Southsea schoolboy, 8, writes moving poem about racism which has been commended by Black Lives Matter
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Eight-year-old Thomas Roughan, from Southsea, has penned a moving piece of poetry about a friend from his old school who was bullied for being black.
Thomas, who now attends St John’s College in Southsea, wrote the poem for a Virgin Radio competition but was amazed to find out Black Lives Matter UK noticed his poem and wanted to feature it on their website.
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Hide AdPassionate Thomas, who wrote the poem when he was seven, said: ‘I am so proud. I am proud because they saw my poem and wanted to share it with the world. So many people across the world have contacted them to say how moved they have been reading my poem and how proud they are of me, even though they don’t know me.
‘It is not nice to treat anyone differently because of the colour of their skin or what they look like. It’s wrong! We are all the same and we should always be kind and caring and have empathy for others.’
Mum Rekha was almost moved to tears when she first read the poem and thought it was based on a real incident, but Thomas’ writing just elaborated on memories of bullying and imagined the possible consequences.
Rekha said: ‘We are so very proud of Thomas not only to be recognised by such an influential movement as BLM but to be commended by them too.
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Hide Ad‘Receiving so many positive messages from people across the world that have been touched by his poem Ruby Red is extremely special.’
She added: ‘I think it’s important because he’s so young and for his mind to know it’s wrong, I think that teaches people when they read the poem. I think us as adults should listen to the voices of our children.’
Thomas’ next goal for his poem is to have it noticed by one of his heroes.
He said: ‘I am just hoping that Barack Obama will one day read it too because he is my idol. BLM said they will help getting it to him too which is very exciting for me.’
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Hide AdVisit blacklivesmatter.uk/creative-ed/thomas-roughan to see what Black Lives Matter UK had to say about Thomas’ poem.
Ruby Red
By Thomas Roughan
He was much taller than me
And always wore a white T-shirt
As white and brilliant as snow
It made him shine bright like a torch
It made his dark skin glisten like coal
They laughed and pointed at him
Every single day
He cried quietly like a mouse
Sniffling silently in corners
No one ever helped him
No one ever heard his voice
They said “Shh don’t complain”
They said “Shh get used to it”
When I played with my toys
He would stand staring like a hawk
I would say “You can play too”
And he would smile excitedly and ever so gratefully
He made me laugh with his jokes
He bought magic in our play
We laughed so hard one warm sunny day
That we both got hiccups and jumped like frogs much of that day
Then the awful day came
As I walked into the playground
He was surrounded by everyone
They pointed and laughed like every day
But today they pushed and poked
Today they hit and punched
He screamed and he cried
He begged them “please no”
But they laughed harder and louder
And then they hit him more and more
“Stop” I screamed
The words spilled out without me knowing
My legs began to run to him
I helped him up and stood by his side
Staring into a million angry faces like ugly personified
“Don’t touch him” someone shouted
“He’s dirty” said another
“You’ll have to have a bath now” said one
“He’s ugly” said the last
“Stop” I screamed again
“He’s my friend” said my voice
“And it’s you who are ugly”
“Your hearts are ugly inside”
I don’t remember anything after that
I woke up on the cold floor
We were still holding hands
Covered in red ruby blood
One was his and one was mine
Mine was “white” and his was “black”
Only it was the same ruby red
It was the same colour as mine.
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