Showing Racism the Red Card: Empowering Young People at the Stadium of Light
Molly reflects on a Show Racism the Red Card event she attended in Sunderland which is teaching the next generation about anti-racism.
PCS supports Show Racism the Red Card, the anti-racism charity that focuses primarily on delivering workshops to more than 50,000 young people each year across the UK. Community education plays a hugely important role in changing the narrative around racism and immigration.
PCS supports Show Racism the Red Card, the anti-racism charity that focuses primarily on delivering workshops to more than 50,000 young people each year across the UK. Community education plays a hugely important role in changing the narrative around racism and immigration.
In February, I had the privilege of attending the Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) event at the Stadium of Light, joining two Sunderland schools and a total of 95 enthusiastic year 5 and 6 pupils. From the moment the children arrived, the SRtRC team set the tone for an energetic and fun day. I was paired with a group of 30 bright and engaged pupils who threw themselves into every activity. The programme consisted of two workshops, a stadium tour, and a special panel featuring former Sunderland footballers who shared their experiences of racism both on and off the pitch.
The first workshop, led by David, tackled online racism and challenged harmful narratives that young people may encounter on social media. The session encouraged the pupils to think critically about what to do when they see hateful behaviour online. Using well‑known footballers as case studies as well as emojis, David helped the children understand the real impact that negative comments and trolling can have, and what to do if they, or someone they know is being targeted.
The stadium tour proved a highlight for many of the pupils. While on the tour we spotted the Monkwearmouth Miners’ Association banner proudly on display. The tour guide briefly explained the banner is only removed from the stadium for Durham Miners’ Gala each year – a reminder of the cities deep trade union roots.
After the tour, it was straight into the second activity, led by Richard, which explored stereotypes and how these stereotypes can fuel racism. The children learned that where a person is born doesn’t determine their skin colour – our skin tone comes from our parents, not our birthplace. They then discussed different stereotypes between boys and girls and then discussed how stereotypes are not factual and can be harmful.
The day concluded with a panel featuring former Sunderland players, including club legend Gary Bennett MBE, Sunderland’s first Black captain. Pupils asked questions where there were able to demonstrate what they had learnt that day, asking about the players’ personal experiences with racism in football and everyday life. The students demonstrated what they had learnt that day.