Albion challenges pupils to show racism the red card

Albion in the Community ambassador, Victoria Williams shared her thoughts with more than 200 children at an online awareness day organised by Albion in the Community (AITC) and anti-discrimination charity, Show Racism the Red Card.

The online workshop included presentations from AITC and Show Racism the Red Card staff as well as interactive discussions and activities for children to think about different forms of discrimination, how it can affect people and the steps to tackle discrimination.

Pupils from local schools were then given the chance to ask a panel including Williams and Antef Tsoungui from Albion's under-23 squad about their experiences of racism and, importantly, what more can be done to tackle it.

Williams explained her own experiences directly to the children, “I had to change schools when I was seven years old because I was the only person without white skin in my primary school. In the town that I grew up in Yorkshire there wasn't much diversity.

“The more you can speak about it the better. If you can see that something isn't right, what is important is that you say something about it. You have the power to change racism, to call it out and challenge people who are discriminating. You'll help the person who is being discriminated more than you'll ever know.”

Antef agreed, “If I was giving advice to myself in primary school, I'd say 'don't let it slide', always tell someone if you're being discriminated. Tell your teachers so they can deal with it.”

The session was part of Albion in the Community's wide-ranging programme of educational workshops that are delivered in over 140 schools each year, many of which have been adapted as virtual workshops for schools during the pandemic. 

Speaking about the event, Albion in the Community's curriculum development officer Frazer Simpkins who facilitated the session said, “The popularity and reach of football as a sport and the players as role models gives us a great platform from which to promote inclusion and help break down barriers, not just in football but across society. 

“The work we do in schools and with partners like Show Racism the Red Card is so important, because together we are educating current and future generations to challenge racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour.”

To find out more about Albion in the Community’s work in schools, please click here.

To request support for your local school email: schools@albioninthecommunity.org.uk