Medele Alexandre Kao

Ian Wright is a footballing & cultural treasure. His bravery to perfectly articulate & spark uncomfortable conversations is so powerful. The lack of empathy from people demonstrates an unconscious privilege & no lived suffering / experience. Bellingham, Sterling, Rashford, Saka, Lewis-Skelly, Pogba, Lingard, the names change but the treatment doesn't. Confidence, bravado & outgoing black footballers spark insecurity & hate. The Kante & Pogba analogy couldn't be more accurate. Jack Grealish's behaviour is bulletproof, Phil Foden can cheat on his partner on England duty - the treatment & coverage is not the same. White players have been brutalised, but that's merging two separate issues. The intent is different & it's not a justification either. Craig Hope, Richard Keys, Matt Law, we see you.

It’s so uncomfortable yet too familiar watching the attack on Jude Bellingham‘s character because he won’t just smile and be grateful to be playing for England. Because he won’t contort to fit in the box some want to squeeze him in. Because he dares to back himself, to know his worth, to do things that are right for him even if it’s different or unpopular. Because he decided against the Premier League to go from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund then Real Madrid. Because his close circle don’t subscribe to being matey to get good PR. Because adidas made an advert about him. Because he declined doing media duties at the Euros, directly addressed the pile-on he faced, and called out being scapegoated. Because he didn’t just let people talk “rubbish,” he responded. Because he is HIM - but he’s just meant to smile and be grateful to play for England. Check your microaggressions, not Jude Bellingham