LMHR BARKING & DAGENHAM SCHOOLS LAUNCH BIG SUCCESS
Two secondary schools in the London borough of Barking & Dagenham today hosted events launching a borough-wide initiative by the Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR)campaign.
The two schools celebrated the diversity of their students and of the multicultural society they live in.
Two students at Barking Abbey School who’d already got involved in LMHR, asked their head and the campaign to arrange for Ms Dynamite to come in to address Years 9 & 10 students. The Mercury and MOBO-winning singer is closely associated with LMHR, having performed at our Manchester Carnival in 2002, and also at last October’s Anthony Walker Tribute Concert in Liverpool.
Today, in a specially written speech, she had a positive message to send out, celebrating the power of music to unite people and heal divisions.
“In my experience,” said the singer, “I have found that racism is a senseless destructive symbol of fear. What makes me laugh is that the same racist or fascist who hates black people, or Indians or Chinese or Turks, will go to a club on a Saturday night and sing along to Beyonce or Sean Paul or go to an Indian or Chinese on the way home, or enjoy a kebab. The same man will jump for joy when black Frenchman Thierry Henry scores an amazing goal. But we have the power to provide a future for ourselves, each other and those who follow us - where being different is not ridiculed or interpreted as an offence, but is seen for what it truly is - a beautiful gift. We can all get involved.”
Ms Dynamite’s speech was followed by questions from the students present, with some students joining her on the stage to perform themselves.
Across the borough at Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham, Liverpool based r&b boy-band Fade2 performed to a packed hall of 800 pupils.
Gez Smith, Deputy Head, reminded those present that this was a concert with a serious message of anti-racism and tolerance for one another. Zain from Fade2 talked of their mixed ethnic backgrounds but that ultimately they are all Liverpudlian, English and united through their love of music. They represented the LMHR cause perfectly, urging people not to judge a book by its cover and to celebrate multiculturalism. After a singing, dancing and, in places comedic performance from Fade 2, two school students followed to represent the home grown talent of the borough.
Throughout both events many students showed their interest in the campaign and signed up to get involved in the local branch, took away leaflets and purchased badges and t shirts. LMHR aims to work on similar events with all schools across the borough, along with staging a series of gigs in the area with high-profile artists performing for the cause.
Barking Abbey student Carolynn Hansen and Barking & Dagenham LMHR said:
“It was different to our usual school day, better than what we usually have … what Ms Dynamite said about the Chinese restaurant and the music really made me think. I’m not racist but what she said could make a lot of people who are think ‘I’m a bit of a hypocrite’. Having Ms Dynamite say those things made a difference, she’s a musician and more like us so we’ll listen to her more”
Councillor Milton McKenzie said:
“These brilliant performances are much needed in an area like Barking & Dagenham. This activity sends a strong message to all the people in Barking & Dagenham about what the LMHR campaign is and how to get involved. The right messages went out today and the Liverpool band Fade 2 were excellent. This is really showing us what can be done when the right people have the right attitude. Absolutely excellent!”
Dominic Byrne, NUT, said
“The Barking & Dagenham Association of the National Union of Teachers was grateful for the opportunity to help the Love Music Hate Racism make contacts and organise its events in two local comprehensive schools. Hopefully these successful performances will encourage other schools to participate and the events will become a local beacon against racism and fascism. We hope the pupils will carry forth the mssage of unity and hope and not hatred into the local community and beyond.”
Weyman Bennett, joint secretary UAF, national secretary ANL, said:
Today was a big success. These schools are truly a multicultural success story. Students, staff and guests all agreed these were tremendously positive events in the battle to combat racism across Barking & Dagenham and beyond.
Full text of Ms Dynamite’s speech and photos of today’s events will be found at the LMHR website shortly.
