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.
Du Bois marked a great stage in the history of Negro struggles when he said that Negroes could no longer accept the subordination which Booker T. Washington had preached.
You will be faced, now, with pain of a magnitude that none of us here can comprehend because it is beyond our experience. The Receiver himself was not able to describe it, only to remind us that you would be faced with it, that you would need immense courage.
I began revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.
Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.
Let's empower men and help them take a stand to stop acts of violence against women.
I spent 24 years in the closet wanting to talk so desperately about who I was and what I am but too afraid to.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.