I have rto say I never knew anything about Howard Gayle, Liverpools first black player - but I have alot of respect for him turning down a MBE.
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/ex-liverpool-blackburn-player-gayle-declines-mbe? Howard Gayle turned down an MBE because accepting the honour would have been a "betrayal" of those who suffered under British colonial rule.
Former Liverpool player Howard Gayle has explained his reasons for turning down a Member of the British Empire nomination.
Gayle, who became Liverpool's first black player in 1977, was put forward for the honour - commonly known as an MBE and awarded by the constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom for outstanding achievements, public service and charitable work - on account of his involvement with the anti-racism football educational charity Show Racism the Red Card.
But the 58-year-old felt to accept the honour would be a "betrayal" of his ancestors in Africa who suffered under British colonial rule.
In a post on his Facebook page, Gayle said: "Most of you who are on my FB page are aware of the work that I do tackling racism and the work I do for Show Racism the Red Card.
"And for that work, yesterday I was nominated for a MBE. Unfortunately I had to decline the nomination for the reason that my ancestors would be turning in their graves after how Empire and Colonialism had enslaved them.
"This is a decision that I have had to make and there will be others who may feel different and would enjoy the attraction of being a Member of the British Empire and [having] those three letters after their name.
"But I feel that it would be a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives or who have suffered as a result of Empire."