Pass The Baton Anti-Racist Festival
With racism still ever present in our society we must all double our efforts in defeating it.
When BRIG emerged following the racist murder of George Floyd on 25th May 2020 we set an Anti-Racist City vision for Birmingham, alongside the City’s young people. We agreed that this vision could only be achieved by ‘Keeping Race on the Agenda’ in holding institutions to account with young people and communities. To equip today’s and future generations in championing an anti-racist City we must ‘Pass the Baton’ to young people in building on the lessons of anti-racist practice of the past for the future.
BRIG are proud to announce in partnership with B:Met, South & City College and the Kings Health Unity Weekender the ‘Pass the Baton - Anti Racist Festival taking place from 12th April - 12th May 2024. This month-long festival will be spearheaded by young people from the off and finish with the Kings Heath Unity Weekender, which successfully launched last year following the brutal Islamophobic and racist attack on a 73-year-old man returning home after Ramadan Prayers at a local mosque.
What is Anti-Racism?
“Anti-racism is being proactive individually and collectively against the oppression of racialised groups and the causes, manifestations, and impacts of systemic racism. Also, see https://www.brap.org.uk/post/anti-racist-learning-thinking-and-practice
Why have an anti-racist festival?
Birmingham is now a 51.4% (2021) minority majority city with nearing 70% of pupils of colour in its schools with 40% of the City’s population under 25 making it Europe's youngest city. The City’s young are the custodians of its future and community cohesion. We can’t allow them to continue to experience the cradle to grave racism impacting their and the City’s future. The City’s young people need to determine how they want racism tackled in their city.
Getting Involved and Submitting Events
We are encouraging youth groups, schools, colleges, universities, employers, trade unions and communities to get involved by submitting, supporting and sponsoring events for the ‘Pass the Baton - Anti-Racist Festival’.
We will be hosting a festival events briefing on Tuesday 23rd January 2024: 10am - 11 pm. If you would like to attend this please let us know at Passthebaton@bmet.ac.uk
Use the events form to submit your events for the festival brochure by 8th March 2024.
We believe in the power of grassroots initiatives to drive change and create a more inclusive society. If you're passionate about anti-racism and want to make a difference in your community, we encourage you to host your own anti-racism event as part of the festival.
Together, we can amplify our voices and work towards a more just and equitable world.
