who feel they are or should be the dominant group in this society, Irish Catholics and their offspring have been variously described as Socially backwards, terrorist sympathisers, paedophiles, traitors, dirty, work shy, superstitious, ignorant, tramps, etc. Historically they have had limited opportunities in certain work places as the dominant group discriminated against them, fortified by these myths. This has eased greatly as indigenous Scottish industry has faded and English based or multi-national companies with no agenda set up here. The arrival of John Ure-Primrose as Chairman of Rangers (IL) in 1912 changed the club for the worse. Primrose was an outspoken anti-Catholic bigot who pledged Rangers (IL) to the ‘Masonic Cause’ and began to actively discriminate against them at Ibrox. Despite a few ‘secret Catholics’ sneaking through the net, this policy remained in place until 1989 when my former school mate Maurice Johnston joined Rangers (IL). The policy wasn’t changed because the bigots had a change of heart, it changed because Rangers were failing on the field and bringing shame to Scotland off it. The hitherto docile media were also finally beginning to question the disgraceful songs and practices at Ibrox. As we all know Rangers (IL) collapsed in 2012 amid a welter of debt, tax avoidance and accusations of cheating on a grand scale. Charles Green, a bluff Yorkshire man, took over the assets of the soon to be liquidated club and re-launched Sevco in the Scottish Third Division. Green hopes to lay claim to the Rangers (IL) heritage and support as well as its place in Scottish football and in doing so accepts certain sanctions are inevitable. His Manager, Ally McCoist has already demonstrated a degree of ignorance which is at once disturbing and breath-taking. He mistakes the consequences of the old club dying (Newco starting in Division 3, players allowed to leave, no Euro spot, etc.) with sanctions applied by the footballing authorities. This feeds the growing feeling of paranoia among Rangers-Newco fans who growl that everyone is ‘kicking them when they are down.’ McCoist demanded the 'outing' of members of the disciplinary tribunial who found against his club, I hope he now demands the 'bigots' be named too as this will demonstrate once and for all that he has lost the plot. Green watched his Newco eleven struggle to beat Brechin City yesterday and unless he was deaf would have heard all the old songs of hate which so tarnished the reputation of the old Rangers (IL) and indeed Scottish football. Police in Brechin are studying video footage to ascertain who was responsible for sectarian comments clearly heard on BBC Alba who were covering the game. He follows this up with the astonishing statement that ‘Bigotry and Jealousy’ were behind some of the football authorities’ decisions regarding his Newco. Just as the sign at Edinburgh Zoo advises visitors ‘Do Not Feed The Animals,’ Green knows this his comments will feed the growing feelings of anger and victimhood among Newco fans. He is not a stupid man, by building this ‘They’re all against us’ feeling he no doubt hopes to sell more season tickets as the fans rally to the beleaguered Club’s cause. There is no doubt that many in Scotland, and not just Celtic fans, hold Rangers in contempt. This dislike is based on decades of sectarian practices and behaviour and a triumphalist attitude among ‘Rapeepo.’ However to say that decisions made by the SFA, SPL and SFL are a result of ‘Bigotry’ is patent nonsense. Bigotry by whom Charles? Let’s not forget who practiced a disgraceful apartheid regime in Scottish football for almost 70 years. The Chairmen who voted against you were pretty unanimous and few of them could be called ‘Celtic minded.’ Even the SFA Chairman is a former Rangers(IL) Board Member and EBT recipient! The reality is that Rangers(IL) brought the house of cards down and no Chairmen were prepared to swallow the unsporting and clearly immoral proposition to accommodate a new club in the top flight of Scottish football. The same applied to the SFL Chairmen who voted Newco into Division 3. Let’s not confuse bigotry with justice Charles, Newco are lucky to be getting into the league ahead of clubs like Spartans. Your claims of bigotry against the Newco panders to the lowest common denominator among the Newco fan base. It is dangerous to feed feelings of injustice and ill treatment into the small minds of those who so recently were stunned to find that they weren’t the ‘People’ after all but just followers of a disgraced and soon to be dead football club. The growing sense of anger and resentment is almost palpable among the Newco support and we all know what can happen when that boils over. I’d choose your words more carefully in future Mr Green. Some of the fans who will attach themselves to your Newco Club have yet to join the rest of us in the 21^st Century.

Tirnaog

[asm1]

very good reply indeed.

[Iain]

Green is a COCK!

[tamthetim]

Liked Lennons reply.