IN response to the comments made by the Kilmarnock Football Club’s manager, Steve Clarke ("Clarke condemns Ibrox hierarchy after sectarian abuse from fans", Herald Sport, February 21), I would like to offer my opinion on sectarianism in the West of Scotland.
I attended the Celtic match at the weekend and the Rangers match on Wednesday night as a Kilmarnock supporter, and I left both games shocked at the level of sectarianism that still exists in 2019. Both Celtic and Rangers sang songs that should never be repeated – particularly when there are children present. Both sets of supporters also subjected individual players/managers to very personal bigoted chants. It really is astounding that we are still trying to deal with this behaviour – it seems to be getting worse rather than better.
Read more: Strict Liability is best way to stamp out sectarianism in Scottish football
As someone who lived in Belfast for eight years of my childhood, sadly, I can say from previous experience that this bigoted behaviour is not confined to football grounds. In social and work situations I have to deal with questions and comments that are completely inappropriate and, to be truthful, actually quite offensive. On a regular basis remarks are directed towards me that have sectarian connotations. I am asked “what side am I on”, “who do I support”, some people even just get straight to the point and ask what religion I am. Why does this matter? What makes it acceptable to subject me to these questions? Will people like me less if I am the “wrong” religion?
In my profession as a teacher I often hear young people making remarks that are bigoted and probably just being repeated from something they have heard at home or in school. If this was racism it would be treated very differently, and parents and teachers teach young people to grow up with respect for people, irrespective of their race. Should we not be teaching the same with regards to religion?
Read more: Killie to raise Steve Clarke chants from Rangers fans with SFA
What makes this scenario all the more abhorrent is that I have witnessed teachers making sectarian comments in front of pupils and getting involved in discussions with them that are wholly inappropriate. Furthermore, teachers regularly make sectarian remarks on social media. If we ever want to eradicate this terrible cancer that plagues our society we need to all stand up and play our part – parents, teachers, media and football clubs. Following one religion or another does not make you a better person – teaching the young people of our society that we are all the same no matter what religion we are is what is important.
Naomi Dickson,
Hill Street, Kilmarnock.
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