A child comes to see his father play, have fun, make people happy, and what does he see? He sees people booing his father for being black. They make monkey noises. They throw bananas at his teammates and all that.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the challenges and racism faced by a public figure, as seen through the eyes of his child.
In this poignant statement, Samuel Eto'o reflects on the painful experience of witnessing the racist treatment directed towards his father during a public game. The child's innocent perspective contrasts sharply with the cruel reality of racism, emphasizing how such acts not only affect individuals but also deeply impact their families, showcasing the broader social issue of discrimination in sports and society.
In practice
During a speech against racism in sports, this quote could highlight the impact on athletes' families.
Why don't you think we should dream of an African team winning the World Cup for the first time? People never allow this thought to cross their minds, and it is shameful. When you try to even say it, people look at you as if you're joking, but they forget that dreaming is the first step to success.
In all things, you need a good organization. You can have the best player in the world; if you do not have the best team, you will not win.
Football is beautiful. Football is beautiful because whether you win, draw, or lose, you can go and shake your opponent's hand, whether they're white or black or red or blue.
If you believe in something and have the strength not to give up, it can happen. I am the living proof it can be done.
My dream was to become a footballer, hope to become the best someday. And I worked for it. And I'll tell you that the work is the magic of success.
Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.
Some boys accepted me, some didn't. And my family had comments made to them. Brazil is still a very macho society, and sports are mainly for boys, so people would say to them: 'What is this girl doing? Why is she always out there in the soccer games with the boys?'
Sometimes the riskiest decision you can make is to do nothing.
One must need to be strong, otherwise one will never become strong.
I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.
I could not rest, Watson, I could not sit quiet in my chair, if I thought that such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the streets of London unchallenged.
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