zeit.de
German footballer plays with only first name due to online hate
Alara Şehitler, an 18-year-old FC Bayern München and German national team midfielder, played a recent match with only her first name on her jersey due to online abuse and Nazi slogans targeting her Turkish surname, "Şehitler," meaning "martyrs.
- What societal issue led to Alara Şehitler's decision to use only her first name on her national team jersey?
- Alara Şehitler, an 18-year-old FC Bayern München player, played a national match with only her first name on her jersey due to societal issues. Her surname had incited inappropriate remarks and Nazi slogans on social media. The German Football Association and FC Bayern now list her solely as Alara.
- How did the German Football Association and FC Bayern Munich respond to the online abuse targeting Alara Şehitler?
- This decision follows numerous instances of online abuse targeting Şehitler's surname, which translates to "martyrs." The potential for far-right groups to exploit her surname prompted the change; removing it prevents the misuse of her jersey for their propaganda.
- What broader implications does this incident have regarding online hate speech and its effect on public figures, especially athletes?
- This incident highlights the pervasive issue of online hate speech and its impact on individuals, particularly in the public sphere. It underscores the need for stronger measures to combat online hate and protect athletes from harassment, while also suggesting a potential trend of athletes choosing to modify their public identities to avoid abuse.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative strongly emphasizes the societal and political implications of Alara's decision. The headline highlights the removal of her surname, framing it as the most significant aspect of the event. The introductory paragraphs underscore the hateful comments as the main reason for the change. This framing could unintentionally downplay Alara's athletic achievements and focus solely on the negative responses.
Language Bias
The article uses neutral language to describe the situation. Terms like "unsuitable comments" and "far-right" are factually accurate and avoid emotionally charged language. However, describing the surname's meaning as 'martyrs' might subtly influence reader perception without further context.
Bias by Omission
The article omits Alara's personal statement regarding her decision, if any exists. While acknowledging this lack of comment, the article focuses heavily on the interpretations of others, potentially neglecting her own perspective. The article also doesn't delve into the specifics of the online abuse she received, only stating it was 'unsuitable' and related to Nazism.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a clear dichotomy: either display the full name, risking exploitation by the far-right, or use only the first name to prevent this. It does not explore alternative solutions or methods of countering online hate speech.
Sustainable Development Goals
Alara Şehitler's decision to use only her first name on her jersey is a direct response to the misuse of her surname by far-right groups. This action aims to prevent the normalization and propagation of hateful ideologies associated with Nazism and Adolf Hitler. By removing the potential for her name to be co-opted for far-right purposes, she actively contributes to a more peaceful and just environment. This directly supports SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.