Diversity was a source of richness whose bounty could only be harvested if everyone worked for the kind of society where each citizen realised their unique potential and contributed meaningfully, President Michael D Higgins told a group of young people yesterday in Dublin.
Speaking in the Aviva Stadium at the annual Show Racism the Red Card awards ceremony, the President said racist attitudes could express themselves beyond mere verbal abuse and physical assaults.
Racism could emerge “through the policies and services of our institutions when they fail to accommodate and respond appropriately to the needs of a particular section of a population”, he said.
Some 450 young people came to the awards ceremony from schools and youth and community groups in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Wicklow, Dublin, Louth, Limerick, Monaghan and Donegal. Each showed their commitment to diversity by making anti-racism posters and videos, writing prose and poetry, and staging events that celebrated ethnic differences.
Show Racism the Red Card seeks to combat racist attitudes by engaging with young people, frequently through sport, to help increase understanding of diversity and foster inclusiveness.
First prize went to pupils from St Eunan’s school in Raphoe, Co Donegal, who created a mosaic and got leading local and national figures to endorse their efforts by signing an anti-racism pledge.
Second prize went to Scoil Naomh Bríd in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, whose entry included an anti-racism board game.
Third prize went to Castaheany Educate Together school in Dublin 15.
[ theredcard.ie ]