Region will show racism a red card
St Johnstone Community Trust will deliver Show Racism the Red Card virtual workshops in Perth and Kinross schools in the coming weeks.
The project had been put on hold due to the pandemic but a pilot programme just before Christmas allowed coaches to see how it worked being delivered remotely.
The news comes in the week a former Minneapolis police officer was convicted of murdering George Floyd in May 2020.
George Floyd’s murder last year sparked outrage and Black Lives Matters protests worldwide.
A spokeswoman for the St Johnstone Community Trust said: “It really is an important year.”
Just before Christmas virtual Show Racism the Red Card workshops were held with Tulloch, Letham and North Muirton primary schools in Perth as a pilot to see what worked and what did not work holding them remotely.
The Saints spokeswoman said: “There had been the Black Lives Matters protests just before so they (the kids) had a lot of questions.”
She added: “They ask questions and we encourage them to ask questions. It’s a safe environment. They do not need to worry if they have said something wrong. This is a learning space.”
Coaches then educate pupils about racism. The training the coaches themselves receive evolves and is kept up to date with key issues that are relevant.
Earlier this week Perth and Kinross councillors praised the work done in this partnership project as councillors met to discuss PKC’s equality outcomes and mainstreaming report.
SNP Perth City North councillor John Rebbeck said: “St Johnstone Football Club has been fantastic.
“It’s probably worth noting that Scottish football at its highest level probably does have a more diverse nature in terms of race than Scottish society generally.
“And if we can replicate that at a grassroots level it’s only to be welcomed.”
Corporate equalities team leader David McPhee said: “We have the longest running partnership with Show Racism the Red Card than any other local authority in Scotland and we are very proud of that fact.”
He added: “It’s not just the same thing they get every year. It’s topical as to what the main subjects are and it can be adapted where issues are at a local level if required.”
Lib Dem Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett said over 1000 pupils had participated in the previous academic year and gave an example of how they responded to local issues.
PKC’s equalities champion Cllr Barrett said: “We have been able to draw upon their experience and expertise in response to issues of racism against gypsy travellers.”