The Inclusion, Diversity and Gender Network Blog

Dr Louise Taylor (Bunce), Principal Lecturer Student Experience, Oxford Brookes University Louise.E.Taylor@brookes.ac.uk Please note: This post is written from my perspective as a white woman, who was born and lives in the UK. There has been an extraordinary level of media coverage over the last year of issues relating to race and racism, both in the UK and the USA. This reflects the heightened level of awareness and outrage that many of us have had, and continue to have, over the mistreatment of Black* people and the disadvantages they face in a predominantly white society. From the unnecessary death of George Floyd caused by police officers, to the disproportionate impact of Covid-19, to the royal racism scandal, Black people continue to be underserved and discriminated against by our inherently racist social structures and institutions. Despite this, there is comparatively less written about how we might start to change our attitudes and behaviour in order to redress these imbal

 This blog will be discussing my current research project, which focuses on antisemitism in British football. I began researching antisemitism in sport when undertaking my undergraduate studies, I became interested in the topic when my family members were discussing the anti-Semitic abuse Tottenham Hotspurs , also known as Spurs, receive. I hope that this project will encourage the conversation on antisemitism and will make individuals more aware of its prevalence within the football field, and in society more broadly. Antisemitism is a global issue, with 26% of the world’s population admitting they harbour anti-Semitic views . In short, antisemitism is the suspicion, dislike or hatred of Jewish individuals or groups.   Antisemitism can include, but is not limited to, claims that Jews are too powerful, too rich and part of the capitalist oppressor class. It also includes myths,   conspiracies and/or claims that Jews control the media, economy, government or other societal institution