"White thought", this is the book of the well-known ex-footballer Lilian Turam. After shining on the field with Monaco, Juventus and Barcelona, as well as the titles of world champion in 1998 and European champion in 2000 with France, Turam has joined the movements against racism, sexism and homophobia.
In his book, which is now also available in Albanian for readers, he raises very important questions. "What is being white?", "More than skin color, isn't it the color of thought?" and "Who invented it and why?".
The book tells the history of white thought, its origin and operation. The way it spread, how it spread and how it became so universal. According to Lilian Turam "for centuries, white thinking is the norm, hierarchical fossilization, domination schemes and customs that have been imposed on us".
***
Erald Kodheli: LilianThuram, you started a very important campaign, where you talk about issues of racism, but also about sexism, homophobia and the problems of society in general. How much it helped you to be Thuram, this great player, world and European champion to raise your voice about these very important issues.
Thuram: I believe we must have the courage to understand that racism, sexism and homophobia are the result of an inherited culture. We must fearlessly face these problems, in order to educate the youngest. To create a society where there is more justice. I admit that being a former footballer gives me the opportunity to speak about these issues. Young people listen to me more carefully, given that I won the World Cup and the European Cup, which I played in Italy and France. I take advantage of this status of mine to tell young people that we must have the courage to understand what happens and change the negative attitudes we may have against people of different color, gender or sex.
Erald Kodheli: These causes come from what you experienced in the past when you played, or do you see them as problems even in the present? Has something changed?
Thuram: I made this book because, unfortunately, from a young age I remember a football player from Cameroon who was insulted by fans. I played football in Italy, even there there were insults based on the color of the skin. Even now that I don't play anymore, these episodes recur. We have seen with Lukaku in Italy, with Vinicius in Spain. We did not reflect properly. As long as racism continues today, after so many years, it means that not enough has been done. I believe that each of us should reflect and understand that what is happening is not right.
Erald Kodheli: This is the book. "White thought" title in Albanian, "La pensée blanche" in French...
Thuram: I am very happy, because I came to Albania to talk about this book. I feel very proud. The publishing house "Papirus" decided to translate it into Albanian as well. The book has been translated into Italian, English or Spanish. To be honest, this was a surprise to me. I am very happy. I thank the publishing house, because it was something I did not expect. I feel really satisfied.
Erald Kodheli: Albania has a very special relationship with France, because in 2016 we participated in the first ever European Championship. Now we are on our way to Germany 2024, because we only need one point in the last two games... I don't know if you have any congratulations, because you also learned the eagle symbol, which we will do later.. .
Thuram: I had a very nice meeting with the mayor of Tirana. I really hope that Albania gets the point it needs. Football is a very difficult and complicated sport. You should not think that you are missing only one point and you have reached the objective. I hope that Albania will be in the European Championship in Germany, together with France.
Erald Kodheli: Will we do the eagle symbol?
Thuram: Wait for us to make a big...
Erald Kodheli: Yes, let's keep our fingers open...
Thuram: aaaa... very beautiful..
Erald: Lilian Thuram, thank you...
(A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
