Could he be the most influential Black person in the game?
I have to say my football knowledge leaves a lot to be desired. However, No one can deny the talent and charisma of the now deceased Diego Maradona. Mourned by many, not just in the football world, I have to say even I feel his death is a great loss. I can’t deny he was indeed a legend.
A national hero, in my opinion is Marcus Rashford MBE, a legend in the making. Here’s why:
At the tender age of 23, not only is he a phenomenal Premiership and England International football player, he has championed local, national and government initiatives to support struggling families in Britain.
Coming from humble beginnings himself, he has lived experience of how low income and poverty can affect our day to day lives and our future. No one can deny the value of lived experience rather than being told.
Rashford’s major achievements outside the Premiership are vast but to list a few.
His IN THE BOX homeless charity campaign in 2019 encouraged members of the public to fill shoe boxes with essentials to help the growing number of homeless people in shelters in Manchester; the partnership with Selfridges allowed the public to also drop their boxes there.
This year he successfully lobbied the government into a U-Turn for Free School Meals during the summer holidays. An initiative which affected 1.3m children in Britain as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
This has subsequently been extended until May 2021.
Amazingly, he also launched a book club this year in collaboration with McMillan Children’s Books to promote reading and literacy. His first book YOU ARE A CHAMPION: Unlock Your Potential, Find Your Voice and Be the BEST You Can Be. awaiting publication and available in May 2021.
Drawn from stories Marcus’s own life to show young people aged 11-16 years that success is all about the mindset. He teaches how positive thinking can change their life, build mental resilience, how to navigate adversity, and discover the unstoppable power of their own voice. This is the type role model, inspiration and legendary attributes I want for my 9-year-old son.
Marcus commented “The educational gap is widening. If we want to ‘level up’ we must show children the power of language, where it can take them and how it can help them navigate this changing world.
It’s clear that that this young man’s philanthropic efforts continue to make an impact on the lives of the less fortunate and he truly does care for their futures. This so warms my heart and gives me hope for the future of my own son. As a black mother to a wonderful black boy, watching the way young black men such as Marcus are depicted in the media causes anxiety. My son regularly receives awards for his academic achievements and social contributions at primary school. To think that he could somehow be criticised for his efforts to do good as an adult is painful. How must Marcus’ mother feel?
In recent news it was reported that Marcus had purchased properties for his family; something most people would do in his financial position. However, in response to the press, he defended his right to spend his own money how he saw fit, “I need to protect not just my future, but my family’s too”
With all these life changing initiatives under his belt, one would wonder how or why anyone would try to fault him?
However, subtle language undertones strenuously suggest this. The media and the press have in fact been doing this for years. Have the press developed their own micro aggressions towards young Black successful men?
The Daily Mail’s headline alone puts an unnecessary negative slant on Marcus Rashford MBE’s achievements and questions his authenticity.
The Daily Mash makes this point perfectly in their response to this. They suggest it’s “deeply hypocritical that Marcus Rashford uses his own money to buy fancy houses, while campaigning for hungry children to be fed”
Marcus felt the need to respond to such rhetoric and stated “Please don’t ruin stories like that with references to campaigning. “ Similar treatment was used in report about Raheem Sterling in 2018.
This is something that you don’t see with his White counterparts. There is clear difference, inequality and a display of white privilege. The same newspaper when reporting on teenage Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden in 2018, takes a very different approach to reporting in essence the same news. They commend him for setting up his future and that of his family. Phil Foden did not have to defend his purchase as he was applauded in the press. Neither should Black players!!
In my opinion Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford MBE actually appear to be more savvy when purchasing property and have managed to bag a lot more for their buck! I’m just saying…..
This all leads me to ask…
Are Black football stars held to the same standard as their White counterparts? The subtle nuances in the language used in these articles suggest not.
Ok. So indeed, there have been many influential Black people over the years in the beautiful game; Pelé, John Barnes, Ian Wright, Arthur Walton, not to mention the first black known female football in Britton Emma Clarke born 1876, just to mention a few. I feel it’s clear that Marcus Rashford MBE can fairly be considered as football’s ‘Man of the moment.’
Just to reiterate, I am NOT a football expert, but I would guess that one WOULD HAVE TO BE a phenomenal player to reach the highest accolade in his profession by the tender age of 18. Playing at international level for England is no mean feat.
Pretty phenomenal, I think.
I do realise that many football players do great charity work who perhaps aren’t as prominent in the media now. However, I really don’t think this is the point.
What does this guy have to do to catch a break? He’s done everything right.
He’s a great role model, straightlaced, no shocking media scandals and looks after his family and community. He’s reached the pinnacle of his career at a young age and uses his platform to do good.
And in case you’ve missed it, he’s also been awarded an MBE!
It seems like so many great Black Men he can’t do right for doing wrong. What does Marcus Rashford MBE have to do to be given his dues?
So, I ask again:
Are Black Footballers held to the same standard as their White counterparts and considered in equal stature? I suggest not!!!
Carla Richardson
Very good read and very well written. I totally agree that the media have a way of suterly and sometimes not to suterly undermining someone achievements and this becomes all so clear with reference to BAME. Hopefully real articles such as this will change the way the media informs it’s information
Awesome review of an inspirational public visionary. It embeds the realisation of racism & ignorance in the face of a very public platform.
Well written Carla
I totally agree with all your sentiments, l think all too often black men in public eye are judged with totally different standards than their white counterparts. It happens in all fields and abroad too (thinking of how Chris Brown is vilified/unforgiven for his assault on Rihanna, but the crimes of men like Charlie Sheen are continually excused), l hope that the tide is turning as more people of colour work for the main news outlets,and that platforms like AFT and this excellent blog post help to address the balance.
A really well written piece about a “legend in the making”. It’s nice to read about his achievements and accolades whilst also challenging the negative media he has received and rightfully questioning whether black footballers are held to the same standard as their white counter parts. I think as an ethnic minority we are generally not held to the same standard and often have to prove our worth over and above our white counter parts.
We need more pieces like this that challenge how society depicts successful black individuals.
I believe his actions are worthy of a knighthood- what more does he have to achieve/do to deserve that recognition.
I look forward to reading more peices bu Carla.
Your spot on with your analysis and review. The question is why isn’t the British media itself being held accountable for their negative stereotyping of black men? They two are part of the systems of oppression of black people. Instead of highlighting achievements when they try to achieve greatness, but instead they choose to write negative stories.
Wow. A compelling piece that really highlights the inequity persistently shown by the British media. I love that Marcus doesn’t play into politics and ensures the focus remains on the cause he is addressing. He’s a great example of a Black British man, which is why the media don’t represent him as such, it doesn’t feed the stereotype white privilege so depends on.
Your spot on with your analysis and review. The question is why isn’t the British media itself being held accountable for their negative stereotyping of black men? They two are part of the systems of oppression of black people. Instead of highlighting achievements when they try to achieve greatness, but instead they choose to write negative stories.