“Deja de hacer el mono.” Literal translation – “Stop acting like a monkey.” This was used to describe Vinicius Jr. (Vini Jr.), an Afro-Brazilian soccer player for Real Madrid. Spain is a country with a sordid history of racist attitudes toward soccer players of color. This is the latest example of racism and identity suppression that can’t go unaddressed.
It wasn’t just anybody who made this statement either. It came from the President of the Spanish Association of Football Agents, Pedro Bravo.
Bravo later tried to walk it back by saying he meant a different meaning of the phrase, as it can be interpreted as “Stop playing the clown” or “Stop acting the fool.”
What was heinous enough for Vini Jr. to get called out with a racist remark?
He danced.
You see, Vini Jr. celebrates his goals with a short dance routine (only seconds long). While goal celebrations have been commonplace in soccer since the 1950s, Vini Jr.’s celebrations are being called out.
Why?
Racism and Identity Suppression in Spanish Soccer
All you need to do is look at Bravo’s choice of words. “Mono” (monkey) has consistently been used as a derogatory term toward black soccer players in Spain. Of all the words Bravo could have used, why choose that one?
I wonder what Bravo would have said if it was a white Spaniard with a short Flamenco dance celebration. Why didn’t he ever say anything like that about Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrations when he played for Real Madrid?
They want Vini Jr. to perform and put on a show, but they want him to “do it the right way,” “to do it their way.” They will tolerate Vini Jr.’s inclusion in their league if he doesn’t bring his culture with him.
Identity Suppression in the Workplace and Schools
How often do organizations send that same message to their staff of color? How often do they tell them to conform and leave their cultural identities at the door?
You can’t say you care about diversity if you’re muting the expressions of the people of color who work for you.
And it’s even more important in schools! Educators are setting up students’ mental frameworks about what’s acceptable and how they should behave. What does it say to students when aspects of their identities are outlawed?
Why should it matter if somebody shows up with designs shaved into their heads? Or if they have tattoos? If they wear head coverings? If they do a little dance when something goes well?
Vini Jr.’s Response
Vini Jr. is a multi-million-dollar soccer star for one of the top clubs in the world, Real Madrid, and one of the leading national teams in the world (Brazil). He used his platform to hit back against the attacks against him.
“My dances celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it, I’m not going to stop,” he wrote on Instagram. “Weeks ago, some people started to criticize my dancing. But the dancing is not mine alone. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, Paquetá, Griezmann, João Félix, Matheus Cunha… Brazilian funk singers and samba dancers, Latin reggaeton singers, Black Americans. They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers much more. But my will to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that.”
Vini Jr. has also seen a ton of support from his team, Real Madrid, and players worldwide. People have told him that he’s not alone and is supported.
Organizations Must Take The Lead
Organizations must lead in creating cultures that allow individuals to express their identities. 99.9% of employees and students don’t have the same platform as Vini Jr. Many will suppress their cultural identities to fit in. They don’t want to rock the boat. They want to succeed and know that their bosses (or teachers) hold the key to success.
Organizations can start by getting input from people of color. Give them a seat at the table to offer their perspectives. Ask questions and then sit back and listen. Take in what they’re saying with an open mind.
You don’t have to use derogatory remarks to tell somebody their whole self isn’t welcome. You also do that when you forbid parts of their identity from the workplace (or school).
