The SRtRC team were at the Riverside Stadium to work in partnership with Middlesbrough F.C to educate young people about the dangers of racism
On Wednesday 28th September, Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) held an educational event at the Riverside Stadium and worked in partnership with Middlesbrough F.C & Middlesbrough Foundation to educate local young people about the dangers of racism. Over 60 young people from local primary schools attended the event which saw the Year 5/6’s take part in an educational workshop, see a screening of the SRtRC film and take part in a Q&A with a panel of special guests. North Ormesby Academy and Hemlington Hall primary were the schools that attended the afternoon event which was held in the Hardwick Suite.
After a quick introduction to the afternoon the young people went straight into an educational workshop which was led by Campaign Worker, James Kingett, from SRtRC. The workshop made young people explore stereotypes and think critically about the way in which we stereotype. The young people engaged in thoughtful and honest conversation with their peers about the dangers of stereotyping.
The young people further developed their understanding of racism by watching the 22-minute Show Racism the Red Card educational film, which provides an excellent introduction to the subject of racism.
Throughout the afternoon the young people had been asked to start thinking of questions that they would like to ask the panel of special guests at the end of the day. With suspicion building among the young people of who might be attending the Q&A it was time to introduce the panel.
With suspicion building among the young people of who might be attending the Q&A it was time to introduce the panel. Barry Coppinger the Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner who funds a great deal of the work carried out by SRtRC in schools, clubs and teacher training events sat on the panel to answer questions from young people. Also joining Barry on the panel was Linda Hughes from Unite the Union who is the NEYH Union Learning Organiser. Also adding to the panel was a familiar face for the young people as SRtRC Campaign Worker, James, sat on the panel. Also joining James on the panel were two more familiar faces, Middlesbrough F.C first team players, Julien de Sart and Calum Chambers.
Young people from each primary school put forward a variety of questions to the panel regarding racism. What would you if you saw someone suffering from racist abuse? Have you ever heard or experienced racism? Has anybody you know suffered from racism? Were just a few examples of the questions that the panel were taking it in turn to answer. The current players explained to the young what they should do if they experience racism and who they can report it to. The other panel members provided brilliant advice for the young people on how to report racism and what each person can do to tackle racism.
Show Racism the Red Card would like to thank everyone at Middlesbrough F.C for their support in organising the event, a special thanks to Yvonne Ferguson for all her help and support. Once again a big thank you to Barry Coppinger for his continued support of the campaign and for giving SRtRC the opportunity to carry out educational work in the area. The campaign would also like to thank Linda Hughes for taking the time to sit on the panel and answer questions from the young people. The power of role-models to educate young people should never be underestimated, therefore, a massive thank you to Julien de Sart and Calum Chambers. And finally, Show Racism the Red Card would like to thank all the young people for their honest engagement from start to finish.
