Goitom: "It's not just the struggle of the blacks"

Henok Goitom's eighth all-Swedish season in AIK starts in strange times.

Not only with restrictions due to the corona virus - but also with another widespread fact that has been swirling properly by the pandemic spotlight for the past two weeks.

That is, structural racism and police brutality against blacks in the United States.

- It's good that it comes to the surface, says Goitom.

The 35-year-old faithful welcomes the protests that have occurred around the world following the death of 46-year-old American George Floyd in connection with a brutal Minneapolis police raid.

- This is nothing new. It was a little more difficult before when mobiles and social media were not there, but now it's being filmed and it just makes the whole movement bigger and bigger, Goitom says and continues:

- Sometimes you have to scream loudly to make a change, sometimes ordinary talk is not enough. Then there is a tendency that the movement itself does not gain power. But now you notice that this not only engages in the US but in the whole host.

On June 2, AIK posted a full black image on social media, a day known as "blackouttuesday" following the initiative of the Black Lives Matter movement.

- It was no strange thing from the club. The club's name stands for just that: the General Sports Club. Everyone is welcome, regardless of skin color, attitude, political position and so on, says Goitom.

TT: Do you think this movement can have a lasting effect for the future?

- It is difficult to answer that question. But what I wish for is that there will be a change, that color should not be what determines how one is treated. What I want is one thing and what is going to happen is another - but you can already see that those who are privileged seem to realize that they are privileged. At the same time, when you have not had this racism in everyday life, it may be very difficult to see that it exists. Therefore, it is good that it is filmed from different directions, so it comes to the surface.

Gotiom ends:

- This is not just the struggle of the blacks, but I think it is the whole world.

AIK starts it, because of the corona crisis, delayed the Swedish season on Sunday, away to Örebro.