Rebecca James reports from an important anti-racism initiative…
The Gallery of Leyton Orient’s stadium last week played host to over 130 local school children last week, all there to participate in a workshop about anti-racism.
‘Show Racism The Red Card’ is the UK’s anti-racism educational charity, using the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. The campaign works to deliver education to young people and adults in their schools, their workplaces and at events held in football stadia, but this time the students were surprised with an added bonus as two of the O’s players attended to show their support.
The workshop started with a short film, featuring professional footballers and familiar faces talking about their experiences of racism. The children then had an hour workshop on the different types of racism including skin colour, ethnicity, religion and culture.
After the workshop, Kevin Lisbie and Lloyd James arrived to answer the children’s questions about their personal experiences of racism throughout their football careers.
Lisbie has been subject to racist abuse, and advised, “The best thing to do is to never lower yourselves to their level, just report them.”
He added afterwards, “It’s good for the kids to learn about racism at a young age, it is something that needs to be tackled and I was happy to share my experiences and answer their questions.”
Perry, a year 6 teacher at Curwen Primary School in Newham, said, “In our school in Newham, there are so many children from all backgrounds and all walks of life, it is a very diverse borough and I think it’s very important that they appreciate not only their own culture but other cultures as well. It is only through education that things like racism and hopefully other kinds of prejudice can be stopped.”
He added, “Listening from the players themselves and hearing true life accounts and hearing their experiences helped get the message on board. They are role models.”
At the end of the afternoon, the pupils then got time to meet the players and have team posters signed by the O’s pair – Gary Sawyer even popped in at the end to meet the pupils and sign the posters.
Zara, a pupil from Aldersbrook Primary School, said, “I enjoyed today because I learnt a lot about racism and the people that do it and how to stop it.”
Manisha Tailor from the Show Racism the Red Card team, said, “Working with SRtRC allows me to use my personal journey and experiences to empower young people on issues around racism. Leyton Orient provide the much needed community support needed for us to deliver this work.”