It was the evening of the Manchester United versus Liverpool match,yes...yes the Saturday match (12th Sep)... Myself being an United fan, little crazy kind of, was obviously excited as millions like me. Twitter was buzzing with red tweeps all over the globe tweeting the chances of a win over our favourite rivals; Liverpool Football Club..predicting the scores, sharing memes, trolling our rivals; showing their passion for their favourite club as much possible through 140 characters. That was obvious I was no different. I was doing the same, tweeting match day Shout Outs since the time I woke up, sharing pictures and so much more. Meanwhile as I was replying to a fellow red, an Arsenal fan (another of our beloved rival club) who probably was English suddenly started abusing me. Abuses and counter abuses aren't that abnormal stuff in twitter or in any other form of social media; but when they get blended with racial colours you feel hurt, you feel broken. Previous to that day, had only read in the papers or seen being reported in electronic media about racism, discrimination against some races, people being called coloured, some incidents being real brutal ones and on...but never imagined that upon me..suddenly that fan started abusing me as being from India how can I support United. He indirectly or directly called me ugly faced, and started calling names...Honestly admitting, I was shocked for a few seconds. Then I regained my normalcy and replied in the politest way possible without using abusive vocabulary.
Now let me tell you guys whoever is of the same mindset that supporting United or any local football club just because you reside there is not your birthright. Just because you are an English and am not, doesn't give you the right to decide which club am going to support or not. Honestly I do not even remember since when precisely I have been a fan of United..Fifteen years or more I have been supporting this club probably. And you call me a fuc#$&@ gloryhunter..who gave you the authorization to call me that. And even if am that, whats your problem. That is none of your business. Now just because you called me that let me tell you a thing or two about that. My support for the club grew vocal since we lost on goal difference the 2011-12 league title to City. Obvious the next year was huge for us as we got the league back home; but the alarm bells rang as Fergie announced his retirement. Like an idiot I literally cried seeing him leave as Manager of the club; he gave 26 long years to. Even today I cry deep inside on not seeing him in the dug out chewing his gum and keeping tab on the time. Previously I rarely got the time to watch matches live; sometimes managed to, sometimes couldn't due to various reasons so most of the times watched highlights or kept a note from the papers. But since that year I couldn't keep myself away from the Club...Felt as if Manchester United is calling me. Felt as if the club needs its supporters to get more strongly behind it as Manchester United would never be the same without Sir Alex. And we all know from the current state of affairs it is not...it can't be ever..
I treasure United more than anything else probably. From my savings I get United merchandises every year, jerseys, pullovers, tshirts. This year have not yet been to buy one because of tough finances. I cannot measure that love just. Its not possible. When you love someone or something you cannot pinpoint the reasons everytime. Its there or its not and am not different to that. I dream of visiting Old Trafford atleast once in my lifetime as its no lesser than a sacred pilgrimage to me..A shrine which I worship and love from the core of my heart and no one can take that away from me..Everytime I see the fans, cheering and chanting from the stands I go crazy and see myself over there one day with my fellow reds. That's a dream I cherish since years and I don't even know whether that will be fulfilled or not but then you can't stop dreaming.
Here is the tweet;
@kaanevcimen's Tweet:
@DEBANJALEESEN @JuanMataTouch why're you laughing? Your name is Debanjalee, you're from India, and you look like this.
The other tweets were more abusive so I chose not to print that...
NOTE: This post is not meant to hurt any race as I have mentioned the English many a times. This is just to highlight the ignorant few who are a blot to humanity itself.