Stuart Waiton: Football and double standards of the woke over free speech – HeraldScotland

THE hypocrisy of those who claim the mantle of progress was recently exposed in a variety of unusual settings.

First off, we had the strange cancelling of Novara Media on YouTube for apparently breaching some obscure community guideline. Cue outrage from the Corbyn-supporting group and from Gary McQuiggin, Novaras head of video, who rightly argued, Whether or not you agree with what we publish, it shouldnt be the whim of giant tech companies to delete us overnight with no explanation.

Hear hear, Mr McQuiggan. This is clearly a man of principle who understands the dangerous power of Big Tech companies determining who can speak on these most important public platforms.

But is this the same Mr McQuiggan who, in 2020, when discussing the problem of people cancelled online said: Its not censorship when a private company decides to remove you from its platform. You dont have an inalienable right to a Twitter account.

READ MORE: Why we need free expression

For this man, it appears there are important principles for some, ie himself, but not for others.

Next up we have the outrageous Crystal Palace fans who dared to cross their masters by unfurling a banner of their own, mocking the new Saudi owners of Newcastle United.

The banner raised questions that many commentators and football pundits had raised about the lack of ethics involved in owning a football club in the UK. The banner read: Owners Test: Terrorism, Beheadings, Civil Rights Abuses, Murder, Censorship, Persecution.

Rather than celebrate these fans who appear to have educated themselves about the oppressive nature of the Saudi regime and the hypocrisy of the politically correct Football Association, the Palace fans in question found themselves under investigation from the police who claim the banner could be offensive and possibly racist.

The mistake these silly fans made was to think that, at a time when sport is being filled up with political campaigns and expressions of virtue, they had a right to think for themselves and express their own opinions. Get back in your box, you uncouth hoi polio, well tell you when to take the knee.

READ MORE: Politics and sport don't mix

Then we have the case of South African cricketer Quinton de Kock who, along with his teammates, was instructed to Take the Knee, before their T20 match against the West Indies. De Kock, who is from a mixed-race family refused cue more outrage with demands for Quinton to justify himself.

Quinton has apologised for thinking for himself. He now understands that when they scream Educate Yourself, what they really mean is, Do as youre told.

And finally, we have the hilarious incident of the Netflix protesters who oppose the allegedly transphobic comedian Dave Chappelle.

These progressives had to contest with the counter-protesting comedian, Vito Gesualdi, who came along to the demonstration with his outrageous placard that read, We Like Dave. One protestor grabbed the placard and smashed it up, stamping on it and leaving Gesualdi with nothing but the stick left. Cue more outrage from the placard stamper who now pointed at the stick and screamed, Hes got a weapon, Hes got a weapon!

One of the protestors repeatedly swore and screamed, Repent into the face of the remarkably well-humoured Gesualdi who explained out loud, I dont know why all the violence. I dont know why all the hate. I just love Dave Chappelle! Dave Chappelle! Woooo!

The key report of the incident came from the progressive and principled Associated Press who describe themselves as a body with a long-standing role setting the industry standard for ethics in journalism. And yet the picture of Gesualdi released by the Associated Press had a caption falsely claiming he screams profanities as he engages with peaceful protestors begging him to leave.

So, for all modern progressives out there who want to challenge fake news, hypocrisy, hatred and violence, including the huge power and violence of the state, I have a suggestion. Take a look at yourselves and ask, Have I become a man without qualities?.

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Stuart Waiton: Football and double standards of the woke over free speech - HeraldScotland