My sentiment exactly

[Assasin]

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John Terry 'sarcasm defence' leaves society in a dangerous position | Natasha Henry


John Terry leaves court after being found not guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Read by 168 people
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Saturday 14 July 2012 It is naive to think we won't see people escaping charges of using 'abusive language' because the context cannot be decided


Surreal. That is probably the best way to describe my week in court for the John Terry trial. As a football fan and a sports journalist for Britain's biggest black newspaper I had a vested interest in the proceedings. I was always apprehensive about what the evidence would portray about the world of English football, and the language we heard did not disappoint.
I have been to enough football stadiums to know that many of the words used are not the kind you would say in front of your grandma. Not that this makes it acceptable, but it is well known that when footballers engage in "banter" it is normally expletive-heavy and childish.
What has disappointed, though, is the negative reception Anton Ferdinand has received. He didn't hear anything; he didn't make the complaint nor decide to bring charges against Terry. He was merely the unfortunate soul in relation to whom the words "********ing black ********" arose on the football pitch. But the treatment the Queens Park Rangers defender has received sadly shows a dark side to some football supporters. This inherent belief that you should support your club; regardless of the reality or the circumstances. Some fans appear to ignore all notion of what is right, as they take their tribal obsession to extremes and with no consideration for those they hurt in the process.
There was something extremely crass about seeing the defendant's supporters cheering and drinking pink cava as the player left the magistrates court, surrounding by security. As the not guilty verdict was announced; his entourage in the public gallery cheered aggressively, while the Ferdinand family sat in quiet reflection.
Terry being found not guilty has wider implications for the sport and the black community as a whole. Is it acceptable to use racially charged language, if it cannot be proved that you did it with malice? That doesn't sit right with me. Those three words in that order are not acceptable. To suggest that they are leaves us in a dangerous position in society as I expect more people to use what is already being called "the sarcasm defence" in court.
In my opinion it would be naive of us to think that we won't see people escaping charges of using "abusive language" because the context cannot be decided. Surely the words themselves are bad enough that the context should be irrelevant? The fact that many in Loftus Road on that October afternoon would have felt hurt and uncomfortable by Terry's words should be reason enough to make a stand and ensure that we don't allow this type of situation to become commonplace.
I don't see many players daring to complain if they feel they have been racially abused in future. In the back of their mind they will expect a similar outcome unless there is someone else there to support their evidence. I would say that was a matter for the Professional Footballers' Association. And what about fans in the stands, how can we expect them to behave accordingly if we cannot guarantee the same of our players on the pitch?
How do I explain to my 10-year-old cousin that racially charged language is not OK, when now perhaps it is? Of course, this is based on the fact that it wasn't said in an insulting manner.
I have no doubt that this situation will run and run, with the Football Association's investigation and QPR hosting Chelsea on 15 September. We can expect more drama and further repercussions as more questions are asked and more opinions are given. It has already been going on for nine months and I would not be surprised if I am still writing about it this time next year. But, regardless of the magistrate's decision and regardless of what others say, I will never think it acceptable to use those words in any context.

Natasha Henry is a sports journalist for the Voice

[Peter R]

Sass, the writer has a valid point...but I don't see the football world going to hell in a handbasket because of this decision.

[Assasin]

it might not but one incident of Racism on or around the pitch is one too much.

[Paul Marin]

To be honest, I think that the first thing we have to do is to be introspective. I picked up my 13 year old son's ipod the other day and I couldn't believe the number of times I heard the "n" word and its various derivatives from rappers he is enamored of. Until we ourselves stamp out the use of objectionable racist terms - nigg*r, choc ice etc. we can't expect the rest of the world to lend support. We are sending a mixed message. My son tells me that even the white kids at his school use the word referring to their "buddies" (whether black, white, chinese etc.) as their "**********z" with no offense taken.

That said, context is important, otherwise you could NEVER use objectionable terms even to convey their objectionable use. The original defense I heard for JT was that he said "I didn't call you a f- b- c-, you f-ing knobhead!" This is not what came out in court, but had it been, I would have bought it as a reasonable and inoffensive use of the terms in question. Context has to be a factor...it is hugely ambitious and unrealistic to ignore it.

[Assasin]

I tell you I have two young sons but anyday I hear them use that word, they will feel the penalty. I don't care who else is using it and in what context. I have never used it and never will. Respect goes a far way.

It maybe hard to block out some a the music with such words but actually aiming it at a person, anyone in my book it what I want my kids to do or a footballer earning huge sums of money.

I remember years ago I like a girl and I knew she also liked me. One day I was riding with her and she had a son about 6 year old and some rap tune was playing and he was singing line for line and the "n" word came up and he was all over it. It turned me off so badly, I couldn't even think of dating her again.

[Paul Marin]

I tell you I have two young sons but anyday I hear them use that word, they will feel the penalty. I don't care who else is using it and in what context. I have never used it and never will. Respect goes a far way.

It maybe hard to block out some a the music with such words but actually aiming it at a person, anyone in my book it what I want my kids to do or a footballer earning huge sums of money.

I remember years ago I like a girl and I knew she also liked me. One day I was riding with her and she had a son about 6 year old and some rap tune was playing and he was singing line for line and the "n" word came up and he was all over it. It turned me off so badly, I couldn't even think of dating her again.

Good for you Sass. You have principles.

[Assasin]

Brethren if you know my Granny and and mother you would understand. they grew so many kids and none could call people certain names and let them hear it(although I caught my granny in a rant calling names at least once). Then meeting meeting Bredda Sam Clayton from Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and the first subject was "good hair" and moving to the hospitality industry and treating everybody as equal until they prove otherwise regardless of origin.

I also expect to be treated as equal.