Winner of AoS Competition announced
Action on Sectarianism is pleased to announce that the winner of our creative competition is Jamie Boothman, 14, from Prestonpans.
In March 2017 Action on Sectarianism ran a creative competition for 13-18 year olds looking for creative pieces that show a Scotland without hate, prejudice or sectarianism.
There were a number of high quality entires, but Jamie's poem, 'A Scotland with Prejudice' got top marks from all the judges.
Annabelle Ewing, MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, presented Jamie with his prize of an iPad Mini 4 today and spoke to him about his inspiration for writing his poem.
On winning the competition Jamie said;
"I entered the competition because I feel that sectarianism does not get enough attention and should be opposed so that Scotland can have a brighter future rather than promoting prejudice between groups. It felt great winning as it feels as if my work has made a difference no matter how small."
Sarah Robinson Galloway, Digital Development and Participation Officer for AoS at YouthLink Scotland said;
"A vision of Scotland without hate or prejudice, this is what we are all striving for. Jamie’s poem sums up our hope for the future and the crucial part young people will play in ending the damaging generational legacy of sectarianism. We are delighted to see the government’s continued focus on anti-sectarian work with young people, they are at the heart of our communities and will be the agents of change for our nation.”
The winning entry is the poem 'A Scotland with Prejudice' and can be read here:
A world with prejudice,
A life with violence,
Unfurled from bed, already anxious,
This is earth with sectarianism,
Scotland’s worst kind of activism.
Why should we hate and think we are better?
It's time to change and be trend-setters,
For Scotland to have love in our community,
We must treat all religions with equality.
What shall we do? What shall we do?
Scotland should really start a new,
Sectarianism is uncouth, persuade the youth,
The next generation should know the truth,
Scotland of the future will fly the flag,
That prejudice against religion is extremely bad.
Now the nation can look to the future,
When people care and listen to others,
Instead of Scotland being split,
We can now be a country with no misfits.
This is where the poem ends,
With a better Scotland around the bend.
