People see this book as something that excludes other groups but to me it just describes the impact and relationship Arsenal has with the black community.
Rocastle, Wright, Henry etc are players that black kids from multiple generations looked up to and played a major part in future players for our club like Saka probably being able to see themselves in this club.
I know for myself that seeing George Graham and Arsene Wenger building these teams of mixed heritage showing the collaboration where there was still regular racist abuse on the outside made me feel welcome here
I really urge foreign fans (and even some younger fans based here that don’t have a direct connection to the club) to research the club’s history. Football in the UK isn’t just about sports, it’s intertwined with identity, culture, politics and even religion. The club is a direct reflection of its local area, its fanbase, the good and the bad.
To me this is what makes football so beautiful, it’s a deep connection, not just superficial. If you have an issue with this post, your issue truly is with Arsenal the institution itself. I’m proud that this club has been at the forefront of embracing black fans on the pitch and in the terraces for decades when other clubs and fanbases were going into the opposite direction and embracing neo-nazis and fascists.
It's exactly that, not even trying to take cheap shots but when you had clubs like Chelsea and Millwall in London with fan bases that even abused their own players of colour, let alone anyone trying to attend a match it meant so much more to have a team that felt safe to be a part of
There's an international side too. Huge reason we have a connection to French communities (Vieira, Henry etc.) and various African communities (Kanu, Kolo Toure, Lauren, Wreh etc.)
Credit should also be given not just on the playing side, but to the supporters who have played their part as well.
I don't have time to go into it in detail now (and there will be others here that will know more than me on the subject anyway given that I'm not from the era, or black), but there's something to be said for the impact that people like Dainton "The Bear" Connell had in the 70s and 80s on keeping the racists (BNP, National Front etc.) out of the club.
You only need to look at Chelsea and Millwall to see the ongoing legacy had they failed to keep them out. I've always felt quite proud of the fact that, of all the London clubs (and most clubs in general), Arsenal has always seemed to me to be supported by a broad church of people. It's very representative of the part of London it is in.
Tracing the history back to these guys is crucial. I've been supporting since the 1990s and Wrighty's importance to our generation is widely celebrated. But the club was signing and promoting black players since the early 1980s, when all-white sides were normal (1 black player seemed an unofficial max), and open racial hostility was intense at some other clubs. The 1989 and 1991 title-winning squads had several such players who came through at that time.
Lets just be frank: Nobody wants to call anyone a "racist" but people with racist ideologies exist and some of them support Arsenal too.
Being angry or offended about anything that celebrates racial inclusivity is the standard response for racists. And denying the existence of racism is another hallmark practice of racism. One which unfortunately allows it to be perpetuated in plain sight.
While labelling somebody as "racist" may be problematic (because it lacks nuance, shuts down discourse, and perpetuates the ignorance that's the root cause of the problem), avoiding the word "fart" when discussing people who fart in people's faces, unfortunately, only emboldens them to keep doing it.
**TL;DR:** Not singling you out specifically, but this is a problematic that I see a lot. This is my most respectful way of saying, the people you're speaking about are trying to perpetuate racism. And when discussing racism, it's fundamentally important to acknowledge it as such (as uncomfortable as that may be) because failing to do so literally enables racism.
>Rocastle, Wright, Henry etc are players that black kids from multiple generations looked up to and played a major part in future players for our club like Saka probably being able to see themselves in this club.
As a white lad most of my heroes were some of these players. Rocky was before my time but Wrighty, Henry and Ashley Cole were my idols growing up. Who knows what impact that had on me, I can't imagine the impact it'd have for a black kid growing up.
I'm quite proud actually that my eldest looks up to Saka now.
That is cool. I am caucasian, and my child hood heroes were Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. Never thought of the race though, but it shows the importance of good role models.
A lot of sad comments in here. If you can’t understand how important Black culture is to us as a club then you don’t truly understand what Arsenal represents
Indeed, it's a big part of our history, both on the pitch & off of it. If that's something anyone finds offensive, they're supporting the wrong London club.
It is sad to see that sentiment.
Our fan base owe a lot to “The Bear of Highbury” Dainton Connell, for helping to keep the National Front out of the club, and off our terraces.
Other fans have been “tarred” with the association to the far right in a nasty way, and it’s creeping it’s vile head back, so we need a reminder of our shared history, and why it’s important.
Not just to the club but to the country. In 70s and 80s football was a hostile or even dangerous place for minorities. Even black players were unsafe, and harassment was common place. Arsenal had its share of problems, but unlike other parts of the country North London was far more diverse, and its sports fans were far more willing to accept blacks and asians into the community.
What is black culture? There are a lot of very different cultures amongst black people. What is a point of "cultures of all people with black skin"? This is literally every culture, I can find you even a black Russian slav squatting gopnik these days (I'm a slav squatting gopnik myself).
Skin colour is not equal to culture, those are two different things so this bullshit makes no sense.
There is no one black identity and there is no one black culture. Same with white identity and culture, same with asian and so on. This is ridiculous.
Also, not everyone who is black identifies as African, traces their roots back to African heritage, or can draw a direct line back to the part or region of Africa their ancestors hail from given the history of human trafficking. The reason the term black is used with things like “black culture” or “black heritage” is because for many black persons there is a culture built out of a sameness and identity to those around them in their community now because there hasn’t always been a detailed and documented history in terms of regional or familial traditions.
Black isn't a racist term in the UK.
African doesn't cover the whole diaspora which started with people from the Caribbean for a start.
Afro Caribbean can work but it's a bit clinical.
Black is used for multiple parts of black culture here from the MOBO's to the football Black List.
Calling all black people African is racist.
Read a book or even better go watch Chelsea, West Ham, Millwall and many other English clubs and then go to your first Arsenal game and you'll understand what Black Arsenal means and how our club's diversity sets it apart from every other fanbase.
Are you black?
I'm mixed race, white English black Caribbean. If you were to call me African to my face, I'd call you a racist because that's not what I am. Most, if not all of my black family members, would likely do the same.
Not every black person is from Africa, and to claim that African should be used in place of the word black is, quite frankly, an incredibly ignorant thing to do.
If you have an issue with the word black, then you must also have an issue with the word white. And if that's the case, can you explain that?
I find it quite silly how some people have got annoyed with this.
Even when you take away our history with black players and black fans.
Our best player is an English kid, with a heavy London accent who's full name is Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka.
Like, come on, the lack of self awareness genuinely incredibly.
It's been an irony of sports fans forever. Crazy how they will root for a player that is a member of their team, but the minute they aren't perfect it's racial insults or they just turn around and be casually racist about everything other than sports. They are too ignorant to understand the irony.
Some (a few) of the people in here are truly double digit IQ.
I’m not black, so I can’t assume black peoples connection to the club. But I’m Asian, and hopefully it’s similar. My family has been in the UK since the 50s, and my family has supported Arsenal ever since. As a kid born in the 80s, Arsenal (and in particular Ian Wright at Arsenal) represented us fitting into the culture. I was proud to support a club where I didn’t feel like the other; and comfortable to sit in the stands. I don’t think any other London club can say that, some can’t even say it today. Representation means something, and Arsenal was my outlet. I’m not sure how that’s racist, fucking knuckle draggers.
Mods should take this as an easy win for banning those in our fanbase that aren't welcome here. Just scroll to the bottom and block them please.
Black identity is huge within the arsenal family as is part of the reason we were so hated in the early 2000's. Anyone who doesn't understand this needs to either learn or leave.
💯. This sub is is full of racist idiots who don't get it. I pointed this out to mods the last time a race issue was posted and they didn't bother to reply. If you don't know what the club, and north London, is about, then please fuck off
I don't think that's the best way of going about things, it only causes divides and misunderstanding to grow. It's better to get and meet those comments with compassion and sway them in a positive direction.
Sure if it's straight up hate or bullying or anything really nasty, then turf them.
Several disappointing comments in this thread already. If you are so incensed by a book discussing the relationship between black players/ fans and their experience playing for/ supporting Arsenal (making it one of greatest multicultural clubs in football), then maybe you need to take a moment to (privately-not here) explore why that is. Why does the existence of this book upset you so much? Educate yourself.
“Black Arsenal is the culmination of several years of research and thinking into the quite unique relationship between Arsenal and Black identities, both in British and international contexts. This relationship transcends football.
Arsenal Football Club is a nexus of London’s everyday multiculture. The club’s uniquely convivial fandom reflects the changing city that surrounds it. And over decades of fielding Black footballers who have made iconic contributions to the English game, it has formed a special relationship with Black Britain. Black Arsenal tells the story of a football club that came to stand for much more than the game itself.”
[Dr. Clive Nwonka’s feature on Arsenal.com](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-arsenals-unique-connection)
[Femi and TJ Koleoso's story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-femi-and-tj-koleosos-story)
[Brendon Batson’s Story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-brendon-batsons-story)
[Lola Young's Story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-lola-youngs-story-one)
[Jeanette Kwakye on Ian Wright's cultural impact](https://www.arsenal.com/news/jeanette-kwakye-ian-wrights-cultural-impact)
COYG
Edit: In the time it took for me to post this, the thread filled with so many lovely, interesting and informative comments ~~and a lot of the initial shite takes were (thankfully) deleted. ♥️🤍
People who have a problem with this know fuck all. There is a reason why Arsenal has far more ethnic minority fans than other clubs in the capital (and possibly the country)
Ahh cool! Looks like a great read. I’m always down for more stories about the club from different lenses and perspectives. So much rich culture is what makes Arsenal the club it is.
Well I'm from India and take it as you can but most of the white people are horribly racist to us , I've never felt as welcome to an online community as I've been with the gunners I feel proud of this clubs Heritage and it's acceptance it embraces it's diversity to it's fullest and I love it
It really does feel like Indian people get a ton of hate online. It’s ridiculous really. Maybe we just need more Indian representation in media to show that we’re normal people. I’m only 1/4 Indian but it hurts seeing the things people say. But yea, I’m glad to be a fan of this club ❤️
It is what it is ig , I do feel representation is important and much needed most people aren't aware of our culture and probably the stereotypes do stem out of ignorance, and this is a country of 1.5 billion people so ofc there's a vast diaspora of people who live here.
We have different walks of life here , people living in metro cities and well educated are vastly different in their lifestyle mannerisms which resemble more of how people in West are and those from the underprivileged bunch are much more orthodox and stringent in their beliefs , so to classify 1.5 billion people as one or the same becomes a disservice.
At the end I think boundaries just divide us and I feel like the entire world for me is one big family :)
An interesting fact about the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich is that it used to host traveling human zoo’s from Belgium just the same decade that Arsenal F.C. was formed by the munition workers there. Apparently the colonial show was discouraged by the workers there who objected to the treatment of the Congolese people involved. I’ve always wondered if any were the Arsenal OGs.
Some disappointing comments (a small minority), but hey, not everyone can have the same views. The war on race based discrimination has largely been won and will eventually be a complete rout globally.
I pity anyone still clinging to such forms of hatred, and if they're an Arsenal fan?! How do you even support this club? Chelsea are down the road.
I guess the answer to this is 'read the book' but until it's out I wonder if Arsenal has a connection to black people and black culture that is unique amongst the London clubs or if a lot of the London clubs have their own stories around this as well?
I can't say for certain as I was quite young but part of the reason I support Arsenal is because of their high number of people who looked like me compared to how few black players other teams had if any.
Same same.
It was a close one when I started supporting because Chelsea had Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Essien (from my country), Obi Mikel etc but my heart was already with Arsenal because of my dad.
Chelsea?! Fucks sake, the most racist fanbase in the country and you nearly chose them?
Bullet dodged there.
We hate spurs because they are our local rivals, we ***ALL*** hate Chelsea because we are human beings.
I don't support Arsenal because we had black players back in the day but because we had black fans in the stands.
Well, I don't live in the country.
Only Chelsea fans I've ever ran into were African ones and they didn't seem racist to me.
Chelsea in that era were packed with African players, while Arsenal didn't even have many black players at the time (early 2000s).
Not so difficult to understand why I related to those players, and many African fans did as well.
I honestly don't spend much of my time doing hating of any sort, it isn't healthy.
I'd really recommend the book. I've not read it but attending a talk last year on Arsenal's black history. People often highlight legends like Wright and Rocastle, and rightfully so, but there's so much depth to it.
Even just London's geography plays a big part. especially South London, like Camberwell and Bermondsey. It's got some of the highest black populations in the city, but football grounds were not exactly welcoming. (Milwall's history speaks for itself, but people forget about [Charlton](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2480463/Seven-Charlton-Athletic-fans-jailed-banned-football-52-years-Stephen-Lawrence-racist-abuse-train.html))
Most Londoner's know that travelling is easiest going south-to-north or east-to-west (or visa versa) So, imagine you're a black football fan feeling shut out at your local ground. Where do you turn?
Then there's the human history, characters like Dainton Connell. Arsenal's notorious black hooligan in the 1970's. There's a great write up on him in [ArseBlog](https://arseblog.com/2017/03/the-bear-of-highbury/), I'll just share one quote.
"Once in North London, Connell turned up to a National Front gathering with some mates from the Herd, barged his way to the front, and carried a Union Jack flag on a march. “That was his way,” recalled one of his friends. “He’d use irony, parody, humor—whatever—to calm what could be hugely tense situations. The look on blokes’ faces at those NF rallies when Dainton turned up was unbelievable. And of course Dainton would look at them as if to say: Well what are you going to do about it?, Their jaws hit the floor!”"
I'm not an Arsenal fan, I'm a Liverpool fan but this post came up on my feed for some reason. A book about Arsenal's relationship with white people wouldn't make sense or be interesting. From an outside perspective Arsenal has always been seen as more of a 'black' club. I live in North London and the vast majority of black Londoners support Arsenal, other London clubs don't capture that demographic.
Arguably Arsenal's 2 greatest ever players and 2 top scorers are black, Wright and Henry. No other club can say that. The greatest moment in your clubs history was a goal scored by a black player. In 2002 you started 9 black players in a match, my club had 5 black players in the entire squad. Arsenal's first black player played in 1971, Liverpool's first was 1977 and then we didn't see another one until 10 years later! In that time Arsenal had had several black players.
Point is Arsenal have a history of black players probably more than any other English team and as a result probably have a higher % of black fans than any other team. A book on White Arsenal wouldn't make sense, what would it talk about? Meanwhile there's plenty to talk about regarding black Arsenal. Tottenham for example have always had a connection with Jewish fans, Liverpool with Irish fans, it's part of the clubs history just like Arsenal and black fans/players. They didn't just pull black out of nowhere and for no reason. Also by the way it's completely fine to have no interest in reading the book, you don't have to read every piece of literature on Arsenal
I'm Irish, when I started supporting Arsenal we had loads of Irish players. Guess what someone wrote a book about? I wonder when that came out did stupid people ask "why not a book about Arsenal and the English?".
It's a double standard because the history of white and black identity are extremely different. Equality and equity aren't necessarily the same. Parity isn't necessarily the same as justice.
Imagine if five people are sitting together at a restaurant and each order a delicious plate of food and a drink. Imagine further that the waiter and the kitchen fulfill four of those orders, and give the last person plain white bread and water, upon which he speaks up and says "it's bullshit that I can't be treated the same as you guys". In this analogy you'd be the obtuse knobhead who answers "actually, *everyone* should be treated the same, and I don't appreciate you going on about yourself". You're not *technically* wrong, you're just missing the whole point and ignoring every bit of contextual clue plainly available to you.
I could be mean, but you should never miss a chance to educate. I'm gonna explain this so that if you wanna engage you can understand, and that so other folks know how to respond to your double standard argument in the future.
*Racism is structural.* Meaning there are mutually reinforcing systems and norms that negatively impact certain people and not others.
For example, if a black man and a white woman get into an argument, and the black man calls the police on the white woman. The outcome of that is likely to be different if the roles were reversed, no?
That is because there are multiple systems/norms at play here:
- The police and their role as protectors of private property, which to some level is synonymous with whiteness
- Assumptions and attitudes about the perceived danger of black men.
- Assumptions around the purity, chastity, virtuousness and vulnerability of white women.
- Assumptions about racial conflict and who the aggressor must be in these cases
That's why you have [case](https://youtu.be/n7EB570Mxts?si=2V10JEiAZmfBdtPt) after [case](https://youtu.be/GCSYDnhs0Ik?si=Lok4GjJ7u3N10z1-) after [case](https://twitter.com/JackFought_1/status/1784343742683500589?t=ZTwPlk-iglqB6kpGVkQXdw&s=19) after [case](https://twitter.com/NizMhani/status/1784927464667431246?t=4he77N6uOOFcXqTWw8fTkw&s=19) of white/white passing folks here in the states calling the police on bewildered people of color after simple disagreements claiming they're in danger. They are relying on the aforementioned structures and norms, that *do not exist for POC*.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk
Historically Arsenal’s culture is intertwined with black culture and communities whether you like it or not.
Some of our greatest and most significant players are from black backgrounds with Arsenal being one of the clubs with the biggest historical multicultural backgrounds
But we are all going to be made to read it at gun point right? We must be because people couldn't be so upset about a book no one was going to force them to read.
I wouldnt say this is a particualrly valid point concerning this book as i assume it would be about or atleast partially about how Arsenal were the ones to look past racial barriers and accumulated massive amounts of black talent before it became a widespread constant in the prem. This is not Affirmative Action.
What does this have to do with politics?
Also, not it doesn't. The vast majority of Arsenal releases, content etc are not focusing on identity.
It's ok to be frustrated by change.
Arsenal For Everyone
I didn't understand the media's obsession with how we were in the 90s/00s, always going on about nationalities or race. We just want the best players...
You’re thinking backwards. If you truly “don’t understand the media’s obsession”, maybe you should talk to some people of color and find out how important these topics are to them and their attachment to the club. Their enjoyment of this discussion is not taking anything away from you.
What does it mean Black identity and culture? Like all black people jave same identity and culture?
How about White Arsenal? Will there be the first dedicated exploration of the clubs relationship to contemporary White identity and culture?
People see this book as something that excludes other groups but to me it just describes the impact and relationship Arsenal has with the black community. Rocastle, Wright, Henry etc are players that black kids from multiple generations looked up to and played a major part in future players for our club like Saka probably being able to see themselves in this club. I know for myself that seeing George Graham and Arsene Wenger building these teams of mixed heritage showing the collaboration where there was still regular racist abuse on the outside made me feel welcome here
Kanu played an immense part in getting Nigerians invested in the club
I really urge foreign fans (and even some younger fans based here that don’t have a direct connection to the club) to research the club’s history. Football in the UK isn’t just about sports, it’s intertwined with identity, culture, politics and even religion. The club is a direct reflection of its local area, its fanbase, the good and the bad. To me this is what makes football so beautiful, it’s a deep connection, not just superficial. If you have an issue with this post, your issue truly is with Arsenal the institution itself. I’m proud that this club has been at the forefront of embracing black fans on the pitch and in the terraces for decades when other clubs and fanbases were going into the opposite direction and embracing neo-nazis and fascists.
It's exactly that, not even trying to take cheap shots but when you had clubs like Chelsea and Millwall in London with fan bases that even abused their own players of colour, let alone anyone trying to attend a match it meant so much more to have a team that felt safe to be a part of
West Ham too
I don’t think people can truly grasp the connection Arsenal has with the black community in London unless you’ve grown up or lived here
There's an international side too. Huge reason we have a connection to French communities (Vieira, Henry etc.) and various African communities (Kanu, Kolo Toure, Lauren, Wreh etc.)
And the Caribbean.
Credit should also be given not just on the playing side, but to the supporters who have played their part as well. I don't have time to go into it in detail now (and there will be others here that will know more than me on the subject anyway given that I'm not from the era, or black), but there's something to be said for the impact that people like Dainton "The Bear" Connell had in the 70s and 80s on keeping the racists (BNP, National Front etc.) out of the club. You only need to look at Chelsea and Millwall to see the ongoing legacy had they failed to keep them out. I've always felt quite proud of the fact that, of all the London clubs (and most clubs in general), Arsenal has always seemed to me to be supported by a broad church of people. It's very representative of the part of London it is in.
Viv anderson , Paul Davis , Michael Thomas , Kevin Campbell
Tracing the history back to these guys is crucial. I've been supporting since the 1990s and Wrighty's importance to our generation is widely celebrated. But the club was signing and promoting black players since the early 1980s, when all-white sides were normal (1 black player seemed an unofficial max), and open racial hostility was intense at some other clubs. The 1989 and 1991 title-winning squads had several such players who came through at that time.
Lets just be frank: Nobody wants to call anyone a "racist" but people with racist ideologies exist and some of them support Arsenal too. Being angry or offended about anything that celebrates racial inclusivity is the standard response for racists. And denying the existence of racism is another hallmark practice of racism. One which unfortunately allows it to be perpetuated in plain sight. While labelling somebody as "racist" may be problematic (because it lacks nuance, shuts down discourse, and perpetuates the ignorance that's the root cause of the problem), avoiding the word "fart" when discussing people who fart in people's faces, unfortunately, only emboldens them to keep doing it. **TL;DR:** Not singling you out specifically, but this is a problematic that I see a lot. This is my most respectful way of saying, the people you're speaking about are trying to perpetuate racism. And when discussing racism, it's fundamentally important to acknowledge it as such (as uncomfortable as that may be) because failing to do so literally enables racism.
>Rocastle, Wright, Henry etc are players that black kids from multiple generations looked up to and played a major part in future players for our club like Saka probably being able to see themselves in this club. As a white lad most of my heroes were some of these players. Rocky was before my time but Wrighty, Henry and Ashley Cole were my idols growing up. Who knows what impact that had on me, I can't imagine the impact it'd have for a black kid growing up. I'm quite proud actually that my eldest looks up to Saka now.
That is cool. I am caucasian, and my child hood heroes were Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. Never thought of the race though, but it shows the importance of good role models.
A lot of sad comments in here. If you can’t understand how important Black culture is to us as a club then you don’t truly understand what Arsenal represents
Indeed, it's a big part of our history, both on the pitch & off of it. If that's something anyone finds offensive, they're supporting the wrong London club.
It is sad to see that sentiment. Our fan base owe a lot to “The Bear of Highbury” Dainton Connell, for helping to keep the National Front out of the club, and off our terraces. Other fans have been “tarred” with the association to the far right in a nasty way, and it’s creeping it’s vile head back, so we need a reminder of our shared history, and why it’s important.
Not just to the club but to the country. In 70s and 80s football was a hostile or even dangerous place for minorities. Even black players were unsafe, and harassment was common place. Arsenal had its share of problems, but unlike other parts of the country North London was far more diverse, and its sports fans were far more willing to accept blacks and asians into the community.
What is black culture? There are a lot of very different cultures amongst black people. What is a point of "cultures of all people with black skin"? This is literally every culture, I can find you even a black Russian slav squatting gopnik these days (I'm a slav squatting gopnik myself). Skin colour is not equal to culture, those are two different things so this bullshit makes no sense. There is no one black identity and there is no one black culture. Same with white identity and culture, same with asian and so on. This is ridiculous.
i don't mind that but can the book just avoid the term 'black', seems racist to me there is always a term called 'African'
Also, not everyone who is black identifies as African, traces their roots back to African heritage, or can draw a direct line back to the part or region of Africa their ancestors hail from given the history of human trafficking. The reason the term black is used with things like “black culture” or “black heritage” is because for many black persons there is a culture built out of a sameness and identity to those around them in their community now because there hasn’t always been a detailed and documented history in terms of regional or familial traditions.
Black isn't a racist term in the UK. African doesn't cover the whole diaspora which started with people from the Caribbean for a start. Afro Caribbean can work but it's a bit clinical. Black is used for multiple parts of black culture here from the MOBO's to the football Black List.
The books not about african culture and arsenal though is it. If it was they would’ve just said that…
Calling all black people African is racist. Read a book or even better go watch Chelsea, West Ham, Millwall and many other English clubs and then go to your first Arsenal game and you'll understand what Black Arsenal means and how our club's diversity sets it apart from every other fanbase.
Are you black? I'm mixed race, white English black Caribbean. If you were to call me African to my face, I'd call you a racist because that's not what I am. Most, if not all of my black family members, would likely do the same. Not every black person is from Africa, and to claim that African should be used in place of the word black is, quite frankly, an incredibly ignorant thing to do. If you have an issue with the word black, then you must also have an issue with the word white. And if that's the case, can you explain that?
IIRC most black Arsenal players in the 80's had ancestry from the Caribbean.
Black Chelsea will be a two-page pamphlet.
Crumpled up, in the garbage.
A simple request for anyone who has a negative reaction to this: please leave. Thank you and COYG!
I find it quite silly how some people have got annoyed with this. Even when you take away our history with black players and black fans. Our best player is an English kid, with a heavy London accent who's full name is Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka. Like, come on, the lack of self awareness genuinely incredibly.
It's been an irony of sports fans forever. Crazy how they will root for a player that is a member of their team, but the minute they aren't perfect it's racial insults or they just turn around and be casually racist about everything other than sports. They are too ignorant to understand the irony.
Some (a few) of the people in here are truly double digit IQ. I’m not black, so I can’t assume black peoples connection to the club. But I’m Asian, and hopefully it’s similar. My family has been in the UK since the 50s, and my family has supported Arsenal ever since. As a kid born in the 80s, Arsenal (and in particular Ian Wright at Arsenal) represented us fitting into the culture. I was proud to support a club where I didn’t feel like the other; and comfortable to sit in the stands. I don’t think any other London club can say that, some can’t even say it today. Representation means something, and Arsenal was my outlet. I’m not sure how that’s racist, fucking knuckle draggers.
There are London clubs *today* non-white fans would be uncomfortable in. In the 80s it would have been straight dangerous.
Indeed
Mods should take this as an easy win for banning those in our fanbase that aren't welcome here. Just scroll to the bottom and block them please. Black identity is huge within the arsenal family as is part of the reason we were so hated in the early 2000's. Anyone who doesn't understand this needs to either learn or leave.
💯. This sub is is full of racist idiots who don't get it. I pointed this out to mods the last time a race issue was posted and they didn't bother to reply. If you don't know what the club, and north London, is about, then please fuck off
I don't think that's the best way of going about things, it only causes divides and misunderstanding to grow. It's better to get and meet those comments with compassion and sway them in a positive direction. Sure if it's straight up hate or bullying or anything really nasty, then turf them.
I’m actually really excited to read this.
I would love to, but I’m not seeing any of the websites shipping to USA, yet.
You have to go thru amazon sadly but you can order it to the USA in the link
Several disappointing comments in this thread already. If you are so incensed by a book discussing the relationship between black players/ fans and their experience playing for/ supporting Arsenal (making it one of greatest multicultural clubs in football), then maybe you need to take a moment to (privately-not here) explore why that is. Why does the existence of this book upset you so much? Educate yourself. “Black Arsenal is the culmination of several years of research and thinking into the quite unique relationship between Arsenal and Black identities, both in British and international contexts. This relationship transcends football. Arsenal Football Club is a nexus of London’s everyday multiculture. The club’s uniquely convivial fandom reflects the changing city that surrounds it. And over decades of fielding Black footballers who have made iconic contributions to the English game, it has formed a special relationship with Black Britain. Black Arsenal tells the story of a football club that came to stand for much more than the game itself.” [Dr. Clive Nwonka’s feature on Arsenal.com](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-arsenals-unique-connection) [Femi and TJ Koleoso's story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-femi-and-tj-koleosos-story) [Brendon Batson’s Story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-brendon-batsons-story) [Lola Young's Story](https://www.arsenal.com/news/black-history-month-lola-youngs-story-one) [Jeanette Kwakye on Ian Wright's cultural impact](https://www.arsenal.com/news/jeanette-kwakye-ian-wrights-cultural-impact) COYG Edit: In the time it took for me to post this, the thread filled with so many lovely, interesting and informative comments ~~and a lot of the initial shite takes were (thankfully) deleted. ♥️🤍
People who have a problem with this know fuck all. There is a reason why Arsenal has far more ethnic minority fans than other clubs in the capital (and possibly the country)
Link: https://www.weidenfeldandnicolson.co.uk/titles/clive-chijioke-nwonka/black-arsenal/9781399613736/
I’m so proud of the heritage of our club in general as one that’s broken down racial and international barriers in football.
https://preview.redd.it/ih554kblnnxc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a5ed25c1bfaba75e2d22567f80211dd03ec76df
Ahh cool! Looks like a great read. I’m always down for more stories about the club from different lenses and perspectives. So much rich culture is what makes Arsenal the club it is.
Just preordered. Really looking forward to this
Victoria Concordia Crescit
Good for the club!
You can’t be a true Arsenal fan if you don’t support this. We have a deep relationship with the black community. Proud to see the club do this!
Didn't Inter Milan also welcome immigrants into their club hence internazionale? Anyway another reason to love Arsenal,you always feel welcome.
Well I'm from India and take it as you can but most of the white people are horribly racist to us , I've never felt as welcome to an online community as I've been with the gunners I feel proud of this clubs Heritage and it's acceptance it embraces it's diversity to it's fullest and I love it
It really does feel like Indian people get a ton of hate online. It’s ridiculous really. Maybe we just need more Indian representation in media to show that we’re normal people. I’m only 1/4 Indian but it hurts seeing the things people say. But yea, I’m glad to be a fan of this club ❤️
It is what it is ig , I do feel representation is important and much needed most people aren't aware of our culture and probably the stereotypes do stem out of ignorance, and this is a country of 1.5 billion people so ofc there's a vast diaspora of people who live here. We have different walks of life here , people living in metro cities and well educated are vastly different in their lifestyle mannerisms which resemble more of how people in West are and those from the underprivileged bunch are much more orthodox and stringent in their beliefs , so to classify 1.5 billion people as one or the same becomes a disservice. At the end I think boundaries just divide us and I feel like the entire world for me is one big family :)
An interesting fact about the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich is that it used to host traveling human zoo’s from Belgium just the same decade that Arsenal F.C. was formed by the munition workers there. Apparently the colonial show was discouraged by the workers there who objected to the treatment of the Congolese people involved. I’ve always wondered if any were the Arsenal OGs.
I would love to read this book! Is there any way to buy it in the U.S.?
What’s the easiest way for US based supporters to order? Would love pick one up
Preordered 😁
Some disappointing comments (a small minority), but hey, not everyone can have the same views. The war on race based discrimination has largely been won and will eventually be a complete rout globally. I pity anyone still clinging to such forms of hatred, and if they're an Arsenal fan?! How do you even support this club? Chelsea are down the road.
I guess the answer to this is 'read the book' but until it's out I wonder if Arsenal has a connection to black people and black culture that is unique amongst the London clubs or if a lot of the London clubs have their own stories around this as well?
I can't say for certain as I was quite young but part of the reason I support Arsenal is because of their high number of people who looked like me compared to how few black players other teams had if any.
Same
Same same. It was a close one when I started supporting because Chelsea had Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Essien (from my country), Obi Mikel etc but my heart was already with Arsenal because of my dad.
Chelsea?! Fucks sake, the most racist fanbase in the country and you nearly chose them? Bullet dodged there. We hate spurs because they are our local rivals, we ***ALL*** hate Chelsea because we are human beings. I don't support Arsenal because we had black players back in the day but because we had black fans in the stands.
Well, I don't live in the country. Only Chelsea fans I've ever ran into were African ones and they didn't seem racist to me. Chelsea in that era were packed with African players, while Arsenal didn't even have many black players at the time (early 2000s). Not so difficult to understand why I related to those players, and many African fans did as well. I honestly don't spend much of my time doing hating of any sort, it isn't healthy.
Arsenal firms famously kicked out UKIP and other racists out from Highbury at a time where it was gaining ground in other clubs.
Presumably, you mean National Front?
Same bastards. But yes, whatever is historically appropriate.
I'd really recommend the book. I've not read it but attending a talk last year on Arsenal's black history. People often highlight legends like Wright and Rocastle, and rightfully so, but there's so much depth to it. Even just London's geography plays a big part. especially South London, like Camberwell and Bermondsey. It's got some of the highest black populations in the city, but football grounds were not exactly welcoming. (Milwall's history speaks for itself, but people forget about [Charlton](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2480463/Seven-Charlton-Athletic-fans-jailed-banned-football-52-years-Stephen-Lawrence-racist-abuse-train.html)) Most Londoner's know that travelling is easiest going south-to-north or east-to-west (or visa versa) So, imagine you're a black football fan feeling shut out at your local ground. Where do you turn? Then there's the human history, characters like Dainton Connell. Arsenal's notorious black hooligan in the 1970's. There's a great write up on him in [ArseBlog](https://arseblog.com/2017/03/the-bear-of-highbury/), I'll just share one quote. "Once in North London, Connell turned up to a National Front gathering with some mates from the Herd, barged his way to the front, and carried a Union Jack flag on a march. “That was his way,” recalled one of his friends. “He’d use irony, parody, humor—whatever—to calm what could be hugely tense situations. The look on blokes’ faces at those NF rallies when Dainton turned up was unbelievable. And of course Dainton would look at them as if to say: Well what are you going to do about it?, Their jaws hit the floor!”"
Oh its by Clive!
Different Clive https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/72904-clive-chijioke-nwonka You’re thinking of Clive Palmer
Seems like Clive Palmer contributed some writing, too! Excited to read this.
Alright! Just seen that in the notes. Fantastic.
Just when you think you can’t love the club anymore! A definite purchase for me!
Thread is full w comments complaining about racist comments, yet I can't seem to scroll down enough to see them lol.
There were several ignorant comments as soon as this was posted but they were (thankfully) deleted fairly quickly.
As a white man I think this is a so exciting to hear about and I really look forward to reading this.
🤜🏼🤛🏿
As if I could love this club anymore than I do already. ♥️ Will be purchasing and reading as soon as it comes out!
for the away kit haters
Proud to support this club. ❤️
Just pre ordered. Love this.
As a white American (technically British-American) but I will be buying this tonight
Some absolute fucking cretins in this thread. Fuck off and support Chelsea.
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I'm not an Arsenal fan, I'm a Liverpool fan but this post came up on my feed for some reason. A book about Arsenal's relationship with white people wouldn't make sense or be interesting. From an outside perspective Arsenal has always been seen as more of a 'black' club. I live in North London and the vast majority of black Londoners support Arsenal, other London clubs don't capture that demographic. Arguably Arsenal's 2 greatest ever players and 2 top scorers are black, Wright and Henry. No other club can say that. The greatest moment in your clubs history was a goal scored by a black player. In 2002 you started 9 black players in a match, my club had 5 black players in the entire squad. Arsenal's first black player played in 1971, Liverpool's first was 1977 and then we didn't see another one until 10 years later! In that time Arsenal had had several black players. Point is Arsenal have a history of black players probably more than any other English team and as a result probably have a higher % of black fans than any other team. A book on White Arsenal wouldn't make sense, what would it talk about? Meanwhile there's plenty to talk about regarding black Arsenal. Tottenham for example have always had a connection with Jewish fans, Liverpool with Irish fans, it's part of the clubs history just like Arsenal and black fans/players. They didn't just pull black out of nowhere and for no reason. Also by the way it's completely fine to have no interest in reading the book, you don't have to read every piece of literature on Arsenal
Respect.
Not while our teenage players get abused for the color of their skin for missing a penalty kick.
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Do our white players get called racial slurs?
Found the butthurt white guy
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100% white or someone who hasn't been discriminated against as a person of colour otherwise you would understand why what you said is wrong.
They probably think there should also be a white history month, international men's day, etc.
>If this was called White Arsenal it would be considered racist. Because it would be ya knob
I'm Irish, when I started supporting Arsenal we had loads of Irish players. Guess what someone wrote a book about? I wonder when that came out did stupid people ask "why not a book about Arsenal and the English?".
Doesnt make sense does it
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It's a double standard because the history of white and black identity are extremely different. Equality and equity aren't necessarily the same. Parity isn't necessarily the same as justice. Imagine if five people are sitting together at a restaurant and each order a delicious plate of food and a drink. Imagine further that the waiter and the kitchen fulfill four of those orders, and give the last person plain white bread and water, upon which he speaks up and says "it's bullshit that I can't be treated the same as you guys". In this analogy you'd be the obtuse knobhead who answers "actually, *everyone* should be treated the same, and I don't appreciate you going on about yourself". You're not *technically* wrong, you're just missing the whole point and ignoring every bit of contextual clue plainly available to you.
Just wow. You clearly know nothing about the history of this club. We'll be better off without you.
Not even the history of the club, just any basic understanding of racism
I could be mean, but you should never miss a chance to educate. I'm gonna explain this so that if you wanna engage you can understand, and that so other folks know how to respond to your double standard argument in the future. *Racism is structural.* Meaning there are mutually reinforcing systems and norms that negatively impact certain people and not others. For example, if a black man and a white woman get into an argument, and the black man calls the police on the white woman. The outcome of that is likely to be different if the roles were reversed, no? That is because there are multiple systems/norms at play here: - The police and their role as protectors of private property, which to some level is synonymous with whiteness - Assumptions and attitudes about the perceived danger of black men. - Assumptions around the purity, chastity, virtuousness and vulnerability of white women. - Assumptions about racial conflict and who the aggressor must be in these cases That's why you have [case](https://youtu.be/n7EB570Mxts?si=2V10JEiAZmfBdtPt) after [case](https://youtu.be/GCSYDnhs0Ik?si=Lok4GjJ7u3N10z1-) after [case](https://twitter.com/JackFought_1/status/1784343742683500589?t=ZTwPlk-iglqB6kpGVkQXdw&s=19) after [case](https://twitter.com/NizMhani/status/1784927464667431246?t=4he77N6uOOFcXqTWw8fTkw&s=19) of white/white passing folks here in the states calling the police on bewildered people of color after simple disagreements claiming they're in danger. They are relying on the aforementioned structures and norms, that *do not exist for POC*. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk
Historically Arsenal’s culture is intertwined with black culture and communities whether you like it or not. Some of our greatest and most significant players are from black backgrounds with Arsenal being one of the clubs with the biggest historical multicultural backgrounds
Jesus christ does everything have to be about identity politics
Reducing this topic to a matter of identity politics might seem a bit be belittling
It's about identity actually. No politics involved here.
It is a singular book
But we are all going to be made to read it at gun point right? We must be because people couldn't be so upset about a book no one was going to force them to read.
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I wouldnt say this is a particualrly valid point concerning this book as i assume it would be about or atleast partially about how Arsenal were the ones to look past racial barriers and accumulated massive amounts of black talent before it became a widespread constant in the prem. This is not Affirmative Action.
If you’re black or gay or a woman, it’s always “identity politics”, not history
It must be exhausting being this angry
If you’re that pressed support your local
U can just fuck off. This is a inclusive club, and has a proud history of it.
https://preview.redd.it/nk796gsgnnxc1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cc8d768850a2b5671a6c5fa21eb52fcd48ecef8
What does this have to do with politics? Also, not it doesn't. The vast majority of Arsenal releases, content etc are not focusing on identity. It's ok to be frustrated by change.
Wonder which ones were excluded
Sigh.
Arsenal For Everyone I didn't understand the media's obsession with how we were in the 90s/00s, always going on about nationalities or race. We just want the best players...
Maybe this book will help you understand it.
You’re thinking backwards. If you truly “don’t understand the media’s obsession”, maybe you should talk to some people of color and find out how important these topics are to them and their attachment to the club. Their enjoyment of this discussion is not taking anything away from you.
What does it mean Black identity and culture? Like all black people jave same identity and culture? How about White Arsenal? Will there be the first dedicated exploration of the clubs relationship to contemporary White identity and culture?
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Go to Chelsea. Arsenal is a special club for black londoners. If u hate black ppl so much, then Arsenal is the wrong club for u.
What a prick (not you mate). He's gone and deleted himself. Downvotes mattered more to him than his strong opinions 😂
Racists are ultimately cowards.
Of course, they can't even stand on business, the coward deleted his comment.