What is racism?

I think racism is lots of different things. It doesn't have to be just calling names; it could be saying something about somebody's background, culture or clothes that isn't nice just because they're different to the person who's saying those things.

It shouldn't matter what background you come from - If life was the same, life would be plain.

Natalie, Year 5.

How does racism make us feel?

I think racism is wrong. It shouldn't matter what background you come from or the colour of your skin.

I go to Shakespeare Primary School and my school has a mix of children from different countries and backgrounds, but it doesn't bother me. It is a good thing to have people with different cultures.

My best friend has a different skin colour to me. If someone was to see us in town, they wouldn't stare at us because I'm taller than her, or because she has blonde hair and I have brown; it would be because we have different skin colours.

That's wrong, isn't it?

It doesn't bother us, so why should it bother them.

Sherrelle, (Written when she was in Year 6)

To be racist you can be any age

Some people don't know when they're being racist. It happened to me in maths recently when a boy made me feel like I wasn't from this country.

He was calling me an Iraqi and saying that I wasn't born in England. I felt like there was something wrong with me. I wasn't even born in Iraq, I was born in this country. I think he didn't realise what he was saying.

I think racism should stop. We should stay like one big family.

Nakhiba, Year 5.

Click on the Red 2 for more on racism by the children of Shakespeare Primary School...