Is it time to drop Yid, Yiddo, Yid Army chants?
Last week a survey questionnaire popped into the inbox of Spurs season ticket holders and members, part of THFC's consultation on the use of the "Y word". We commend THFC for initiating a conversation with fans, and for taking a responsible leading role in this important conversation. The issue has been rumbling around in a pretty high-profile way for a couple of years now, and it will keep coming back if we do not address it and deal with it.The FA has issued a statement, and even the Prime Minister has commented on it. It is better that we take a proactive role and lead and steer the conversation, rather than being pushed onto the back foot, constantly having to explain, defend, justify, or deny.
As to whether "Yid" should be dropped, I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, "we'll sing what we want". The problem is not with our use of the word Yid: Spurs fans have taken ownership of what has been used a racist term of abuse and reclaimed it with pride. Other communities have done the same with the word "queer" and the "N word". We do not use the word with intent to offend; quite the reverse. The problem lies with others - it is illogical that Spurs fans are being criticised for using the word, and it would be downright perverse if a Spurs fan were to be arrested for "using threatening, abusive or insulting words" simply for chanting Yid Army or Yiddo. The FA and the Metropolitan Police are being naive if they think this is the way to deal with the issue.
On the other hand, racism is abhorrent and society has to challenge it. Words do have power; the fact that Spurs fans are not being antisemitic does not stop other people from using the word in a racist fashion. Personally, I have always felt uneasy hearing the word Yid in chants, and I don't use it myself (lily livered, middle class, wuss that I am). On one level, the Y word is used simply because it is part of the songbook. I wouldn't use the "N word" either; over time that word has become clearly unacceptable. And if we're thinking about chants and songs, consider what has happened with "Eany, meany, miny, mo ..." (if you're old enough to remember the original words). During one of the recent flurries of online debate, Twitter revealed that some Spurs fans did not even realise what the word Yid meant. (Truly).
My own view is that we should stop using the word Yid now, but we should drive the change ourselves from within.
But how? I do get annoyed that some individuals present the issue as if it is straightforward and clear cut. It is not. It is complex, and is tied up with issues of club history, identity, loyalty, traditional rivalries, and pride, as well as race. As a football fan, David Baddiel must know that. Baddiel's film, part of Kick Racism Out of Football, would be more powerful, and more likely to succeed, if it explicitly acknowledged that there is a significant difference between Spurs fans' Yid chants and the despicable antisemitic songs from some West Ham or Chelsea fans. David - you'd be better trying to get Spurs fans on side, rather than antagonising them.
Is it really a sensible strategy to antagonise Spurs fans and try to force change from the outside by threatening arrest? That will simply rile loyal fans, increase stubborn defiance, and make the desired outcome all the more difficult. If we Spurs fans decided ourselves, voluntarily, to drop the word, we could get such massive R.E.S.P.E.CT. Show that Tottenham Hotspur has awesome, intelligent fans, with a respectful club heritage. Show that we are better than the racists and we are proud of our diverse community. Show integrity and dignity, and claim the racially aware and socially responsible high ground.
Agatha
