THERE is a continuing misunderstanding of the phrase "black lives matter".

This misunderstanding is the response "all lives matter".

You look at the comments section underneath a story about the Black Lives Matter movement or on social media in relation to a post about Black Lives Matter and absolutely, without a doubt, someone will have replied to say they believe that all lives matter.

Surprise - the Black Lives Matter movement also believes all lives matter. But it's not a campaign for all lives, it's a campaign for black lives.

I often wonder if these people who are so keen to shout about all lives mattering also pop up in newspaper comment sections under stories about Cancer Research UK to say that, actually, heart disease kills too so why is Cancer Research UK only focusing on cancer.

Of course not, because they are somehow able to understand that, in some cases, it's ok for a group to only focus on one issue.

Perhaps they might like to have a think about why that is.

The best analogy I've seen about Black Lives Matter - and it's embarrassing that we have to go down the line of using analogies to explain quite straightforward concepts, but here we are - is of a burning house.

One residential street, lots of houses but only one house is on fire.

The fire brigade turns up and where does it direct its hoses? At the burning building.

Yes, the neighbouring houses are at risk of fire too, but the burning building is in greater need of the resources.

Its problems are immediate and pressing in a way that the non-blazing houses are not.

Your house also matters, but it's not burning down.

That analogy might help you, it might not. It might persuade you, it might not.

But if you're not willing to pause and examine your views, to stop and think about the metaphorical burning building then maybe stop to think about why that is.

"All Lives Matter," was strongly apparent in the response to Rangers taking the knee on Saturday. Social media was a pit of criticism of the action but also awash with post after post of  "all lives matter" whataboutery.

It took until yesterday for managing director Stewart Robertson to condemn the abuse which followed the taking the knee gesture on Saturday.

His move followed a post by Rangers star Connor Goldson on Sunday night, who commendably took to Instagram to condemn an apparent Ibrox supporter who told him to "leave our club ASAP" after taking the knee.

Goldson wrote: "... these are fans of OUR club. I know it's a minority and I'm not suggesting otherwise, however as a majority who stand by us we need to make a stand to be heard.

"What I will say is players see these comments and they hurt us!"

That post put the issue firmly in the spotlight, and lots of Rangers supporters were quick to condemn the comments, but the onus shouldn’t be on the players to speak out first.

The Ibrox side's diversity and inclusion programme marks its first anniversary tomorrow and it is a progressive and admirable initiative.

But it may be seen as an empty gesture when players suffer well documented abuse on social media, as happens most weekends, and no action is taken.

You might disagree with the politicisation of sport - though that's a tough position to argue given that sport has always been political - but surely if you support the club, you support the players and want to see the club portrayed in the best possible light.

If you're a supporter who excuses bigotry you're just harming your own team and making life worse for the players you rely on to bring your club to the top of the league.

It's not been a particularly good week for the reputation of the Rangers support.

Last week The Bristol Bar installed social distancing flooring that urged pub goers to stamp on a photo of Scott Brown, calling the Celtic skipper a "clown".

It might have been an attempt at humour but it was badly misplaced, showing a real lack of awareness about what the club itself is trying to do to tackle sectarianism and what the current public mood is like.

Friendly rival banter is one thing but this just showed a lack of decency.

There will be people reading this who are tutting about my "agenda" or "anti-Rangers bias".

Let me just state for the record that I have absolutely no interest in football at all and no allegiance one way or another.

I am, though, surrounded by family and friends who are Rangers supporters and what I know is that the racist and sectarian "supporters" are a minority.

The majority are decent people who feel embarrassed by abuse and hatred towards players because of their skin colour.

It doesn't help the players, it doesn't help the club and any right-thinking person can see racism must be eradicated.

"Rangers is a club for all," Mr Robertson said.

Fine words but it's up to the club and, importantly, the club support to make that statement a reality.