Why not love instead?
“In my opinion it comes down to hating something for the sake of hating it. Why not love instead?” football legend and antiracism campaigner John Barnes told a Show Racism the Red Card event in Manchester attended by PCS activists.
The former Liverpool and England winger was speaking at the charity’s event at Old Trafford football stadium on Tuesday. The charity is affiliated with many trade unions, so several PCS members were selected to attend the event and present awards, alongside John and fellow former footballer Viv Anderson. PCS members Macy Sheil, Patrick Brannan (regional young members’ network) Zulf Aziz (regional Black members’ network) and Apryl Walcott (PCS North West Organiser) attended and presented awards to schoolchildren for their anti-racism work.
PCS’s anti-racism and anti-fascism (ARAF) strategy commits us to confronting racism wherever it appears – whether on the streets, in our workplaces, or in our communities.
Key work
SRtRc is the leading anti-racism educational charity in the UK and celebrated its 30th anniversary in January. It often works with current and former footballers to use their influence and experiences to educate on anti-racism.
John, a patron of SRtRC, frequently advocates for tackling the root causes of racism in society, not just within football stadiums. He told the audience: “Racism, I have never understood it my whole life. Why someone could hate another over their culture, colour or even religion?
“It’s a common thing in the human species but why start wars over the very thing that makes a person a person? Racism is never the way, it never fixes anything. Togetherness, unlike racism, is a much better route than that of war or hatred. It binds us together. The human race is stronger together.”
The PCS members had the chance to take a look at all the competition winners' art, poetry, prose, video entries and there was even a drama performance from secondary school students. It was really great to see children from year 1-11 taking a passionate active interest in anti-racism, values which are essential to trade unionism.
MP Kim Leadbeater was in attendance to present the Jo Cox memorial award in honour of her sister.
Read Patrick’s blog post in which he commends young people from across the country coming together to be awarded for the belief and understanding of the power of anti-racism.
Visit the Show Racism the Red Card website to find out more about getting involved.