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Forget Ignite, Let's just Unite.



Two things can be true at once. Yes, the over Political Correctness in our society is getting out of hand and yes, Ran Jans needed to step down as Head Coach of FC Cincinnati. The truth is we don't have all the information about what transpired between Ron and his players. We have heard snippets and bits of information. Depending on one's world view that is all that is needed to make a decision. Some people will say "he was just singing lyrics to the song, what's wrong with that." Others say "that word is NEVER EVER ok to say in any context". Personally, I believe there is a lot more to this story we don't know. The Major League Soccer Players Association said as much in their press release today. "Themes emerged" during the investigation is how they put it. I do not believe it is my job or anyone else's job to speculate about what the exact words were said or how or why they were said. All we know from the language of the press release, more than one player had issues with the language used by their coach. No team can be fully functional in that sort of climate and that is why I believe Ron Jans had to step down.

Having said that; I believe it would be wrong to jump to the conclusion that Ron Jans is a giant racist and anyone who supports him is a closest racist. No matter the words used by Ron, one thing we will never know is what was in his heart. I know people take a lot of grief for saying context matters but in reality, it does. Again two things can be true at the same time. 1 There are words that should never be used in polite society and we must be vigilant in educating people of those words. 2, some people have not had the education of the full impact of those words, and although they must be educated and face consequences we can not just ostracize them from society.

This moment is an extremely important moment in the history of Cincinnati. Not just for sports but for the very soul of who we are. We are all aware of the racial history in this city and the great injustices that have been done. Building the stadium opened up a lot of those wounds and now this, I fear will open more. All you have to do is take a glance at FC Cincinnati on social media to see a great divide forming. The two camps are setting up shop and ready to write off the other side. Those that think Ron Jans is a vile racist who even if he thinks the word in question must be ridden out of town on a rail and the other side is already viewing him as a sacrifice on the altar of Political Correctness. I do not believe either of those is true. It is possible that Ron Jans is all those things some claim but I have not seen the evidence to say that. I think it is quite evident from the statement put out by MLSPA that Ron did more than just sing a song and that he lost respect and control of his team.

For 4 years now FC Cincinnati has brought great joy to this City. People of all backgrounds were rallying around this team. For two hours a night in Nippert Stadium, thousands of Cincinnatians could come together and be a part of something as one group no matter our political leanings, race, sexual orientation, or religion. We the fans CAN NOT allow that to change. We the citizens of Cincinnati CAN NOT allow that to change.  We must not be too quick to judge others' intentions and also avoid discounting their concerns. 

I know racism is real and we must never lose focus on rooting it out of our society. I also know that people make mistakes and that forgiveness is real. That does not mean there are no consequences but I say with all sincerity that I pray for Ron Jans and wish him nothing but the best and that he comes out of this a better man. I also hope that this is the final hiccup for a team that will go on to win multiple trophies for our town in the years to come.


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