‘IT'S SURPRISING THE NUMBER
OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE RACIST '
with them. I‘m just immediately put off them for life.‘
For each of the RoAR shows.
there will be the opportunity for
unsigned bands to share a stage
with bigger names. the organisers having arranged a competition for =
local bands to take part (see www.rockagainstracism.info for more details). Irrespective of how famous the acts are. the shows are seen as the ideal way of getting the anti-racism message across to a young audience. as well as. of course. being a fun night out.
‘As well as being a powerful way of spreading the anti-racism message across Scotland. these are great events for music lovers and will provide aspiring artists with a new opportunity to showcase their talent.’ says Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm.
This combination of message and medium is clearly what the organisers had in mind. as Siobhan Crampsey of Emap Radio explains.
‘Music is a great vehicle through which to challenge racism and encourage young people to think
about their own attitudes and
behaviour. The response we‘ve had to the RoAR initiative from the Embrace boys and other major artists has been hugely positive and we‘re Scotland will join them — both in person. by coming along to the gigs and also in spirit. by “rocking against racism“ in their own lives.'
A recent survey found that 20
sure everyone in
percent of people believed that
people frotn minority ethnic groups take away jobs from other people in Scotland. Similarly. a shocking 38 percent of Scottish people believed that using terms such as ‘Chinky‘ or ‘Paki‘ in relation to food or shops was not racist.
With such attitudes commonplace across Scotland. there is clearly plenty of work to
still .
be done. While physical attacks on '
members of minority groups .
garner more column inches. it is this unthinking racism which is most rife. and the solution is 3 surely through education. in which
RoAR hopes to play a large part.
First Minister Jack McConnell said of the One Scotland initiative: ‘It highlights the need for all of us to critically examine our attitudes. It urges us to challenge racism. whatever forrn it takes.‘ It's a sentiment we should all be getting behind.
Embrace, The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Tue 24 Oct
This page lists a selection of organisations that provide expert advice and support in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The List acknowledges the support of the Scottish Executive in funding the Engage section.
Mental Wellbeing
National
Breathing Space 0800 838 587 or Minicom 0800 317 160. www.breathing spacescotland.co.uk. (1pm 2am. Free. confidential advice for anyone feeling low or depressed.
Sexual Health and STDs
Glasgow
Body Positive Strathclyde
9 Sandyford Place. Sauchiehall
Street. 0141 248 9285. www.bodypositive. org.uk. Drop-in centre open Mon. Wed. Fri 9am-5pm. Tue & Thu. I Iarn -8pm. lnforrnation and support for people who are HIV positive. Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic (GUM Clinic) The Sandyford Initiative. 2— () Sandyford Place. Sauchiehall Street. 0141 211 8601. Drop—in clinics Mon—liri 8.30am-10am. By appointment at other times until 7pm Mon -i-‘ri. Rape Crisis Centre 0141 552 3200. www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.
Tue- Wed & Sun 7~-9pm; Thu l--3pm. Free and confidential service offering information and strpport to women and girls who have been - or fear they may have been -- sexually abused or assaulted.
Edinburgh
GUM Clinic Lauriston Building. Lauriston Place. 0| 31 530 2103. Mort-Fri 10am—5pm by appointment. l‘or urgent problems. there is a walk-in clinic where no appointment is necessary frorn 830—» 10am. Mon l‘ri. Edinburgh Women’s Rape 8: Sexual Abuse Centre 013i 556 9437. www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk. (‘all for opening hours. See Rape (‘risis (‘entre. (ilas‘gow.
National
National AIDS Helpline
0800 507 123
Sexwise 0800 282 930. 7am 12pm. Provides information and advice on sexuality artd sexual health for young people.
Sources of Advice National Victim Support Line 0845 30 30 900. limotional support and practical advice for anyone affected by crime. It's confidential. of course.
Women’s Health 8. Support
Glasgow
Glasgow Women’s Aid 4th Floor. 30 Bell Street. 0141 553 2022. 9.30am»--1.30pm Morr-l’ri. except Wed which is 9.30am—1pm for drop-in. and afternoon by appointment only. Drop-in and telephone counselling for women.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh and Lothian Women’s Aid 4 (‘heyne Street. 0131 315 8110. Mon. Wed. Fri 10am 3pm. Thu 2--7pm. Sat 10am 12.30pm. Refuge. support and help for women suffering physical. mental or sexual abuse from their partners.
Alcohol 8. Narcotics Glasgow & Strathclyde
Alcoholics Anonymous 50 Wellington
ENGAGE
Street. 0141 226 2214. Mon Fri
9am -5pm; 0845 709 7555 (2-1 hours). (iroup support to help tackle alcohol problems. www.alcoholics- anonymousorg.uk
Drug Problem Service Woodside Health (‘entre. Barr Street. (ilasgow. 014| 531 925-1.
Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol 82 Dumbarton Road. (‘lydebank 952 0881/01389 731 456. (ieneral information and advice including one-to- one counselling for young people. www.alcoho1-focus-scot|and.org.uk
East Addiction Service 871 Springfield Road. (ilasgow. 0I-11 505 0200.
East Dunbartonshire Addiction Service Unit 20. lira/er House Kirkintilloch. 0141 588 5143.
Glasgow City Council Addiction Partnership A city-wide range of services. including specific support for young people involved in drug and alcohol use. www.glasgowgov.uk
Glasgow Council on Alcohol 7th Floor. Newton Ilouse. 457 Sauchiehall Street. 0141 353 1800. Information. advice and one-to-one counselling for those affected by alcohol. www.211cohol- focus-scotland.org.uk
Glasgow Drugs Crisis Centre 123 West Street. 0141 420 (i969. Ilelp. advice. rehab. detox and needle exchange. www.turningpointscot|and.com lnverciyde Counselling Service. 2A Newton Street. (ireenock. Helpline 0845 230 0038. Advice. information and support on alcohol and related issues. www.renfrewcouncilonalcohol.org.uk RCA Trust Mirren House. Back Sneddon Street. Paisley. 01-11 887 0880. Helpline 0845 2300038. Advice. information and support on alcohol and related issues. www.renfrewcouncilonalcohol.org.uk
Edinburgh & Lothian
Alcoholics Anonymous 38 (‘ockburn Street. 0131 225 00901call for local meeting times: 0845 769 7555 (2-1 hours). (iroup support to help tackle alcohol problems. www.alcoho1ics- anonymousorg.trk
The Chrysalis Project 9 Iiorrest Road. 0131 220 5453. An offshot of’I’urning Point (see below). offering help and support for drug users.
Community Drug Problem Service 24 Spittal Street. lidinburgh. 0131 537 83-15 Crew 2000 32 (‘ockburn Street.
0131 220 340-1. Mon-Sat 1-5pm: Thu 4- 8pm. Information arid friendly advice on drugs and sexual health. frorn trained workers. www.cr‘ew2()00.co.uk Edinburgh & Lothian Council on Alcohol (3 (‘lifton Terrace. 0131 337 8188. Information. advice and support. www.alcoho|-focus-scotland.org.uk Turning Point 44 Hanover Street. 0| 3| 220 0830; 3 Smith's Place. 0131 554 75 lo. Mull-I'l'i 9.30am-5.30pm. ()nc-to-onc counselling for addicts and support for their families. wwwturningpointscotland.com National
Alcohol Focus Scotland loo Buchanan Street. (ilasgow. 572 ()700. Accessible information for people seeking advice about alcohol issues. www.alcohol-lix‘us- scotland.org.uk
Cocaine Anonymous 020 7284 l 123. www.cauk.org.uk
Drinkline 0800917 8282. open seven days a week. Free information and support. Drug Misuse Information Strategy Team 0131 551 8532. wwwdrugmisuse. isdscotland.org
Know the Score 0800 587 5879. (‘onlidential information on dnrgs. available 24 hours a day. seven days a week. (‘alls tnade from a landline are free arid will not show up on a phone bill. (’alls made from a mobile phone vary in cost depending on network and may show up on your bill. The website offers plenty of advice and information on drugs. and contact details for local support services. www.kntmthcscore.info
Doug Johnstone provides a quick history of anti-racism protest songs.
There's a fine tradition of anti- racism protest songs through the years. from the early black slave spirituals that fed into the delta blues of the 1920s Artists like Josh White were among the first to tackle such topics, but it wasn't until Billie Holiday's “Strange Fruit' in 1939. a song about the lynching and burning of black men in America's south. that the subject was addressed to a widespread audience.
By the 608, Bob Dylan was producing a number of anti—racist songs. the most notable of which was ‘Hurricane’. about the wrongful imprisonment for murder of boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter. Around the same time Bob Marley was turning reggae into a political vehicle against discrimination, while Marvin Gaye was doing the same to soul with his landmark What's Going On? album in 1971.
By the 70s the call had been taken up in the UK. The Clash were at the forefront. writing songs and playing at numerous festivals and rallies including the original Rock Against Racism. founded in response to allegedly racist comments from Eric Clapton and David Bowie. At the same time. two-tone bands such as The Specials were speaking out about the inequality they were seeing around them in inner city Britain.
By the 80s. the focus had shifted to South Africa and apartheid. The Specials had a hit with ‘Free Nelson Mandela’. while over in America a plethora of stars (including Bob Dylan. Lou Reed and Run DMC) released the Sun City album as Artists United Against Apartheid.
More recently. America has become more vehement in its anti-racist protest. with the likes of Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine advocating a more pro-active solution to a problem which still exists today.
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