There has been more than enough to be proud of when it comes to being a Celtic supporter of late. A League Cup win, a record equalling 9-in-row campaign and being on the cusp of a quadruple treble, is all enough to fill a supporter of Celtic to bursting point with pride. On field achievements are what the club strives for every year and when those hopes and dreams are rewarded with silverware it makes for a special bond between the club and the supporters.
What is happening in the US requires no hacksplaining, the ongoing protests certainly won’t have escaped anyone in the Celtic support. It will have struck a chord with all of us aware of our own families’ historical social exclusion and ostracising as a minority in this country.
Phil Mac Giolla Bháin was enlightening yesterday. He included a quote that resonated when I read it last night. It sums up the frustration and hurt that many US citizens feel at this time, and with nowhere left to turn they can only protest against the authorities they should be able to rely upon to protect them:
“Ordinary people only face down the state when the functionaries of that state have made every other stance impossible”.
Make no mistake this was something as a football club, some would have advised Celtic steer well clear of, maintain a silence may well have been advice given had such guidance been sought.
However much like Liverpool FC players taking the knee in a show of solidarity for the protestors across the Atlantic, so the Celtic players sent their own message of support, some of whom have been pictured in our colours in protest in the US.
A Celtic fan demonstrating in Philadelphia ☮️💚 pic.twitter.com/86QwEbvYoG
— McCulley 19 (@19Mcculley) June 2, 2020
It was a decent gesture and one that filled us with both hope and a re-assurance that in a world where things feel like they are changing and heading for a state of flux, Celtic remain constant in support for those feeling the force of oppression.
As Celtic tweeted yesterday the club shows solidarity with those impacted and feeling a sense of loss and helplessness:
‘As a club open to all since 1888, #CelticFC stands firmly against all forms of prejudice. #BlackLivesMatter’
As a club open to all since 1888, #CelticFC stands firmly against all forms of prejudice. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/1hgQGsgi72
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) June 2, 2020
That picture of the Celtic players holding ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ signs aloft was something I hadn’t expected and when it was sent to me, I felt a genuine sense of pride in a club that at times has made me question their stance of being ‘a club like no other’ that somehow that statement had become a soundbite, had lost its meaning and become a marketing slogan, a message I feared had become diluted.
Yesterday showed that the term remains relevant and that our club remains aware of its roots. There was a sense of reassurance in that picture.
#BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/pqwOlglLWV
— LouMun 67 (@lfmunro) June 2, 2020
The ‘Black Lives Matter’ message was continued online with support shown by Odsonne Edouard, who shared an image of a black screen with the message “Black Lives Matter #BlackoutTuesday”. There were further messages from ex Celt Kieran Tierney and from St Pauli in Germany.
As much as Celtic’s resurgence and domestic dominance has become a real sense of pride for Celtic supporters over the last decade and more, yesterday showed there is more to the club than the game itself, much, much more.
Down south many clubs joined in on “Black Lives Matter #BlackoutTuesday” one being West Brom. Have a look at this little interchange from Twitter yesterday afternoon.
A round of applause please for West Brom!
Everyday I’m proud to call myself a Celtic supporter, yesterday simply reaffirmed that faith. But the contrast across the city was stark with their Vanguard Bears fans group showing their true colours by their disgraceful tweets about George Floyd – surely decent, more moderate Rangers supporters must be the ones who take a stance on this? It’s their problem. The Scottish Sun tackles the issue if you want to read about it. Warning, the offensive tweets are included so be prepared. We aren’t going to show them on The Celtic Star.
Back to Celtic. “For those who are oppressed, in song you can protest”. Let the people sing.
Niall J
Wow! Excellent Truthful Response! Bless him. 🤲🙏 pic.twitter.com/N94Mm0PtLg
— mary pay (@warrioroftrut) June 3, 2020
*Team Photo at top courtesy of Celtic FC.
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