I WAS mulling over what to write for my Fair Point in today's paper.

There were a few different options, but I decided to write about arguably the most difficult subject: race.

Watching the TV footage from America of complete chaos in the streets was truly horrifying, and we should all look deeply at our own reactions to what is happening right now.

It is difficult to write about race, being a middle-class white man, because I know I am unlikely to ever face any kind of racial discrimination in my life, but that does not mean I should ignore the people who do.

There has to be some real change in society where we can all recognise that racism is still alive and needs to be fought harder than ever.

The fact is, I could walk down the street whether here or in America feeling fairly safe that I wouldn't be shot or assaulted by the police. Sadly, for many, that is not the case.

I am not condoning destruction of property or civil unrest, but when peaceful protests fail, what other option is there?

Colin Kaepernick took the knee in peaceful, dignified protest, because he felt the flag he was saluting did not represent him.

What was the response to his peaceful protest? He was booed by his own fans, called a son of a ***** by his own president and he has not played a professional game since 2017.

All he did was voice his opinion that too many black people are discriminated against in American society, saying: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.

"To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

That was back in 2016, what has changed since then?

And this is not a uniquely American set of circumstances, just look at the accounts of the likes of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

We need to start listening to them. They know far more about it than we ever could.

It isn't enough to shrug your shoulders and ignore it. Hatred and racism is a stain on any nation and on any society, and we should call it out wherever it festers. Please, for the sake of us all, stop the hate.