Published on : Modified :
The English Rugby Federation has decided to study the question of the fan song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, which was allegedly written by an American slave and whose use in stadiums is now controversial.
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, an iconic song by XV de la Rose supporters, could soon be a thing of the past, the English Rugby Federation (RFU) having decided to focus on this song inherited from slavery.
The text was said to have been written by an American slave, Wallace Willis, in the mid-19th century. And would have entered Twickenham in 1987, in tribute to the rugby player at VII and XIII Martin Offiah, nicknamed “Chariots” in reference to the Oscar-winning film “Chariots of fire”.
For more than 30 years, it has been sung by more than 80,000 supporters at each meeting of the English selection.
>> Read: The United States commemorates the end of slavery amid racial tensions
But, amid tensions in many countries since the death, on May 25, of George Floyd, an African-American killed during his arrest by the police of Minneapolis, the use of the anthem by the English supporters made controversy .
In England, major protests have taken place in recent weeks and the statue of a slave owner was unbolted in Bristol. Events that prompt the authorities to reflect on their historical links with slavery, abolished in England in 1833.
The English selection players divided
Before that, the country had occupied a prominent place in the slave trade for a long time, which saw millions of Africans deported to the American continent to be subjected to slavery.
“‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ has long been part of the rugby culture and is sung by many who are not aware of its origins and its sensitivity,” said RFU on Thursday.
“We are currently reconsidering its historical context and our role in educating fans to make conscious decisions,” she added. “We have to do more for diversity and are determined to accelerate change and increase our vigilance,” she said.
>> See: Statues: should we sort it out?
The song also divides the players, current and past, of the English selection. “I don’t think anyone in Twickenham is singing this with bad intentions,” recently defended English-born Nigerian player Maro Itoje. “But the context of this song is complicated,” he said.
“I always hated her,” former hooker Brian Moore told The Telegraph daily. “It is not appropriate. It has connotations of slavery and if the RFU took the decision (to ban it), I would be happy.”
Boris Johnson against his ban
According to The Telegraph, which quoted an anonymous source, one of the tracks envisaged would be effectively “to stop singing it during the matches”.
The debate has moved to the political field. Daniel Hannan, a former Conservative MEP, said the idea of a ban was “denied”, saying that no one was hurt when he heard the song in Twickenham.
>> See: Racial violence: the United States faces its old demons
As for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he considered Friday more useful to focus on the substance of the problem of racism than on symbols and added that he saw no reason to ban the “unofficial” anthem of English rugby. .
Symbolic, the discussion around this song takes place in a desire for more global change. Earlier this week, RFU Executive Director Bill Sweeney said he wanted to do more “to improve diversity in all areas of the game, including administration.”
Currently, ex-international Maggie Alphonsi is the only person of color among the 55 members of the council of the body.
With AFP
.
