Ernst Alexander Award: Racism Sucks
Taking a stand together for respect and tolerance: a matter of course for teacher Matthias Flüß and his students from the Suderwich Municipal Comprehensive School in Recklinghausen. Schalke helps! honors their commitment with this year’s Ernst Alexander Award. The award was presented on the pitch of the VELTINS Arena before the home game against VfL Wolfsburg. The award winners used this opportunity, equipped with banners and messages, to show what they were awarded for: the project “DIY student demonstration against xenophobia”.
“Our nationality? Man!”, “Every man is special” or “Racism sucks” these were written on their demo posters. Clear messages, but the way to these statements was an intensive examination of topics such as social disadvantage and discrimination. The aim was not only to get to grips with the content, but also to become active yourself, because political participation is possible for everyone. With the help of the methodology kit designed by Flüss, all interested teachers can also design such a series of lessons.
The approximately 80 schoolchildren who were allowed to accompany Matthias Flüß to the VELTINS Arena gained a lot more from the project in addition to the stadium experience and the Ernst Alexander award. 18-year-old Fabienne puts it in a nutshell: “I recognize racist statements and can formulate my opinion – and I will say it.” This requires courage and knowledge, both of which you have acquired. Sometimes you don’t just learn for school after all…
Aris Limassol FC Social, Environmental, and Health Initiatives
