Primary seven pupils from two Edinburgh schools ditched their classrooms and took part in a day of fun and interactive education at Easter Road yesterday in an event organised by Show Racism the Red Card who were delighted to host their first event of the season within the Edinburgh Suite of the West Stand.
Show Racism the Red Card is anti-racist educational charities who aim to combat racism through enabling role models, who are predominately but not exclusively footballers, to present an anti-racist message to young people and others.
The youngsters from St Mary’s and Lorne Primary engaged in various activities throughout the day that promoted anti-racism, anti-sectarianism and overall messages of equality and respect.
One particular highlight came in the afternoon where the pupils posed as media journalists and had the opportunity to ask questions on racism and sectarianism to a guest panel which included Hibs’ stars Liam Craig and club captain James McPake along with former hero Michael Weir.
The young people, many of whom admitted to being season ticket holders at the club, carried out preparatory work before attending the event so they were armed with thought provoking questions and eager to embark on the role play activity and proudly introduce their newspaper and questions.
This event proved a great way of educating the pupils in attendance of the dangers of racism and sectarianism, empowering them to become active citizens, safely challenging racism and sectarianism in their own communities and beyond.
Show Racism the Red Card used this event to announce the launch of their anti-racism/anti-sectarianism Creative Competition.
This year is the 10th Anniversary of the competition and SRTRC are looking at celebrating the diverse cultures and heritage that make Scotland the place it is today. Using Scotland’s heritage as a theme, they are looking for those taking part to develop a piece of creative work that gets across clear messages of anti-racism and anti-sectarianism.
This competition is open to all schools and colleges across Scotland and culminates with an awards ceremony at Hampden Park.
Vicki Burns, Campaign Manager said “The Creative Competition is a fantastic opportunity for young people around Scotland to get involved with the campaign whilst showing that racism and sectarianism is not welcome in Scotland. “
Hibs’ summer signing Liam Craig who is the competition ambassador said “Being the Ambassador for this competition is a great opportunity for me to work along with Show Racism the Red Card and help school and college students be creative whilst helping raise the profile and awareness of Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland.”
Cllr Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Show Racism the Red Card make a huge contribution to tackling racism and sectarianism in Scotland. I’m delighted they are working with young people here in Edinburgh.”
Several excited youngsters including Valerie Walker, Gabriel Mooney, Louisa Smith, Antoine Guiat and Rhiannon Fraser had the added bonus of having their photographs taken along with Ruth McGeogh from ‘Show Racism the Red Card in the West Stand and next to the hallowed turf.
Afterwards, Ruth McGeogh told the Edinburgh Reporter: “The young people had two workshops this morning, one on anti-racism and one on anti-sectarianism where they got to explore where racism comes from, why it is here and what they can do to tackle it. This afternoon they became newspaper reporters themselves and took part in a question and answer session with Liam Craig and James McPake of Hibernian Football Club along with some other panel members. It’s a really good opportunity for the young people to put their voices and opinions out there.”
The full interview can be head here.
The Creative Competition is now open and the deadline for entries is Friday 31st January 2014.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
