KGS students launch anti-racism campaign including a story about “Beuy” the black Orkney vole!

A group of young students from Kirkwall Grammar School are tackling racism head on with a series of planned activities over the coming months.

The Anti-Racism Group – under the guidance of Theo Ogbhemhe, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies teacher – have received funding of just over £4,000 from the Scottish Government to drive forward the anti-racism events. The students will also be fundraising for a further £2,500 to enable them to carry out all that they have planned through non-uniform days, bake sales and a raffle.

The activities include a free musical festival, a new anti-racism story book for children telling the story of Beuy the black Orkney vole, the purchase of anti-racism books for the school library and community libraries in Orkney, a talk by an anti-racism speaker and anti-racism hoodies as school uniform.

Theo was named the first ever recipient of the Saroj Lal Award for his efforts in making society a better place for everyone, challenging discrimination and promoting equality.

Saroj Lal was a trailblazer working at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education in its early years and laying the foundations for many others to build on.

Theo is working hard to instil these important virtues within his students.

“The award was a stepping-stone towards doing more work to promote equality and challenge discrimination. Our community at the school and within Orkney have done a lot of work already but there’s more to be done.

“I want to see a world where the majority see promoting equality and diversity, and actively challenging discrimination as their individual duty. A world where social justice drives our actions.

“The Anti-Racism Group at KGS is made up of 25 pupils who are continuing this great work and making arrangements for a number of important events to raise awareness and challenge others to become more inclusive.”

The first activity involves a ‘Making Noise Against Discrimination/Racism music festival and Anti-Racism Anthem’.

Group member Iona said: “Music has always been a source for values, not only because of the power it has to effect change, but also because it is an avenue for bringing people together. Music in its entire genre has always and is still a popular past time activity and a medium of expression in Orkney.”

Fellow Group member, Fraser, added: “As a school, Kirkwall Grammar School has always capitalised on using music to reach out to the wider community. The school and this Group have hosted ‘Making Noise…’ music concerts/festivals in the past, and they have been successful in creating the needed opportunity to share knowledge on social issues.

“The festival will showcase local, national, and international musicians. Stars in their own rights, who have been singing against racism, other forms of discrimination and the inequalities they create. One of the musicians is recording the ‘Anti-Racism Anthem’.”

There will be two shows at KGS and two for the wider community to attend within the Orkney Theatre.

The music festival is being supported by Gregory Azemobor of the Azemobor Gregory Foundation https://azemoborgregoryfoundation.org/ in paying for musicians from Nigeria to attend. Money raised by non-uniform days will be used to pay for the flights for the musicians from Edinburgh and local hoteliers have offered free accommodation for the musicians.

The Group have an agreement with Slade Njoku, an author based in the USA and author of ‘Akula the Black Bird’ who has agreed to join the Group to write an Orcadian tale for children, one that tells the story of Beuy the black Orkney vole. The Orkney Ba of the vole kingdom is approaching and Beuy, who thinks his black fur look ugly and dirty, seeks the help of friends to become ginger/white, shiny, and the envy of other voles.

Fellow Group members Caragh and Morgan, said: “It’s so exciting to be part of the creation of a book that not only features a creature unique to Orkney but also with such important messaging to be shared with children and also those that may be reading the books to children.”

Professor Simon Aihiokhai will be sharing some wise words during a talk entitled ‘Label yourself an ‘anti-racist’ and be a part of the solution: The ABC to fighting racism’. He will also be training teachers on racial literacy, focusing on how pedagogy can be used to challenge discrimination and show that there is no reason to treat someone different because of the colour of their skin.

The talk will be via Teams and open to schools and the wider community to join.

The Group plan to introduce Fairtrade cotton school uniform hoodies with anti-racism messages on the back of them as an efficient way of spreading the anti-racism message that if society does not challenge racism, then it accepts that racism is ok. The hoodies will be used as prizes for the ‘Challenge racism: Action not words’ poster competition that will be open to pupils from every education setting in Orkney.

The Group have purchased a list of books for the KGS and community libraries in Kirkwall and Stromness. These are a mix of books for children, young people and adults, aimed at helping them learn about and investigate racism.

Group members Lachlan and Violet said: “We presented 36 anti-racism books to the local library. We also used the opportunity to present 18 anti-racism books to the local anti-racism group, Orkney Oot Wae Racism.

“We are really hopeful that people in Orkney will get involved in some of the activities that we have planned, pick up one the books to read, and moving forwards help create a better world for everyone – we all have to start somewhere and this is what we are doing in our peedie corner of Orkney!”

Theo added: “It is a thing of joy to see young people focusing on finding solutions to an issue they collectively feel so passionate about. They are using their time to make great changes to the space they occupy. They have done well and deserve all the credit and help they need.”

More details will follow in the run up to the events.