A new video aimed at combating racist myths against asylum seekers has
been released by the football based campaign ‘Show Racism the Red Card’.
Produced to a high quality ‘A Safe Place’ lasts just over 35 minutes
and
is broken into four sections; allowing teachers and youth workers the
opportunity to incorporate all or selected part [s] into a lesson or
session they are organising with young people. An accompanying resource
pack full of interesting facts, tips on how to use the video and important
ideas for discussions afterwards is included with the video at a price of
only £10.00.
The video interweaves the experiences of young asylum seekers alongside
the views and comments of well-known past and present footballers
beginning with ex-England centre forward and now TV Presenter Gary Lineker
asking viewers to “try and step inside their [the asylum seekers] shoes”
and “what if it were me?”
Said from Tanzania and Suhura from Somalia explain why they left their
homes and travelled thousands of miles in search of a safe place to live,
escaping from war and persecution, including the death of one or more of
their relatives, and leaving behind their friends and school mates.
As the Newcastle United footballer Lomana Lau Lau, who came to Britain
from the Congo Republic at the age of eight or nine, says asylum seekers
“come her for help”. The currently on-loan star at Portsmouth can
speak
from his experience of knowing that his dad was fleeing from persecution
and almost certain death in his home country in the early 1990s.
The ‘True or False’ refugees and asylum seekers quiz can be tackled
in a
few minutes; and is certain to provoke in all but the most hardened minds
doubts that the media presentation of the issues surrounding asylum and
immigration is accurate.
The video and pack also contains a whole series of ideas for follow up
work in the classroom and in youth clubs afterwards. In school it could be
used in a wide variety of subjects including Citizenship, English,
History, Religious Education, PSHE, Geography, ICT and Art and Design.
Produced by SRTRC with support from Amnesty International and the Refugee
Council the video and pack could prove a useful tool in fighting the
growth of racism and fascism amongst young people. Highly recommended for
teachers and youth workers, but with one small criticism that a future
video should consider trying to explain why there are conflicts and
poverty in the world. Difficult I am sure, but necessary.
The ‘a Safe Place’ video and information pack can be ordered at
a cost of
£10, which includes postage and packing, from Show Racism the Red Card,
PO
Box 141, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear NE26 3YH or by phoning 0191 291 0160
or by e-mail to Ged@TheRedCard.org