Rasicm is out there, no doubt about it. Shallow and malicious characters will use any opportunity to belittle people of different race and colour of skin. However, there are also cases of overreacting and misinterpretation.Last night, you could even see a journalist confronting Jurgen Klopp for allegedly offending the whole African continent and the AFCON. German manager explained it was an ironic statement and a figure of speech as can be heard often in the English language (‘there is that little thing called…’).AFCON is a little tournament and Africa is a small continent – but only ironicallyAnother case of walking the thin line of rasicm hit the social media and it is coming from Rome, Italy. At first – the scene of Jose Mourinho gifting expensive shoes to Felix Afena-Gyan is heartwarming. Portuguese manager made a promise to the Ghanaian youngster before Roma’s clash against Genoa in which the African player scored twice displaying his boisterous talent – the Special One put his money where his mouth is.Even so, in the video of the gifting that was shared online, there was a voice in the background, from an as yet unidentified person, who commented ‘there are bananas inside’.Afena-Gyan was also asked by a voice behind the camera to dance and the footballer did so. It is a pretty uncomfortable situation when watched and listened from the side and a number of fans picked up on the comments and used the social media to give their thoughts – seeing the whole situation as clearly racist.Jose Mourinho promised to buy 18-year-old Felix Afena-Gyan new trainers after he scored twice for Roma vs. Genoa.He was true to his word 🎁 pic.twitter.com/67O7GH5AJ7— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 22, 2021 I appreciate the video of Mou gifting Afena-Gyan the shoes as he promised but can’t help the disgust I feel seeing them asking him to dance.Also, someone apparently asked if it was bananas in the box of shoes. Just subtle yet obvious racism being exhibited. Smh.— Mufasa 🦁 (@celestocalculus) November 22, 2021 However, Afena-Gyan expresses there was any malice behind what was said while he was receiving the gift. ‘I want to assure you all that I was not offended by the background comment made in the video in any way – and that I truly believe there was no racist intent.’, footballer said on Instagram. ‘Since the first day I arrived at the club, I have been welcomed into the family by everyone, who have joked with me like they do all members of the family.Ghanian wonderboy – Mourinho promising the African talent 900 USD shoes was all it took’Because they see that I eat bananas a lot that has become a thing we laugh about sometimes – and I believe the comment was another example of that.’I feel at home here at Roma and I have done ever since I arrived. I am grateful for the support I have received from everyone here at Trigoria and don’t like to think that people have got the wrong idea about things.’Thanks for your concern, now let’s get back to concentrating on the next game. Grazie and Forza Roma.’, the 18-year-old concluded.##NAJAVA_MECA_6000364##
