An extraordinary and thoughtful letter to fans with clear political resonances: “I understand that on this island, we have a desire to protect our values and traditions — as we should — but that shouldn’t come at the expense of introspection and progress.” theplayerstribune.com/posts/dear-eng…
Key rebuttals from Southgate to those who say he and his players should “stick to football.” Says it’s his duty to take of his players and theirs to use their profile to interact with the public on matters such as “equality, inclusivity and racial justice.” 
“In a funny way, I see the same Englishness represented by the fans who protested against the Super League. We are independent thinkers. We speak out on the issues that matter to us and we are proud of that.”
A letter to the fans but in part, in content and political argument could just as well be as addressed to his political critics and those of his team, some of whom are in the House of Commons.
When reading it, kept thinking of Tony Blair’s recent piece in the New Statesman, arguing that progressive forces must confront cultural arguments, not resile from them. Southgate could have tried to avoid these questions. He’s gone for the Blair approach with quite some aplomb.
Most of all it’s something we rarely hear- a prolonged and considered rumination about modern Englishness. Implicitly, he acknowledges a truth- that in 2021 his is perhaps the singularly most senior and well-known position in *English* cultural life.
Therefore his/his players’ prominence atop of that rare thing, a solely English cultural/political institution, means they have a near unique position and role in articulating and channeling what Englishness is and what it might be.
Seems to me Southgate’s arguments and drive are motivated by an awareness of this sense of unique responsibility and a real thoughtfulness about modern Englishness and what it means- the latter being pretty rare in politics or public life.
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