Soccer and the Brown Paper Bag Test

Pele passed away and I look at the championship Argentine team and none of them look like Pele. A lot of soccer players don’t look like Pele.

For those who don’t know, the Brown Paper Bag test was used a barometer for gatekeeping based on skin color.

So sad 😢 I remember the days when the only thing I knew about soccer was the name Pele. Boy that was a long time ago, and lots has changed since then.

That pic is a bit shocking. So, why is that? They all look pretty white, even the hispanics. I mean I know it was all the Hispanic kids in Socal who knew how to kick around a soccer ball it seems like as soon as they could walk. That was when my son started playing soccer - probably 24 years ago. But typically they were a lot browner than these guys. I'm guessing that's not your point though.

Posted by PuzzlePieces
So sad I remember the days when the only thing I knew about soccer was the name Pele. Boy that was a long time ago, and lots has changed since then.



That pic is a bit shocking. So, why is that? They all look pretty white, even the hispanics. I mean I know it was all the Hispanic kids in Socal who knew how to kick around a soccer ball it seems like as soon as they could walk. That was when my son started playing soccer - probably 24 years ago. But typically they were a lot browner than these guys. I'm guessing that's not your point though.

No, you’re onto it.

Soccer seems to be getting more one shade, pale

Because the world is turning more browner than ever

Posted by TXCowboy
Careful, someone might say the same thing about racial representation in American basketball over the same amount of time.



That door can be swung in either direction.

Very true.

I’m willing to talk about that.

The days of Larry Bird are over and rarely seen.

It was very Michael Jordan shade for decades maybe due to racial stereotypes as well. There was a film called White Men Can’t Jump. Also, there was a lot less mixed raved dating.

Todays new school basketball players look nothing like there dark skinned black fathers. They’re mostly biracial. Brown

It’s like skin shade is akin to skill and marketability

I know colorism is a big deal in DR and Argentina and produces a class system

Ahhh interesting interesting

Posted by GenerousBalance

Posted by PuzzlePieces
So sad I remember the days when the only thing I knew about soccer was the name Pele. Boy that was a long time ago, and lots has changed since then.



That pic is a bit shocking. So, why is that? They all look pretty white, even the hispanics. I mean I know it was all the Hispanic kids in Socal who knew how to kick around a soccer ball it seems like as soon as they could walk. That was when my son started playing soccer - probably 24 years ago. But typically they were a lot browner than these guys. I'm guessing that's not your point though.

Not all Hispanics are brown, and it seems like every country is different, you can check the Argentinian team back in the 80's still white, Maradonna was white too.

Every region is different and Races have changed because of colonization, in north Africa you can find brown black and white, in Algeria people in the East are whiter than people in the West, and most people in the south are Black,

I am brown my grandma is whiter as the snow so are my two anties and my cousin,

Football is not a beauty pageant people are chosen based on their skills, doesn't mean they face racism in the lockers or the field, but your skin color doesn't make you the best player.

Benzema is an Algerian white player who also faced racism because of his origins.

Btw Argentina is 97% white

click to expand

I was wondering about that. Colors/nationalities varying by country. Thanks.

IMO, It's America with all the skin color issues. Overseas is rarely the problem, it's more religious/culture based racism.