By Ajmal Miah, Bristol Students Stand Up to Racism
On Thursday, 7th of December, we at Stand Up to Racism Bristol had the pleasure to speak at an assembly to over one hundred children enrolled on the brilliant education courses in the various Bristol City Community Trust education programs. This was a fantastic opportunity to reach out to football fans and highlight the importance of anti-racist activities, particularly in the volatile political environments we are immersed in today.
Speaking to a large group of young students is easier said than done! Children, particularly when surrounded by their peers, are not very likely to put their hands up and voice their opinions, which is why sometimes open questions sometimes fall flat. They took the issue of racism very seriously and were visibly very receptive to what we do. Although thankfully not many of them had experienced instances of racism firsthand, they have heard of stories in the news like the story of the black man being forced off a train by Chelsea supporters a few years ago in Paris, and also if you can cast your mind before that, an incident when a Villarreal supporter threw a banana at Barcelona defender Dani Alves.
Of course, one of the pressing issues in regards to anti-racism in football is the emergence of the Football Lads Alliance (the FLA). We spoke about how the beautiful game can be hijacked by groups with nasty racist agendas. The vast majority of the kids present had never heard of the Football Lads Alliance, and the few that have did not know much about them. However, educating young people on these matters is of incredible importance – whenever a group like that is formed and trying to recruit people, we must teach people to ask: what are their intentions? Because on paper, of course almost everyone is anti-terrorism!
The crux of the FLA and our current political environment is the subject of Islamophobia. We went in there to give the message that nobody should feel unwelcome in a stadium or anywhere because of their religious beliefs or the colour of their skin – this message was resoundingly concurred by the audience as we all held a sheet of paper with Football for All written on it! Another key goal is activity, Bristol City do a national Kick it Out day, so the plan is setting up a stall on the ground on that day to raise awareness, the absolutely incredible and friendly staff members assured us they will let us know the date before the Christmas holidays.
