This past weekend in Berlin was one of mixed fortunes to this casual observer. On the one hand Hertha put on a fairly miserable display on the pitch with: a two nil loss, Haraguchi picking up a red card with a two match ban, Darida conceding a penalty and also getting injured in the same game. From what I can see both decisions were correct and the result of poor decisions on the field from our players. On the other hand the unseasonably warm weather for mid-October did bring some consolation to the beleaguered Hertha fan.
Perhaps the most notable event of the day from the worlds press perspective came before play even started as the team and coaching staff took part in “take a knee” in solidarity with the protest movement from the USA. This was a statement against the social grievances and structural racism against the black population in that country. The protest was created by the NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who knelt dduring the American national anthem. Hertha was the first German team to show such solidarity.
Perhaps the most notable event of the day from the worlds press perspective came before play even started as the team and coaching staff took part in “take a knee” in solidarity with the protest movement from the USA. This was a statement against the social grievances and structural racism against the black population in that country. The protest was created by the NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who knelt dduring the American national anthem. Hertha was the first German team to show such solidarity.
| There has been some criticism of this stand in the German tabloid press but also some Hertha fans. They speculate that it may have been done for purely marketing reasons and not related to any solidarity to a distant cause. The Hertha English Twitter account the tweet shown here to flag up the protest which I felt was crafted very well and really struck a chord with me at least. I guess we will never know the driving force behind the action to the satisfaction of some but, as far as I am concerned it sits well with me and is consistent with a tolerant and open city that has welcomed so many into its heart. |  |
The quotes from players and Michael Preetz after the game I felt were heartening.
After the game Hertha captain on the day - Per Skjelbred said "We wanted to make a stand against racism"
Michael Preetz spoke to the press about the gesture saying: "We live in times in which football clubs, who are very much in the spotlight, must work out how to position themselves, and this is in tune with the values and the philosophy of Hertha Berlin. "I've been here for 21 years, and we've always been against discrimination of any kind and against racism. We are Berlin. We are an open-minded city, and we stand for diversity, and that's what the team and the club wanted to stand up for today."
| The cynics out there may believe the action to be “stupid” or “pure marketing but this stance by the team is nothing new. It has not been plucked out of the air to get on a bandwagon from over the pond. It is also consistent with a number of Hertha fan groups including, amongst others Axel Kruse Jugend and Hertha für Alle. |  |
Perhaps the most telling statement of all comes from our very own Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou –
"Hertha always stands against racism. If we can fight against that as a team, and as the city of Berlin, then that's something we want to do. I think Hertha is living a good example to fight against this phenomenon."
"The idea comes from the whole team. We stand against racism and we will always fight this behaviour as a team, as a city."
I rest my case.
"Hertha always stands against racism. If we can fight against that as a team, and as the city of Berlin, then that's something we want to do. I think Hertha is living a good example to fight against this phenomenon."
"The idea comes from the whole team. We stand against racism and we will always fight this behaviour as a team, as a city."
I rest my case.
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