Lanterna Rally

Author: Stella Dadzie

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 107

ISBN-13: 9780861551712

This book describes a project, the Bede Detached Youth Work Project, that was designed to combat racism in a community in London (England). It also presents information that should be useful to community workers and activists, teachers, and others involved in antiracist work with young people. An introduction provides an overview of the project and its background, aims, and anticipated outcomes. Evidence of racist activity in the area suggested that black people were becoming easy targets for the frustrations and political impotence experienced by the local white community. Although the focus of the project was white youth, between 15 and 20 individual young people from minority backgrounds and a group of young men from Somalia also took part. With government funding, the Bede House Association began its work in the local housing estates (projects). The section "Year One: Growing Pains" describes the project's first 12 months and the challenges of program implementation. "Year Two: Successes and Setbacks" covers the project's second year, focusing on practical action and the implementation of work with young people. Two cornerstones of the effort were work with young black people to develop confidence when faced with racism and work with young people with racist attitudes and street gangs to promote antiracist ideas. "Year Three: Well, It Worked for Us" focuses on consolidation of the work and the strategies used to combat various racist ideas, including racist assumptions about immigration. The final section, "Discussion and Training Notes," suggests structured tasks and discussions that can be used for training and staff development. The illustrations include many photographs taken by project participants. Eighteen sources are suggested for further reading. (SLD)