| Demarcus Beasley experiences racism/terrorism in Scotland Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:19:00 +0000 Demarcus Beasley a member of the US men’s Olympic soccer team and a member of the Glasgow Rangers soccer team in Scotland car was firebombed outside of his home on the 3rd of February, 2010. Beasley who is Black has been a victim of racial abuse while playing soccer in the Netherlands professionally. In fact, Beasley’s fellow teammate Marcus Edu who is also American born and Black was subjected to racial taunts after a football game by his own fans after a losing a game in December. According to news outlets in Europe Beasley, who saw the aftermath through his window, used his Twitter site to thank supporters for the kind words of support and encouragement and attempted to take the edge off the matter by joking about being in the market for a new car! While I praise Beasley for his god given soccer talents, professionalism, bravery and service to his country and for his willingness to deal with bigotry and intolerance by finding humor in a harrowing experience (having your car firebombed by hooligans) this incident is no laughing matter. When pressed about the incident regarding his car Beasley declined to speak on the matter. I have nothing for the utmost respect for Beasley and the various soccer players such as Mario Balotelli, Didier Drogba, Samuel Ot’to and countless players who have had to deal with such uncivilized and barbaric behavior but for the record I have a couple of comments on the matter the Beasley incident. Beasley’s car getting firebombed is nothing short of terrorism! The perpetrators of this crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and should be treated like terrorism suspects. In my opinion it doesn’t matter if you are a homegrown terrorist or foreign born terrorist. Terrorism is terrorism. Let’s call things for what they are. It is a pity that people behave this way in the 21st century. If my memory serves me correct Scotland is the birthplace of golf. England and the United Kingdom pride itself on manners and civilized conduct. The authorities have condemned this incident by labeling it as "disturbing and deplorable.” In fact, I find this incident so disturbing that I am going to personally write the United States Congressional Soccer Caucus to ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to increase awareness of racism/terrorism in soccer toward US and foreign born footballers in Europe and to ensure the safety of professional American athletes abroad.  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2010/02/demarcus-beasley-experiences.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| Kicking It Journal entry Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:56:00 +0000 It seems that I find things when I am not looking for them, in this case a little more encouragement to see this project through fruition. Lately, I have spent so much time wallowing in self-doubt I forget that there are people out there in the world who cares about the same things that I do (fighting racism). It is hard asking people for support for a cause you strongly believe in because do not share the same passion as you do. Despite my struggles and self-doubts the struggle must go on. Fighting racism is a life long mission of mine so I will continue to deal with the many trials I am sure to encounter on my journey and embrace the personal and collective triumphs that come my way. I just received an e-mail message from Garrett through face book asking me to join the Show Racism The Red Card organization (Ireland). I have not heard from dude since our initial conversation in May. I will never forget how big of an impact Garrett left on me after our initial hour-long conversation! I was happy to know that he felt that the Irish struggle for Independence in Northern Ireland against the British and the Black American struggle for Civil Rights were very similar. Both of us agreed that violence was not a viable solution to deal with this existing conflict in Northern Ireland or anywhere for that matter. Another reason that I feel such a strong connection to Irish people living in Northern Ireland is because of the parallels between the hundreds of young Black youth who have lost their lives to violent gang turf wars in places like Chicago and various large cities across the United States during the 1980’s and the numbers of Irish people who have lost their lives during the conflict between the Catholics and Protestants. When I feel down and out for not making as much progress on my project I think about my initial discussion with Garrett to lift my spirits up! He was very helpful and offered me some much needed advice and information to assist me in my quest for completing my film on fighting racism on and off the pitch. He has informed me that it took three days for a hundred people to join our organization. Garrett also wants everyone to spread the word about our group. I have no problem in spreading the good news that I have just received from my brother from another mother! I have made plans on the past to visit Garrett and various anti racism soccer based organizations in the United Kingdom but things have not panned out the way that I would have liked them to. I guess practice and perseverance makes perfect. I am hoping that I will be able to make arrangements to my fellow kindred spirits during Christmas holiday. We’ll have to see. Please go on facebook.com, look up our group Show Racism The Red Card (Ireland) and join our cause to fight racism and bigotry. Thanks.  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/kicking-it-journal-entry.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| Brits protest BBC's decision to interview BNP Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +0000  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/brits-protest-bbcs-decision-to.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| American soccer player acuses(Scotland) Ranger soccer fans of racial taunts Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:18:00 +0000 This article has just been sent to me by my buddy from Chicago: American soccer player Edu: makes racism claim on his Twitter page against his own fans! United States midfielder Edu, 23, says he was targeted by his own club's supporters as he left the stadium. According to the article that I read Edu expressed on twitter that he was not sure which hurt more: his team losing 4-1 or being racially abused by his own fans after a dissappointing loss. If I had an opportunity to meet with Edu; I am sure that I could assist him in making up his mind. I hate the idea of losing but it infuriates me to be subjected to racist abuse or treatment. All of us have experience losing and as much as it hurts it eventually goes away but racial abuse never goes away because the scars are hidden and deep. It boggles my mind that Edu was not able to determine that experiencing racist abuse was more painful than losing a soccer game. I am confident that racial abuse experienced by Edu would have hurt the same if it had of come from fans the rival team. As a American it saddens me that more of my fellow Black Americans are not in touch with the racist abuse experienced by others in distant lands. Many people in the Black American community are still experiencing euphoria over Barack Obama's presidency but how far have we come if we can't follow in the steps of heroes like Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King. What good does it do for people to talk change if they are not willing to bring about the necessary change? While fighting for the rights for Blacks in America these individuals realized the importance of advocating for all of humanity. In the ever changing global economy it is more important than ever to champion our cause by working together with other groups who have been victimized by racial abuse. By tolerating Rangers fans in the past to make racist remarks towards the Irish; the Rangers Supporters Trusts in a sense given their fans free range engage in racist behavior! I give tons of props for the fact that Supporters trust for addressing this problem. I'm sure that racism at soccer stadiums would halt if their fans were prevented from seeing two or three games!  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/american-soccer-player-rangers-soccer.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| BNP members states that towards Ashley Cole is not ethnically British Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000 After working with kids all day it is safe enough to say that I am mentally exhausted. Right now I would rather be sitting down drinking a nice cold drink, reading a good book and relaxing but the likes of Nick Griffin who feels that he has to 'defend rights for whites with well-directed boots and fists'," I will have to remain vigilant. It is unfortunate that people are not intelligent enough to realize that these individuals are using race and color to achieve power and respectability. Several days ago I was browsing online for information on the BNP and I ran across an article where several high ranking members of the BNP made disparaging remarks about world class footballer Ashley Cole, the Chelsea and England footballer who is Black. During the two minute interview several BNP members spoke of Cole was not ethnically British and spoke of him "coming to this country" despite being born in London England. I do not fault anyone who takes pride in their cultural heritage. I think that is is great that we can appreciate our heritage while embracing the differences of various cultures. I am pissed off by the fact that members of the BNP does not think of Cole of ethnically British. It is funny how organizations like the BNP forget the fact how much non white cultures contributed to the overall economic prosperity of the United Kingdom for hundreds of years. People like the BNP fail to forget that the rise of the British Pound was made possible by non-whites during the trans-atlantic slave trade, British occupation of India and the Opium Wars against China. I am not crying over spilled milk and trying to belittle the United Kingdom in anyway. In fact, the United Kingdom is one of the best countries in the world! I think it is ridiculous that organizations are trying to 'defend the rights of whites against non whites who gave their blood sweat and tears to make England and the United Kingdom a great place. Ethnically British? What should an individual's ethnicity matter in the first place? This form of logic makes no sense to me. The more I think about it I think the individuals who made these disparaging remarks about Ashley Cole and his wife are actually jealous of his success. Think about it. Ashley Cole is a very gifted human being who makes millions of dollars doing what he loves best, playing soccer. He is adored by millions of adoring fans around the globe. Cole is living his dream. Ashley spent countless of hours sacrificing his free time honing his skills to become one of the best footballers in the world. Very few people actually live out their dreams of doing what they love best. The likes of the BNP are extremely jealous of Cole and people like them because they feel that non white people do not deserve to make more money than them. In fact, Cole is not taking a job from an average Briton because his skills are exceptional and he can do something that most of us can not do; playing professional football for perhaps the best soccer league in the world! The BNP can only exist because these individuals in this organization too lazy to compete in the global economy. These individuals are looking for an easy hustle. The days of depending on making a living solely because of having a superior economic status in relation to others based on color are over! It is my sincere hope that the loyal followers of the BNP wake up before it is too late.  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-views-on-bnp-racist-remarks-towards.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| Charlie Davies Out Of ICU - ESPN Video Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:59:00 +0000  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/charlie-davies-out-of-icu-espn-video.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| ITS NOT IN MY NAME Global Crusade Against bigotry and intolerance Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +0000 The more I think about BBC upcoming interview with the far right wing party British National Party the angrier get. With this being said, I think that it would be a huge mistake to not allow the BNP a forum to express their views. Before securing a seat to the British Parliment, the BNP advocated for the removal for all Blacks and Muslims and various ethnic minorities to be removed from the United Kingdom. It is a scary thought in itself to think that fringe groups like the BNP has gained political legitimacy by winning a couple of seats in British Parliment. The BNP ascendancy to prominence reminds me of meteroric rise and iconic status reached by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and (Anne Coulter of the United States. As offensive as these individuals are to me, it is even more repulsive that there are a critical massof invisible individuals in the United States and the UK who actually support the likes of these characters by putting massive amounts of money to support their racist views! In my opinion, the only difference between Rush Limbaugh and these fringe groups. Limbaugh just stops short of saying the things that these far right wing organizations have stated publicly in the past. Whats scarier than this is the fact that there are substantial numbers of people of color in the United States that are not aware of the BNP. I am also aware that the majority of the American population are not aware that the BNP is scheduled to appear on the British Broadcasting Company on the 22nd of October. I have been accused by several of my closest friends of making sweeping statements in the past. Please forgive me if this is the case. But it is imperative especially for African Americans, people of color in the United States to take concerted action against racism globally. In my opinion, Black Americans should be spearheading the charge against racism globally as a result of our historically unique experience with American slavery and oppression. It saddens me that most of the Black political leadership continue to see themselves as an isolated entity instead of seeing the Black Americans as part of a larger global community who have also experienced similar oppression and hardship. It is of the utmost importance that Black American leaders stop focusing on the American catch phrase "Civil Rights" and think globally in terms of human rights. If these "self proclaimed pop icons" of the Black community think in broad terms and work alongside various ethnic groups globally, I think African Americans can make substantial contributions to the global community. I have decided to continue a crusade started by several of my anti racist buddies in the UK. My friends in Europe are taking action against the BBC granting an interview with the hate mongering political group on October 22, 2009. In addition to posting a youtube.com video clip of the BNP spewing out racist hatred, the anti racist outfit named hopenothate.org have encouraged concerned citizens to post pictures of themselves holding a placard stating NOT IN MY NAME(DENOUNCING RACISM). I think that this is a wonderful idea! I like this idea so much that I have decided to take this idea and add upon it. From now on, regardless of my locale, I am going to tell people about hopenot hate.org's concept, ask to interview (via videotape) take a photo of them or a placard stating ITS NOT IN MY NAME(USA). I am going to post every picture, signature and videotape interview on my gallery for my blog and website. I will be sure to tell people who I encounter to send their information to hopenothate's website. It is my goal to get at least a million or so more people in the United States, Canada and various places around the world to involve themselves in this project. As an individual concerned about fighting racism, I, alone, represent one voice: as a collective entity working for a common cause to let organizations like the National Front, The British National Party that their ideas will no longer be tolerated at soccer games or anywhere else in the world for that matter! I look forward to meeting and sharing experiences with like minded people from around the world to make the world a better place for all! I going to make the first of many videos on the subject beforethe 22nd of October. Be on the look out for me and my camera man because I may be coming to a town or city around the globe near you!  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-not-in-my-name-crusade.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| BBC invites fascist/racist BNP to speak on its show on 22nd of October Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:21:00 +0000 BBC interview with BNP on the 22nd of October 2009 © 2009 Canikickit2010.com/Curt Taylor On the October 4th, 2009. I had the displeasure of reading a disturbing piece of information sent to me through e-mail. Love Music Hate Racism an anti racist outfit based out of Northern Ireland has just informed me that the BBC has scheduled an interview with Nick Griffin, a leader of the fascist BNP (British National Party-newest member of the British Parliament) onto its Question Time programme on Thursday October 22nd in London England. In the past the BNP has denied the Nazi Holocaust, Attacked Jews, Muslims and believes that people of color should not have a right to live in the United Kingdom. In all fairness to the BNP this so called dangerous organization has toned it rhetoric down over the years before getting elected. After looking online I noticed that several credible news sources including the Daily Mail newspaper confirmed the fears of the anti racist outfit in Northern Ireland. As Last spring, I read an article written about how the embarrassment experienced by British Olympic committee for accidentally inviting the BNP to stand alongside soccer super stars with David Beckham and Andy Rooney in an attempt to secure a Olympic bid for London, England in 2016. According to the article these soccer stars had no idea that they would be on stage with the BNP. I accept partial responsibility for giving additional power to the BNP because after my initial exposure to this story I did nothing. I wanted to take action against the BNP but I was afraid to. Instead of thinking about the collective well being of all of humanity I thought about my self and my ego. For some months now I have been working on this project and have enjoyed some success but could have enjoyed more success in fighting racism if it was not for my personal fear of failure! I have had the pleasure of communicating with several European anti racism soccer based organizations who are just as passionate about fighting this problem as I am. These organizations have offered their assistance to me. Whilst I have corresponded with these organizations through e-mail and phone I feel that I can do more. Last summer, I made arrangements to meet with these organizations in Europe. I had even made reservations to attend the Youth Human Rights International conference in Geneva, Switzerland but financial restraints prevented me from realizing this dream. I had conducted several thought provoking videos on this topic of racism in soccer and planned to put them on the Internet but I was afraid of failure! I was afraid that people would not get where I was coming from. Well the time has come for me to set my fears aside and act! Before the airing of this show, I am going to video tape several interviews pertaining this topic and post them on my website. I am hoping that these interviews will give me the much-needed courage to fight the good fight. I have read several articles and watched several on the BNP and I admit that this organization seems very scary despite toning down its rhetoric. It is even scarier to me that a critical mass of people in the United Kingdom voted for this organization. Based on its hateful past I feel that the BNP is not a democratic organization. In all due respect to anti racist organizations across Europe I think it is dangerous not to let the BBC allow the BNP not express its personal views television regardless of how offensive they are. It is my sincere hope that this interview will shame the UK in the eyes of the world for voting like an organization like this in the first place. For more information on this story please click on the following link:  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/bbc-invites-fascistracist-bnp-to-speak.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| Muslim soccer team snubs Gay French soccer team Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:54:00 +0000 Journal Submission- October 7th, 2009 © Curtis Taylor Title: French Gay Soccer Team Snubbed By Muslim team My best friend just sent me a provoking article published by AP wiring service relating to my “Can I Kick It” project, which uses the backdrop of soccer to promote tolerance, and respect of all cultures and backgrounds by fighting racism and intolerance. The article is about a Muslim soccer team that accepts an initial invitation to play against a French gay soccer team and reneges by sending a hurtful e-mail stating their reasons for canceling last Sunday. As a Black male “American of color” I can relate to any human who has been wronged because of some inherent quality beyond their control such as color, gender or sexual orientation. Saying it plainly this is just f***d up! What disturbs me more about this unfortunate incident is the fact that people of color should be extra vigilant in fighting bigotry because of their collective experience with Western European colonialism and subjugation. Evil prevails when good people stand by and do nothing to prevent bad people, thoughts or actions. Let’s be honest with ourselves: by a show of hands, how many of us regardless of our racial, religious, cultural, national group or sexual orientation have heard someone make a disparaging remark pertaining to a marginalized group and not take action because of being viewed unfavorably by their peers? I, for one, have been guilty of this crime. How many of us are honest enough to admit to the same thing? When we sit by and let various forms of “isms” or phobias such as classicism, racism, sexism, anti intellectualism, anti Jewish hatred, homophobia or Islam phobia and anti-Western sentiment flourish within our own group and do nothing we automatically sanction these hurtful things to harm us! In an ideal world it would be great if people appreciated and embraced our unique gifts as individuals. So the question remains what should have been done to prevent this situation from taking place in the first place? Should soccer club (Muslim) Creteil Bebel have not agreed to play Paris Foot Gay because of their sexual orientation as a result of being devout Muslims? The actions of this soccer team is just as disturbing as the hatred that extremists but loyal football fans direct towards Black players in Europe during games. It is important for these wary individuals in the West to castigate the ownership of the soccer team and not Islam itself. As individuals, we should stand by our convictions regardless of what anyone else thinks as long as it is done respectfully and humanely. People should not be forced to accept others lifestyle, but it should be required that we treat everyone will dignity. I feel that the owners of the soccer team should have thought about the ramifications of their actions when deciding to act in a rash manner. If the governing bodies of soccer such as the IOC and FIFA are serious about fighting racism in soccer, then severe action should be taken against this team for promoting intolerance. There are those of us out there who feel that Creteil Bebel would have been better off keeping quiet and refusing to play Paris Foot Gay in the first place. Would it be best for groups of individuals to hate or discriminate against others because they are different as long as they keep their thoughts to themselves? Or is it better if people know where they stand with one another regardless of how painful or hurtful their actions or beliefs may be? Intolerance, hatred and bigotry is akin to cancer. Is it best to ignore the symptoms and let it fester. or should an aggressive course of action be taken? Most of us would agree that attacking cancer would be the best solution. The next time you hear someone make a bigoted or hateful remark about another individual or group (yes, including gay people), please stand up and do the right thing, because the next time the feelings that end up getting hurt may be your own.  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/muslim-soccer-team-snubs-french-soccer.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
| Motivations for making film Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:50:00 +0000 Curt’s blog entry- reasons for making film ©October 7th, 2009 I have many reasons for wanting to complete this feature length documentary film, and using the backdrop of soccer to fight racism and intolerance. My primary reasons for making this film stem from my parents direct experience in the segregated American south, my personal experiences with racism in America and discussions between older relatives describing how well Blacks were treated by others of various nationalities throughout foreign countries. One particular incident relating to my involvement with American racism and European sensitivity towards people of color occurred during the 11th grade. A group of foreign exchange students from Europe (France and Scotland) came to my high school for several days to experience life in “the American public school system.” Most of the students within our school got along pretty well with each other but rarely socialized with each other outside of school. I got along with most of my teachers and peers alike, I participated in various after school related activities. In fact, a sizeable number of my friends consisted of students from various ethnicities. In spite of this when the foreign exchange students came to visit our school, the administration and participating privileged “minority population” took great care to ensure that these students would have limited interaction with Black students. My initial encounter with these exchange students occurred during an advanced placement biology lab. I remember hearing knocking at the door. The teacher began walking towards the door to open it. Upon entering the room the teacher proceeded to introduce my classmates and several exchange students, including a Black female from Scotland to our class. I will never forget how my initial reaction to hearing the accent of the Scottish pupil. I thought that she had the coolest accent in the world. As I walked over to introduce myself to them, the facial expressions of my classmates revealed a combination of outrage and disgust towards me for my intrusion. Not one to be held down by social conventions I introduced myself to the exchange students. A female French student extended a hand out to me and introduced herself. A conversation between the both of us took place for several minutes. Some of my classmates tried to politely persuade her from interacting but the French student politely told them that she was interested to know more about the historical Black American experience in the United States. She asked me several questions relating to this topic. After glancing at the clock I knew the class period was coming to an end. I told her that I would be more than willing to continue this fascinating discussion during the next period (lunch). During lunch the French student expressed her disappointment with school authorities about not being able to interact with any of the Black students at our school despite having a large number of them. I asked her if she would like to meet some of my friends from my neighborhood who were present in the lunchroom during this time. She took me up on my offer to meet some of my homeboys and girls from my hood. My people, male and female alike thought that it was cool that students from France had came to our school to visit. During this conversation they complimented her on her cool sounding accent and told her that her it was really cool. I will never forget how hard they laughed when she told them that “feel colons” about her favorite form of music. I even laughed because I did not understand her strange but cool accent. After making several failed attempts to explain herself, I asked her to spell each letter this strange form of music. After spelling out the letters PHIL we realized that her favorite musician was Phil Collins. My boys and I cracked up for several more minutes before telling me how much they appreciated and loved my crazy ass for bringing a fine assed French girl with a sexy but funny sounding accent to meet them. My boys continue to tease me by warning her about how much I talked. Over the next several weeks we became very good friends and talked often during lunch, gym and recess. My friends and I gave her a much more honest version of race relations in America than the one that she had been exposed to by my classmates, their parents and staff at our school. Several weeks passed by before she departed for France. We exchanged addresses and phone numbers and promised to keep in touch. We wrote and called each other the next several months. I remembered that she extended an invitation for me to visit over summer holiday. If it were up to me I would have jumped at the opportunity to travel to France but realized that we were poor and that type of thing normally did not happen to a kid from the hood unless they went into the army. I hope the best for her and wish her much success. It would be really great to se her again and catch up. I can’t even remember her name. I should write Oprah Winfrey to see if she could arrange for this reunion to happen. My encounter with her at the time had given some kernel of truth about the discussions older relatives used to talk about concerning how humanely Blacks Americans G.I.s were treated in Europe. As a result of this encounter with the exchange student I would eventually spend a semester abroad in England and fell in love with the beautiful game of football. I have continued to follow the sport with great interest and was disappointed by how poorly Black footballers were treated by racist fans. Because of its ability to reach billions of people the beautiful game of football allows me the perfect venue to promote tolerance and harmony for all individuals by fighting intolerance, bigotry and racism.  http://globalkick.blogspot.com/2009/10/motivations-for-making-film.html noreply@blogger.com (canikickit2010.com) |
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