After the news that three Tottenham fans will defend their use of the word 'yid' in a landmark court case, we discuss the impact on the wider society.
The Tottenham Three
“We’re not the racists, we’re proud to be yids.” So the song goes.
It comes as no surprise that three Tottenham Hotspur supporters were charged by the police for the use of the word ‘yid’.
In order to get some closure on an issue that’s rumbled on for years, it could be supposed that the impending court case is a positive thing. It’s just frustrating that it’s three Spurs fans that’ll be in the dock, when it’s clear that the actual racism and vitriol comes mostly from fans of Chelsea, West Ham and Leeds.
For decades we have been subjected to hissing noises – intended to mimic the sound of gas chambers – jibes about foreskins, and songs about Adolf Hitler, punctuated only by the chant of “Sieg Heil”. Rightly Tottenham fans and Jewish people alike were (and remain) disgusted.
We did the only thing we could do; we embraced the Jewish element within our fanbase; we turned the word on his head, and we beat our chest as we bellowed with pride: Yid army! Yid army! Yid army!
It was enough. As the steamroller of gentrification gathered pace towards White Hart Lane, it was our fans, and not the aggressors who were caught in the cross hair of the offended minority. And so we find it, three Tottenham fans, should they plead ‘not guilty’, defending their right to use a word that means ‘Spurs supporter’ as much as it is a derogatory term aimed at Jewish people.
It doesn’t matter though really. We’re just football fans after all. We’re scum. Criminals one and all, a scurge on society, our voice and our ability to reason falls on deaf ears. Shut us up and it’s done and dusted. Chelsea and West Ham can be ignored. From far off lands where the gathering cash rich nations clamber for the Premier League, it’s tricky to make out the sound of hissing, as it is impossible to see the hook-nosed salutes aimed at us.
[linequote]And so we find it, three Tottenham fans, should they plead ‘not guilty’, defending their right to use a word that means ‘Spurs supporter’ as much as it is a derogatory term aimed at Jewish people[/linequote]
And as ever this is about context and intent. A choice has to be made as to whether a person’s right to freely express themselves, and align to certain groups by using certain words using ethical context, is more important than the feelings of those that are offended. That’s not to say that all aspects of society should be able to use ‘yid’ freely, just those that do so with affection and solidarity with the Jewish people, even the ones who are not Spurs fans.
The Tottenham Hotspurs Supporters Trust yesterday put out the following statement:
The Board of THST is saddened, but certainly not surprised, at today’s decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to deem the use of the Y Word in any context as a prosecutable offence.
Since the first Spurs fan was arrested at White Hart Lane on 6thOctober 2013, THST has worked closely with our legal team to establish a defence to these charges, which will now be tested in a court of law.
It remains our firm belief that, when used in a footballing context by Tottenham Hotspur supporters, there is no intent or desire to offend any member of the Jewish Community. We will continue to offer advice and support to any fan arrested by the Metropolitan Police for using the term in such circumstances.
[authquoteleft text=”That’s not to say that people do not have the right to be offended, just merely that it isn’t grounds for censorship[/linequote]The final paragraph is especially relevant. If there is no desire or intent to offend and yet a group chooses to be offended where is the line drawn? This then becomes an issue not restricted to a football stadium, but to any level of society. If the ‘Tottenham Three’ are found guilty in this landmark test case, then what message is sent out? That is doesn’t matter what you intended; it doesn’t matter why you said what you did; it doesn’t matter the way you said it; the only notable factor is whether someone else is offended. The word doesn’t even have to be aimed at them; they just need to be merely in earshot.
Stephen Fry once said on causing offence:
“It’s now very common to hear people say, ‘I’m rather offended by that.’ As if that gives them certain rights. It’s actually nothing more… than a whine. ‘I find that offensive.’ It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. ‘I am offended by that.’ Well, so f*****g what.”
That’s not to say that people do not have the right to be offended, just merely that it isn’t grounds for censorship, especially while it remains such a grey area. In the English language words change their meaning with time. Does ‘gay’ mean the same as it did when the word was formed? Clearly not. And nor can anyone deny the right of a homosexual to define him or herself as ‘gay’. So by the same token we should be able to define ourselves as ‘yids’ when the word clearly means you belong to Tottenham Hotspur.
We finish with this excellent conclusion from an article by associate editor of Spiked Online, Rob Lyons. It appears in article published on 10th October 2013 and can be read in full here.
The attack on the Yid Army is a case study in the modern culture of offence. A small number of people decide that something is offensive, make a lot of noise about it, and the authorities then step in. The result is the loss of our freedom to express ourselves as we want, to always have to double check how we think and speak against increasingly narrow-minded official norms.
Football fans face the brunt of this. In Scotland, specific legislation has been passed to stop the fans of Glasgow’s two big teams, Celtic and Rangers, from shouting and singing their clubs’ respective songs. Liverpool Football Club have issued a list of words and phrases that are now banned in the ground; some very innocuous phrases could get you turfed out of Anfield these days. From restrictions on movement to clampdowns on speech, it seems football fans are treated as the lab rats for every draconian measure.
But the attack on the use of ‘Yid’ at Spurs is really bizarre and dangerous because it is a ban on a word used positively by the fans about themselves and the club’s players, a ban promoted by people who have little or nothing to do with the club. This is an assault on Spurs fans’ ability to organise themselves, done with the full force of the law.
Even if you support another team – in fact, even if you couldn’t care less about football – you should be prepared to fight alongside the Yid Army, because the attempt to ban this harmless singing is nothing less than an attack on freedom itself.
[author name=”The Fighting Cock” avatar=”https://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tfc-login.png” bio=”” twitter=”lovetheshirt[/linequote]
All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
31 Comments
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22/01/2014 @ 5:13 pm
A racial epithet is a racial epithet – end of story ! To the majority of right-minded people the word “yid” is just as disgusting as the word “nigger”. Richard Pryor eventually stopped using the “n” word because he realized that trying to embrace semantics-“de-sensitizing the word” was a spurious exercise. The black people who use the “n” word today would become very angry if they heard a white person use it. This becomes a form of “word discrimination”. The argument that it’s o.k. for the “tottenham 3” to use the word because it is not used “with the intent to insult” was the same defence that Luis Suarez tried using ! The “Tottenham 3” and all their supporters MUST accept that their actions ARE causing offence, pain & embarrassment to myself and a large majority of the population. I am against censorship. In the 70’s I used the “f” word live on BBC TV, in the 90’s I used the “f” & “c” words live on BBC Radio. When I hear the chanting I’m ashamed to be a spurs supporter. I heard the “sing what we want” chants as W.B.A. scored their equalizer ! Karma ! Get back to caring about football ! The only pleasure you’re giving is to the chelsea, west ham & leeds fans !
22/01/2014 @ 5:22 pm
The difference being Spurs supporters use the Y word to describe… other Spurs supporters, not jewish people. In the minds of the chanters it does not even constitute a racial epithet, ergo it makes it very difficult to prosecute somebody for racist chanting.
22/01/2014 @ 5:38 pm
You can’t excuse any behaviour by “what was going on in the minds of the perpetrators”. A deluded mind does not excuse anti-social behaviour
22/01/2014 @ 5:58 pm
You may be offended by the word “Yid” I am, however, offended by the use of the F & C words being brought up in a more gentile age. Are you prepared to stop swearing?
22/01/2014 @ 6:01 pm
Sorry that should be genteel.
23/01/2014 @ 9:46 am
Absolutely spot on Alan! I have blonde hair. If one day I decide that it offends me to be referred to as “blondie” does that mean that that word should also be outlawed, because regardless of what intend was used behind referring to me by the colour of my hair, I’ve decided I’m offended by it?
22/01/2014 @ 5:59 pm
Yes you can, it’s called mens rea
22/01/2014 @ 6:36 pm
‘what is going on in the minds of the perpetrators’ is literally the definition of racism… racism is an abstract idea, not saying a word, context is everything, and in order to prosecute someone for it the intent, and through that the context must be proved as racist. Read any hate crime legislation and it will say the same thing.
22/01/2014 @ 6:57 pm
Too damn sensitive. Why should anyone be offended by words, honestly? In this day and age, it only exhibits weakness and insecurity. Additionally, a LANGUAGE is called Yiddish. The language is a form of Hebrew and “Yid” LITERALLY translates to “Jew.” How can this in anyone’s mind possibly be wrong?
22/01/2014 @ 5:19 pm
All of which is exactly why there is no hope in hell that any court in the land can register a guilty verdict.
The only good news being that at least these test cases will finally put the issue to bed.
22/01/2014 @ 5:34 pm
There is no difference between your argument & Luis Suarez’ . If you can’t see that then you don’t understand the english language. You seem indifferent to the suffering , and embarrassment, you are causing OTHER SPURS SUPPORTERS. If you think that people should be allowed to “do what they want” , without concern for the feelings and opinions of others, then you won’t mind me kicking your head in ;)
23/01/2014 @ 9:48 am
You’re the only Spurs supporter I know who is embarrassed by the word Yid. Perhaps you should stop questioning other peoples’ grasp on the English language and start questioning your own grasp on the history of our club and what it is to be a Spurs fan?
20/05/2014 @ 9:31 pm
Arsenal have a huge jewish following but do not chant yid army themselves because it is insulting and quickly adopted the pathetic gooner chant, and passed the buck on to spurs !!
This is arsenal who were the first football club ( so I read ) who postponed a match so THEIR fans can celebrate yom kippur a jewish holiday I think.
95% of tottenham’s crowd are not jewish so they should stop that really BORING CHANT !
Try singing so and so’s BLUE AND WHITE ARMY !
22/01/2014 @ 5:24 pm
btw, the Stephen Fry quote is, obviously, taken completely out of context. I’m sure that Stephen, as a sensitive human being, would resent his words being used to justify behaviour that he would not condone.
22/01/2014 @ 5:29 pm
I also have a bit of the problem with the chant. I absolutely understand the intention of turning it from an offensive word, aimed at the club and or jewish people in general, into a badge of honour. But nonetheless I cringe a bit every time I’m walking to the Lane and the chant starts. Maybe it was relevant previously, I don’t know, but it doesn’t feel like it’s bringing anyone together at this time, it just feels aggressive and a bit out of place. It’s certainly not as uniting as “oh when the spurs…”
22/01/2014 @ 5:44 pm
well said. hopefully when they realize they are in a minority of spurs fans they might have the decency to stop. It has NOTHING to do with football, only their own egos and you are right ..it DOES sound aggressive – very much like the minority of millwall fans that they are “supposedly” different from !
20/05/2014 @ 9:34 pm
Well said son, it’s one of the most boring chants you will hear !
22/01/2014 @ 5:56 pm
The ‘word’ was reclaimed to show solidarity among Spurs fans, regardless of jew, gentile or any other persuasion. It was our defense mechanism to numb the screams of mindless and tragic fans of other clubs who sought to make light of the single most infamous and horrific action of the 20th Century. In today’s current climate maybe we need it no longer, but ONLY if the police and authorities (as well as other clubs themselves) come down HARD on ‘real’ antisemitism, at or around football grounds, as they do with other forms of racism.
22/01/2014 @ 6:02 pm
Our ground is becoming a sterile environment with no passion, no identity, full of people that want to sit and watch a match like they are at home on the sofa.
Im afraid its a sign of the times. I feel sorry for todays supporters who never experienced the atmosphere of old, the terrace’s, the reasonable ticket prices, etc.
I go now but its just sad, at least there is atmosphere in the pubs around the ground sometimes. The “support” has changed its no longer the working class, it full of ……… who would probably not come if we were relegated again or anywhere near the bottom of the league.
The club are just interested in whoever will pay the most for a ticket…”the great offended” .
20/05/2014 @ 9:37 pm
you said it in one, it’s not our club anymore it’s just a playground for MILLIONAIRES.
22/01/2014 @ 6:23 pm
Better be careful chanting “Engerland” in future its bound to upset somebody.
22/01/2014 @ 7:21 pm
The bottom line is if Jewish or non jewish Spurs Fans feels its offensive .Then we should stop singiing it…simples
23/01/2014 @ 11:46 am
And then what happens the next time someone finds something offensive?
24/01/2014 @ 1:53 pm
I am offended by people who use words like “simples”. You should be banned from WHL and all internet forums.
22/01/2014 @ 7:28 pm
Right I want some action on….
Kids crying in resturants, aeroplanes etc
Smoking in pub gardens were im eating.
Buskers who cant play their instruments
Supporters who I sit next to who smell of B.O.
Meat being sold outside the ground the smell offends me (im vegetarian)….yes lets get ridiculous.
Don’t let the PC brigade make you feel bad about chanting “YID” if it is in a non abusive way !
23/01/2014 @ 12:30 pm
I think Spurs fans that are offended by our use of the word simply do not understand why we chant it, and have been manipulated by Baddiel’s propaganda.
Maybe a lot don’t go to away games? If you were exposed to the awful anti-semitism we are as away fans, you would be offended if you’re Jewish or not and would embrace the defence mechanism.
It’s not discriminatory. It’s not aggressive. It is in fact inherently positive.
23/01/2014 @ 5:13 pm
I’m not Jewish, but I’m proud to be a YID.. Anti Semitism is indeed a problem around the world, but the UK is possibly the most tolerant country in the world. I have never come across it in all my years living in North London. When i look around the park lane and shelf, there are lots of Jewish fans that are singing “Yid Army” as loud and proud as anyone. I think many are simply jumping on the self publicising bandwagon, like the Society of Black Lawyers.. If we go down this road, where does it end… I’d better pack an overnight bag for the City game..
23/01/2014 @ 7:20 pm
Bokonon is obviously either not a Tottenham or a complete imbecile. I have been going to Spurs since the 70’s. I am not Jewish, but saw the evolution of the insult. The fact that this complete arse thinks that we are giving the green light to Chelsea, Leeds and West Ham fans displays his complete lack of knowledge and insight on the subject. A minority of their fans make anti semetic chants consistently anyway, even down their local pub, regardless whenther they play us or indeed if it’s even a match day. Just check Youtube . By not owning the term we give in to THEM. To laughingly describe those who chant it as a minority ,again illustrates either you stupidity or your inability to tell the truth. I have been involved in this debate for years, taken up Jewish causes and worked closely with leading figures in the Jewish community, some of whom support Spurs, and the overwhelming majority support Spurs supporters use of the term. For a start, roughly 90% of our away support and over half our home support, chant the yid word frequently and in a positive context. I guess by your judgement, that makes them all thugs. If you disagree with this, it only leads me to conclude that you are deluded or in fact have never been to Spurs game in your life. If it’s the latter, then you have no right to make such comments.
23/01/2014 @ 10:20 pm
If anything it constitutes semitism not anti-semitism – they shd subpoena david cameron as defence witness
26/01/2014 @ 10:01 pm
I am pretty offended at the songs opposition fans sing at WHL especially if they score and even more so that because they are louder than us. Should they be banned course not unless they use foul and abusive.
2 media luvvies posited questions to people who most of whom never expected to be asked them and got the answers they wanted. They made a fuss one went on tour and one raised their profile.
How something that was negative that has been turned into a positive can be banned because of racist fans from another team offending a D list celeb who supports the team with racist fans is crazy.
27/01/2014 @ 1:35 pm
It sounds aggressive? Dry yer eyes ye big feckin fanny!
Chants are supposed to intimidate and upset opposing fans and players. There’s a world of difference between intimating they go home in body bags and glassing them outside the ground to unifying in vocal support of your own team and fans. If you can’t differentiate between abuse and support or feel it’s too aggressive sit your shrinking-violet pampered ass at home and watch it on SKY. Leave the rest of us to try and restore the much maligned atmosphere.