Student Wins National Anti-Racism Competition with Powerful Poem

We are incredibly proud to announce that Year 10 student, Theresa, has won a prestigious national anti-racism competition with her heartfelt and powerful poem titled The Diary of 'THAT' Black Girl.

The competition, organised by Show Racism the Red Card, is an annual event aimed at encouraging young people to express their thoughts and experiences about racism through creative writing, art, and multimedia. Theresa’s moving poem captured the judges' attention with its raw emotion and important message, making her a well-deserved winner.

Theresa will be officially recognised for her achievement at an awards celebration held at Nottingham Forest’s ground. This special event will not only honour her outstanding work but also celebrate the voices of young people who are courageously standing up against racism.

Mr Fletcher commented, "We are so proud of Theresa for her achievement. Her poem speaks volumes about her experiences and her courage to raise awareness and make a change. Her voice and talent are truly inspiring."

Congratulations, Theresa! Your courage, creativity, and passion are an inspiration to us all. We look forward to seeing your continued success and the positive impact your words will undoubtedly have on others.

For more details about the competition, visit Show Racism the Red Card’s website.

Theresa's Poem is below:

THE DIARY OF 'THAT' BLACK GIRL

Day 1

Dear diary, when will this stop?

When will the words and actions that hurt me like daggers cease and start healing like an old wound? At the tender age of seven, a teacher told me that I was less likely to be successful than a white person because I was a person of colour. I remember laughing, thinking, “What is my teacher talking about?”

 The days go on…

Now, the memory of that conversation slaps me in the face like a wake-up call. The reality of being black is dark and bleak. People ask, “You look exotic. Where are you from?” “Do you think your hair is appropriate?” “OMG, you look like that one black girl!”

That one black girl!

Why do I get compared to a funny, fat black woman when you get compared to a famous and successful white woman? Why do I have to feel uncomfortable because I know no one in the room looks like me, and we are discussing slavery? Why do I have to take all the racism and the “jokes” you make, but when I speak out, nothing gets done? People will try to speak about racism as if they know how I feel, but the words in the back of my head say, “Fighting”

So that’s what I do I punch I hit. I let all my anger out on that one person that made me feel that anger. After all, that is all I feel! 

Nothing 

The memory and the pain of what I’ve just done, runs through the back of my head shame blasts through my body.

But only if …

Only if I had someone to tell me and reassure me that everything’s gonna be okay,

someone to reassure me that my voice is heard as a black girl,

someone to reassure me through all the pain and suffering I go through day-to-day.

That I will make it out of this.

But nothing…

Just silence

I want to make a change. I want to stand up so my sisters and my brothers are able to speak out and be heard.

People might hear but they are NOT listening.