This Year St Kevin’s Community College has been lucky enough to be selected, along with only four other schools, to participate in the Yellow Flag programme. This is an excellent opportunity for the school to help fight Racism in the school and in the community.
So, What is the Yellow Flag Programme?
- The Yellow Flag Programme works with students, staff, management, parents and wider community groups so that issues of diversity and equality are not merely seen as “school subjects” but can be understood and taken outside the school setting into everyone’s personal lives. Similar to the Green Schools Programme, the Yellow Flag is an award scheme. On successfully completing the following 8 steps and being evaluated externally, the school is awarded its Yellow Flag in recognition of its work in promoting diversity & inclusivism. Click here for more information
So What does this mean for St Kevin’s CC?
- Over the next year we will be working toward becoming a Yellow Flag school by celebrating the diversity in our school and becoming anti-racist ambassadors for not only the school but the school community.
How will this be achieved?
- A Diverse Committee will be created with Students, teacher, parents and people from our community to help achieve our goals as a school.
- Our school population have to become more conscious of the presence of racism and work toward a more equal and non-discriminative school environment.
- Be open minded to multicultural events in the school and take part, and respect, specific classes on the topic of racism, multiculturalism and equality.
Yellow Flag influencer for March – Oein DeBharduin
Facts about Oein DeBharduin:
In 2018/2019 he was the first Traveller man to take up a position in the Oireachtas of Ireland that holds the power to shape the laws of the country.
Oein wrote the first book documenting Irish Traveller stories ‘Why the Moon Travels’ published by Skein Press, Autumn 2020 (Copies of this are available in the school library).
March
Anti-Racism Month
Why March?
March is an important month for both Irish and global Anti-Racism Movements due to various international celebrations focusing on combating racism and celebrating diversity taking place:
- 21 st March marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the most important day in every anti-racist’s calendar. On that day in 1960, the Apartheid regime’s police opened fire and killed 69 Black people at a peaceful demonstration for equality and against apartheid laws in Sharpeville, South Africa. Since this date has been declared, in remembrance of the harmful impact of racism on individuals and communities, people across the globe on that day show their opposition to racism and solidarity with those affected by it. Every year the day has a different focus to mark the most burning anti-racism issue.
- The week leading to 21st of March marks the European Action Week Against Racism celebrated annually under different slogans.
- Additionally to the above dates, the week following 21st March marks the UN Week of Solidarity with the People Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.
Events
March 11: Maha Shivarati, Hindu festival celebrated each year to honor Lord Shiva. It is celebrated just before the arrival of spring.
It is also known as the Great Night of Shiva or Shivaratri and is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights of India.
March 11: Lailat al Miraj, a Muslim holiday that commemorates the prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to the “Farthest Mosque” in Jerusalem, where he ascended to heaven, was purified, and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily. Note that in the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Lailat al Miraj on the sundown of March 10.
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday started in Ireland to recognize St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the country in the early days of the faith.
March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually in the wake of the 1960 killing of 69 people at a demonstration against apartheid pass laws in South Africa. The United Nations proclaimed the day in 1966 and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a United Nations international observation that offers the opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. First observed in 2008, the international day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
March 28th Palm Sunday – Christian
Passover – Judaism
Holika Dahan – Hindu
Lailat al Bara’ah – Islam
Suggested Reading
https://www.adifferentbooklist.com/?q=h
Movies
Teacher Resources
Show Racism The Red Card – click image for resources
Challenge Prejudice and Bust Stereotypes