Love Music Hate Racism has produced six antiracist eLearning resources for children and young people ahead of UN Anti-Racism Day. The online educational resources demonstrate music’s important role in challenging racism and other forms of prejudice.
The videos include ‘Reggae Panther Pride’, an accessible retelling of the story of Love Music Hate Racism’s predecessor Rock Against Racism, for primary school children. The story utilises the metaphor of punk and reggae panthers to highlight the fact that our differences enrich each other lives and are not something to be feared. Reggae Panther Pride provides teachers across Britain with a resource to spark a conversation around discrimination and creative ways to challenge it. It was produced by the animation team Frabjuice, with illustration by Tim Sanders and writing and narration by Imaan Cochrane.
Zak Cochrane Love Music Hate Racism campaigner, says, “Rock Against Racism is fondly remembered by a generation in Britain who understood the key role it played in uniting black and white youth amidst a climate of racial prejudice and the growth of the far-right. It is a crucial piece of social history in Britain that needs to be learned by future generations.”
The five additional eLearning resources represent a partnership between Love Music Hate Racism and veteran grime artist Manga St Hilare. The short clips highlight the effects of racism and how music has helped to overcome this. They feature narration from leading musicians, including Nova Twins, Keyon Harrold, Bluey bandleader of Incognito, Sans Soucis and spoken word artist Lion Heart. Each clip has been individually animated by Manga St Hilare and is supplemented by teaching notes to assist educators with prompts to facilitate workshops exploring issues raised in each video.
Manga St Hilare says, “I think it’s very important for young people to know some experiences they might go through. They’re not alone. Sharing these stories, they can see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and those moments won’t define who they become.”
Love Music Hate Racism eLearning resources were made possible via a crowdfunding project last year. The antiracist campaign group is celebrating its 20th anniversary by organising a ‘Crisis Music Tour’ alongside the Musicians Union, Music Venues Trust and trade union branches across Britain. The tour, taking place in towns and cities across Britain beginning this month, seeks to unite people in solidarity with those fighting back in various struggles, from trade unionists to antiracists, to LGBTQ+ and climate justice activists.
