Black Lives Matter: Martin Offiah backs Swing Low, Sweet Chariot review
- From the section Rugby Union
Former rugby league and union favourite Martin Offiah has welcomed the Rugby Football Union's decision to review the use of the song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - but does not want it banned.
The RFU said more needs to be done to "grow awareness" and that many are not aware of the song's links with slavery.
Offiah told Radio 5 live: "The song is not really what the issue is here - the issue is about diversity and inclusion.
"I think this is the first step as we progress towards change."
The song is believed to have been sung at rugby clubs since the 1960s but came to prominence at Twickenham in 1987, when Offiah played in the Middlesex Sevens tournament.
It is thought Swing Low, Sweet Chariot was written in the mid-19th century by Wallace Willis, who was a black slave.
"It's definitely an emotional piece of music, very emotive, it stirs up feelings and that's probably something to do with its history," Offiah said.
"That history is probably not that well known by a lot of people in the UK. I champion the RFU reviewing it, I wouldn't support the banning of such a song. When you do try to ban things like that it just makes the song more divisive.
"If this review leads to the RFU putting a positive spin on this song, engaging with ethnic communities, looking at the rooms where decisions are made in the RFU and addressing those issues, that's what we actually want."
Former England captain Maxine Edwards believes the RFU has bigger issues to face than fans' use of the song.
Edwards said: "I think it is interesting that the RFU has decided to review this song and have discussions about its appropriateness, as part of their bigger process of reviewing their approach to the representation of people of BAME backgrounds within their organisational structure at all levels and taking part in their sport.
"I would, however, ask why this is the first thing that they have on their list to review as part of this review process?
"It is complicated, but it is really by no means the biggest issue that the RFU needs to address."
The Black Lives Matter movement has been embraced in several sports, with Premier League players taking a knee on Wednesday.
England's Maro Itoje, who spoke about rugby and race on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, recently said the song had a "complicated" background.
Last week World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi - the only black person on the RFU council - said that the death of George Floyd in the United States had led to "powerful conversations".
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has promised to increase diversity in the organisation, saying: "We have undertaken some very good initiatives at the grassroots level to encourage more diverse participation. However, that in itself is not enough.
"We need to do more to achieve diversity across all areas of the game, including administration."
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