Dreams of Madrid

Vinícius Júnior and the Spanish reality.

When African footballers become targets for racial abuse there comes attached the suggestion if they wish to avoid abuse they should carry themselves in ways that don’t incite anger. It is prescribed that a self-imposed dehumanisation will block the cascade of dehumanisation dripping from the terraces. The tacit implication being racism is a weapon to be drawn whenever boundaries are breached.

Racist abuse as a last resort is a fundamental misunderstanding. This supposes only the tensest situations rouse racism. Less dramatic is the truth; nuclear power is not required to trigger racism. That impetus lies latent beneath the surface and the slightest hint of unacceptable behaviour sparks a reaction.

The preponderance of cases where African footballers have been abused suggests—proves—where it is culturally accepted, racist chants or gestures are used as a primary method to police behaviour and return Africans to their supposed place.

Spain has allowed such a culture to thrive. On what feels like a weekly basis incidents transpire with players being abused for little more than being black.

Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior is the chief target of Spanish racists and racism. The Brazilian has blossomed into one of Europe’s most devastating wide players. His mix of dribbling, speed, finishing, and combination play helped Real Madrid win nine trophies in five seasons. In two consecutive years, Vinícius has scored 20 goals and assisted 20 more in all competitions, cementing his status as world class.

Valencia hosted Madrid on Sunday, and after 70 minutes the match was suspended when Vinícius told the referee he heard racist abuse from the crowd. Twenty-five minutes later, again confronting the Mestalla, Vinícius and Valencia’s Hugo Duro became entangled. Duro practiced martial arts around Vinícius’ neck, the Brazilian retaliated by hitting Duro.

That response resulted in a red card for the Madrid forward, and he left to a chorus of taunts and boos from Valencia’s home support.

It was the fifth documented incident of racist abuse directed at Vinícius this season. Last September, Atletico Madrid supporters abused him for celebrating. They returned in January by burning an effigy above a bridge leading to Real Madrid’s training ground. Between those instances, both Real Valladolid and Mallorca fans stood accused of abusing Vinícius. Sunday was not isolated, it is reflective of a pattern rife throughout Spanish football.

Those attempting to explain this behaviour suggest Vinícius does it to himself by “provoking” opposition fans. These provocative actions include dancing after scoring and confronting things he finds disagreeable.

Behaviour provokes behaviour—life could be defined as a series of provocations and one’s responses to them—so it is a cheap excuse, but sanctioning skin colour as an item to retort perceived provocation is an odd justification and obfuscation.

If provocation itself generates monkey noises, Antoine Griezmann doing Fortnight dances after scoring goals shouldn’t make monkey chants disappear; but behaviour doesn’t determine the response. It is the notion an African would impose themselves as anything more than what they’re meant to be that disrupts an unspoken agreement.

That agreement is the presence of African people on European soil is tolerated if one does their work and partakes in the fruits of their labour, but only does so in ways that cause the least amount of dissonance.

Demanding permission to act as one’s full self in all its joy, sadness, happiness, and anger is not possible. Those permissions are conditionally loaned so long as they don’t infringe upon relative morality. When Vinicius scores and celebrates, it is revealed his joy is on loan. When he completes a dribble and smiles, it is revealed his happiness is on loan. When he is tackled harshly and responds with frustration, it is revealed his anger is on loan. Any truthful acknowledgement or expression of his feelings turns into a basis upon which Spanish society justifies racist replies, as his full humanity is judged to be testing the boundary of acceptability.

Taken from Sunday school, Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judaea during the time of Jesus’ death. When Jesus was brought to Pilate for questioning he found nothing to warrant death and offered a choice between the rabbi or a murderer named Barabbas to be pardoned. The crowd attending shouted for Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ execution. Avoiding conflict with Jewish leaders, Pilate made the politically expedient choice and followed the cries of crucifixion—but to show the rabbi’s blood was not on him, Pilate symbolically washed his hands.

The washing of hands is La Liga’s response to racism. They seem content waiting for fans inside Spanish football stadiums to absorb anti-racist campaigns or (as those campaigns fail) waiting for the Spanish government to adjudicate claims of racist abuse—absolving itself of the burden to make hard decisions.

As shocked as many appear after incidents like Sunday, one must admit the lack of action. Players don’t do enough. Managers don’t do enough. Clubs don’t do enough. Fans don’t do enough. The media don’t do enough. Why would the pattern cease with federations and governments? Apathy is abundantly clear—not just in Spain but European football.

Were there a genuine interest in damming the obscenities overflowing onto the pitch, those in power would use their power. Instead they issue empty platitudes, create wooden campaigns, and bolster toothless organisations designed to stop “all forms of discrimination.” They dare not form their lips to say or fingers to type “anti-African racism.”

Hardly does the hammer fall on those who deserve to be nailed.

Another suggestion states racism is a societal problem, therefore society must end racism for racist abuse to stop in football, but the toothpaste is out of the proverbial tube. Some will tarry until Earth is enveloped by the Sun on that point. While waiting for the oceans to boil, meaningful measures can be taken to stamp racial abuse inside football grounds by leagues and federations.

Forget changing hearts and minds. Having European crowds care so deeply about African people they shed racism like a snake is not required. Stadiums can be emptied. Games can be untelevised. Money can be fined. Points can be docked. Clubs can be relegated. None of those require the helping hands of federal governments, only the willingness to act. The current disposition of rinsing hands hoping to wash away responsibility is a state of cowardice and indifference.

Playing in the Santiago Bernabéu with 80,000 people attending and wearing the iconic white kit of Real Madrid is a dream only a handful of people are fortunate to realise. Growing up in relative poverty in Brazil, Vinícius would have snatched the opportunity to play for Madrid faster than his heart beats, and he left home as an 18-year-old to actualise his mission as a precocious footballer.

In doing so he lives his dream—and that of millions—but the dream is Real Madrid, not Spain.

Spain is required to have the experience, but the journeys players like Vinícius undertake are more a function of their love and acumen for the sport than some desire to live in the places they ultimately arrive. As it happens, football’s most prestigious club is based in Madrid. This necessitates playing across Spain and exposing one's self to Spanish culture which is insular and backward. Were there a way to play for Real Madrid and divorce it from Spain more than several Madrid players would test the technology.

This awareness is important as one thinks about where the African athlete imagines themselves, where ever they are: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia.

Of what are dreams made and what are they worth? Vinícius is on a path to lift himself and generations of his family from poverty created by Portuguese imperialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and Brazilian society. Suffering in Spain to alleviate that history is perhaps something he is prepared to do, but he shouldn't have to suffer. Making Brazil somewhere that can contain the dreams of talents like Vinícius is the short-term goal; making the African continent that place is the long-term goal. It is evident Spain have the container but lack the empathy or impetus to make it habitable. One shouldn’t be so hungry they must eat at a dinner table with people who hate them. A table of equal measure should exist where one can dine in peace.

Seeing the 22-year-old well up with tears and staring with disbelief into Valencia's crowd, one saw his dreams of Madrid shatter. For many who leave the comfort of home to pursue green pastures and discover deserts of sand in their place, the feeling is all too close. 🎯