Ed Barber

[Chris22]

1 hour ago, Chris Taylor said:

His team mates obviously find it funny.

Fine the player and fine the club. This has been the stance by the RFL recently (2019)

That tweet is beyond stupid!

[Tommygilf]

Another point on this. RL players are very connected to their communities, unlike other sports where wealth causes players to become distant. This is especially true for town part timers.

In that context its unsurprising that a part time Halifax player has come out with something like this. I've seen plenty of examples on social media from people of similar backgrounds. They can be as pigheaded as they like.

He, however, is a semi pro sportsman playing in the second division of the game representing the Halifax club and by extension the whole sport. The comments from his team mate just looks equally small town tinpot xenophobia. No wonder the game struggles for diversity in some areas...

[Hela Wigmen]

Amazed if Barber or Tyrer will be employed by Halifax beyond a week or so’s time. The game should come down heavily on both. 

[The Phantom Horseman]

5 minutes ago, Hela Wigmen said:

Amazed if Barber or Tyrer will be employed by Halifax beyond a week or so’s time. The game should come down heavily on both. 

Rumour is Tyrer is Widnes bound. 

[Phil]

I’m a Fax fan, disgusted by this and the way it portrays the club and our game 

[Poower Lad]

Highlights the point though that people feel they cannot comment on any race unless it’s negative white without it being hit by a barrage of and wasps . Badly put point but to be honest the vast majority of people I know , And that includes Black and Asian friends would tend to agree with him . I’m not saying how he did it was right And I am not saying what he said is correct , but until societies become mature enough to have dialog on unpalatable subjects , calmly draw conclusions and develop and improve the situation based on those conclusions instead of simply shouting down anyone with a view on race as a racist , Then I issues will keep rolling on I’m afraid . Just an opinion . 

[Phil]

1 minute ago, Poower Lad said:

Highlights the point though that people feel they cannot comment on any race unless it’s negative white without it being hit by a barrage of and wasps . Badly put point but to be honest the vast majority of people I know , And that includes Black and Asian friends would tend to agree with him . I’m not saying how he did it was right And I am not saying what he said is correct , but until societies become mature enough to have dialog on unpalatable subjects , calmly draw conclusions and develop and improve the situation based on those conclusions instead of simply shouting down anyone with a view on race as a racist , Then I issues will keep rolling on I’m afraid . Just an opinion . 

Almost all organisations have social media policies, break the policy and you’ll suffer 

[Poower Lad]

4 minutes ago, Phil said:

Almost all organisations have social media policies, break the policy and you’ll suffer 

Good point , like I say it’s more for me a wider issues of dialog , Total see your point on his misuse of a platform .

[Just Browny]

13 minutes ago, Poower Lad said:

Highlights the point though that people feel they cannot comment on any race unless it’s negative white without it being hit by a barrage of and wasps . Badly put point but to be honest the vast majority of people I know , And that includes Black and Asian friends would tend to agree with him . I’m not saying how he did it was right And I am not saying what he said is correct , but until societies become mature enough to have dialog on unpalatable subjects , calmly draw conclusions and develop and improve the situation based on those conclusions instead of simply shouting down anyone with a view on race as a racist , Then I issues will keep rolling on I’m afraid . Just an opinion . 

Oh yes, dogwhistle discrimination is the perfect way to promote dialogue.

[Dunbar]

9 minutes ago, Poower Lad said:

Highlights the point though that people feel they cannot comment on any race unless it’s negative white without it being hit by a barrage of and wasps . Badly put point but to be honest the vast majority of people I know , And that includes Black and Asian friends would tend to agree with him . I’m not saying how he did it was right And I am not saying what he said is correct , but until societies become mature enough to have dialog on unpalatable subjects , calmly draw conclusions and develop and improve the situation based on those conclusions instead of simply shouting down anyone with a view on race as a racist , Then I issues will keep rolling on I’m afraid . Just an opinion . 

If his tweet was intended to highlight the fact that increasing Covid cases (and therefore localised lockdowns) were occurring in areas with a higher proportion of BAME residents and that data seems to show that BAME people are disproportionally affected by Covid; and that as a society, we need to have a good hard look at the underlying reasons for this and address them in an honest and open fashion, then I would tend to agree that he has brought up a valid point.

Unfortunately, I fear this was not the focus of his post.

[Poower Lad]

1 minute ago, Dunbar said:

If his tweet was intended to highlight the fact that increasing Covid cases (and therefore localised lockdowns) were occurring in areas with a higher proportion of BAME residents and that data seems to show that BAME people are disproportionally affected by Covid; and that as a society, we need to have a good hard look at the underlying reasons for this and address them in an honest and open fashion, then I would tend to agree that he has brought up a valid point.

Unfortunately, I fear this was not the focus of his post.

See your point on this  , lessons to be learnt .

[Poower Lad]

5 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

Oh yes, dogwhistle discrimination is the perfect way to promote dialogue.

As I said not at all agreeing with what he said , but how as a society do we engage in conversations like this . Serious question I’m not trying to stoke an argument just looking for thoughts .

[RigbyLuger]

28 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

If his tweet was intended to highlight the fact that increasing Covid cases (and therefore localised lockdowns) were occurring in areas with a higher proportion of BAME residents and that data seems to show that BAME people are disproportionally affected by Covid; and that as a society, we need to have a good hard look at the underlying reasons for this and address them in an honest and open fashion, then I would tend to agree that he has brought up a valid point.

Unfortunately, I fear this was not the focus of his post.

When he has previously RTd Trump talking about immigration and "Muslim grooming gangs" as has been dug up, it would be easy to misinterpret what he meant. Very easy.

If you're stupid enough to tweet it, knowing theres a social media policy in the sport, one they've recently been reminded of, why some are looking to blame those who've complained rather than done it is beyond me.

[Bostik Bailey]

This comment perfectly illustrates how ignorance racists are. The fact is that there is a high proportion of Asians in the lockdown area. The fact is there is also a high proportion of poverty, people working in low paid and low quality jobs. The fact is there is a high proportion of social and economic depravation. The fact is that there is a high proportion of the population living in poor quality housing.

Racists do not get further than the first fact, it demonstrates their complete lack of common sense.

[Bostik Bailey]

48 minutes ago, Poower Lad said:

As I said not at all agreeing with what he said , but how as a society do we engage in conversations like this . Serious question I’m not trying to stoke an argument just looking for thoughts .

By looking beyond the first fact, into other reason behind any phenomenon.

[Poower Lad]

1 minute ago, Bostik Bailey said:

This comment perfectly illustrates how ignorance racists are. The fact is that there is a high proportion of Asians in the lockdown area. The fact is there is also a high proportion of poverty, people working in low paid and low quality jobs. The fact is there is a high proportion of social and economic depravation. The fact is that there is a high proportion of the population living in poor quality housing.

Racists do not get further than the first fact, it demonstrates their complete lack of common sense.

If you feel he is displaying ignorance then move to educate and demonstrate your points not name call .   

[Poower Lad]

1 minute ago, Bostik Bailey said:

By looking beyond the first fact, into other reason behind any phenomenon.

Ok but are you open to dialog with people who may have as vehement an opinion as you . In arguments both parties are equally wrong usually . To make situations better how do we communicate better as a nation .

[Poower Lad]

30 minutes ago, RigbyLuger said:

When he has previously RTd Trump talking about immigration and "Muslim grooming gangs" as has been dug up, it would be easy to misinterpret what he meant. Very easy.

If you're stupid enough to tweet it, knowing theres a social media policy in the sport, one they've recently been reminded of, why some are looking to blame those who've complained rather than done it is beyond me.

As a thought , and only asking the question is it right in a free society to have a social media policy , one side of the argument may be is it right for unelected bodies to dictate a policy , the other would be it’s a necacary policing of modern technologies . Is ignorance or opinion a crime , have we lost liberties compared to 20 years ago do people feel comfortable with this . Again not leaning either way just   Enjoying a discussion . 

[distantdog]

12 minutes ago, Poower Lad said:

Ok but are you open to dialog with people who may have as vehement an opinion as you . In arguments both parties are equally wrong usually . To make situations better how do we communicate better as a nation .

Straight from the Trump playbook. I really do not think you can say this! Racism? Bigotry? Sexism?

[RigbyLuger]

1 minute ago, Poower Lad said:

As a thought , and only asking the question is it right in a free society to have a social media policy , one side of the argument may be is it right for unelected bodies to dictate a policy , the other would be it’s a necacary policing of modern technologies . Is ignorance or opinion a crime , have we lost liberties compared to 20 years ago do people feel comfortable with this . Again not leaning either way just   Enjoying a discussion . 

Might just be people are more willing or able to call out opinions, and that everyone has a voice, good or bad!

Players have a responsibility, whether they like it or not, but I know in my job, were I to post a questionable opinion, which reflected badly on my employers, I may get in bother too!

[Dunbar]

5 minutes ago, Poower Lad said:

As a thought , and only asking the question is it right in a free society to have a social media policy , one side of the argument may be is it right for unelected bodies to dictate a policy , the other would be it’s a necacary policing of modern technologies . Is ignorance or opinion a crime , have we lost liberties compared to 20 years ago do people feel comfortable with this . Again not leaning either way just   Enjoying a discussion . 

Social media policies are not put into place by unelected bodies.  They are used by employers to provide guidance and rules to employees on how they should engage in social media as we are all now effectively spokespeople for our employers (whether we like it or not).  And sportspeople are more relevant in this industry as they are obviously better known and people will be seeking out their online profiles and posts.

A few decades ago everyone was surrounded by people they knew well - friends and family - and so any expressions and views would be received by a captive audience, of mostly similarly minded people.  Today, social media platforms extend that network to literally everyone who wishes to see it.

Employers are absolutely within their rights to set out standards of behavior they should expect from people representing them across social media and definitely within their rights to discipline people if they do not adhere to them.  Of course, as some high profile cases have shown, employers need to be watertight in their enforcement and ensure they tick every box in the process.

Social platforms also have their own policies on speech and what is considered proper and decent.  Some are strictly enforced and some are more lenient.  But when you sign up and use these platforms then you are agreeing to the stipulated usage.

Freedom of speech always comes up in these conversations and these freedoms still exist.  But as with all walks of life, actions have consequences.  If I choose to post something that goes against the policy of this board, I get banned.  If I choose to post something that conflicts with the values of my employer and breaks their social media guidelines then I am disciplined.

A player can say what they want (within the boundaries of hate speech in law) but they should absolutely expect to suffer the consequences if what they post is against the values their employer holds.

[The Blues Ox]

7 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Jordan Andrade made a comment on Twitter saying he'd "seen a few suspect tweets from Halifax players". Certainly, one ex-Fax player used to be a constant cheerleader for Yaxley-Lennon and Katy Hopkins and said he would love them to have kids. You'd think most clubs probably have some players with similar views to be fair but presumably most clubs have fairly rigorous briefings to their players about what they should and shouldn't say on social media.

Spot on.

Firstly regarding Barber it will be interesting to see how the club play this as he is one of the players rumoured to be staying next season and would be one of our more senior players. I guess they could easily say that its gross misconduct and terminate his contract, personally Im not fussed either way. What he said Ive heard discussed today but in an adult and proper manner by people from communities that we are presuming he is refering to but by wording it the way he did and acting how he has it is pretty easy to come to the conclusion that theres a decent chance he is racist. As for Tyrer as has been mentioned he looks Widnes bound but I would have expected better from him and stuff like that if you are going to post it for kicks or banter then stick to their own whatsapp groups rather than in full view of the public when it is clear they are representing their club.

PH is right though about some of the stuff over the last couple of years that has been tweeted by Fax players, although a lot of them are ex-Fax players now, but you just wonder what goes through their heads. I mean I know everyone should be entitled to their opinion even if it is very misguided but when it is obvious that your opinion is going to get you in trouble  because your profile makes it obvious you are representing an organisation, then maybe you just don't post it. 

[Phil]

The company I work for recently sacked someone for breaking it’s social media policy.

I don’t have any links to where I work on any of my social media pages etc.

I’m not friends on Facebook with anyone I work with, it’s just not worth it. 

[Hela Wigmen]

4 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Rumour is Tyrer is Widnes bound. 

I’d hope Widnes would reconsider if I were a Widnes fan. 

[Mr Plow]

4 hours ago, Poower Lad said:

Highlights the point though that people feel they cannot comment on any race unless it’s negative white without it being hit by a barrage of and wasps . Badly put point but to be honest the vast majority of people I know , And that includes Black and Asian friends would tend to agree with him . I’m not saying how he did it was right And I am not saying what he said is correct , but until societies become mature enough to have dialog on unpalatable subjects , calmly draw conclusions and develop and improve the situation based on those conclusions instead of simply shouting down anyone with a view on race as a racist , Then I issues will keep rolling on I’m afraid . Just an opinion . 

His point was that all these places have a high BAME population and those people are more susceptible to the virus which is why we are seeing a rise in cases in these areas.

The problem with his tweet was it was open ended and there was no explanation to it meaning it makes it easy to beat these people with a stick and blame them for a rise in cases which will lead to more discrimination.