“I didn't realise that was discrimination.” - That statement by a 15-year-old participant caused an abrupt moment of silence at the workshop at the FC Bayern Campus. Twenty-three young people sat together, arguing, discussing and mindfully listening to some of the statements that suddenly filled the room. Under the motto ‘Taking a stance for the future,’ FC Bayern invited members of its TEENS CLUB to talk about diversity, discrimination and cohesion as part of its Red against Racism initiative and to develop ideas together on how to make even more of a difference in the future.
Despite the summer holidays, the teenagers arrived punctually at 10 am. After an introduction to the work of Red Against Racism by initiative member Erik-Maurice Böhm, another Red Against Racism representative, Rio Grumbrecht, took over as moderator of the interactive workshop section. The topics were: Where does discrimination begin? How does it feel – in everyday life, in sports, in the stadium? What stance is needed to counter it?
In addition to critical discussions, the focus was also on self-reflection. What role do I play in society and how can openness towards other realities of life enrich our coexistence? Participants shared personal experiences, questioned prejudices and developed their own ideas, from intergenerational encounters to creative actions or new merchandise items for Red Against Racism.
Exercise was also part of the programme. Short games helped to lighten the atmosphere – sport brings people together, and moments like these make it clear that Red Against Racism is not just about theory, but above all about experiencing community. At the end, the TEENS CLUB members came to the realisation that discrimination affects us all and that all members of the FC Bayern family, no matter how young, can help to take a stand. Or, as one participant put it at the end: “We are the future of FC Bayern!”
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