Racism is something Suzanne Webster, from Hull, has lived with all her life.
But when her son was attacked because of the colour of his skin, she felt it was time to make a stand.
"Racist crime has got to stop, we can't have another generation of kids growing up with the feeling that they don't belong," says Suzanne (46), who grew up on Bransholme.
"It's time people started accepting each other's differences. Whether they are black, white, Asian, or mixed race it shouldn't matter. We are all Hull people, and should be working together for a better future for us all."
Racist attack
Suzanne's son (13), who is of mixed race, was attacked and verbally abused by two men as he walked with a friend in west Hull. The attack left him with a broken arm, and afraid to leave the house.
Police say they are treating the attack as unprovoked and racist - and that they are still hunting the two men.
True picture of hate crime
Suzanne has now given her support to a new scheme to report hate crime which has been set up by Humberside Police, with the backing of Hull City Council and Hull Citysafe.
It's called True Vision, and aims to encourage people to report all hate crimes whether they are motivated by racial origin, sexual orientation, religious belief or a person's disability.
"There are a lot of people in Hull who don't report hate incidents - they just put up with verbal abuse, damage to property, even assaults, and think it's normal," said Gemma Allenby of Hull Citysafe.
"But we're keen to establish the true picture of hate crime and want to know of all incidents, no matter how small they appear," she added.
"It's time people started accepting each other's differences. Whether they are black, white, Asian, or mixed race it shouldn't matter. We are all Hull people, and should be working together for a better future for us all." - Suzanne Webster
Following the legacy of Wilberforce
Meanwhile, Suzanne's daughter has called for people to follow the example of William Wilberforce, who made the world's first steps towards racial equality.
Georgia Leach (25), from Hull, said: "I look white and have ginger hair, but in fact I'm mixed race. I have a mixed-race mum, and my grandmother was black.
"My brother is slightly darker skinned and has a Mediterranean appearance, that's why he was singled out for an assault.
She added: "Hull's link with William Wilberforce is well known. He passed laws to ban slavery across the British Empire.
"The people who attacked my brother judged by appearances and knew nothing about us as individuals or as a family.
"We just want people to be more accepting of each other - and follow the example of Wilberforce," said Georgia.
Cllr Stephen Baker, who has responsibility for promoting equality in Hull said: "True Vision is an important step forward. We are working hard to ensure all people, irrespective of their racial origin, sexuality, religious belief, trans-identity or disability, feel safe, welcome and valued in our city.
"If anyone has experienced or witnessed hate crime I would urge them to speak up and report it. The more information we have to work with, the better we can serve all our communities in Hull."
How to report hate crime
Incidents can be reported on 0800 138 1625, which is a 24-hour freephone line. People can also go to reporting centres across the city including Fuel nightclub in Baker Street, Hull City Council customer service centres, Victim Support Hull, on Spring Bank, Age Concern Hull in Porter Street, and the pavilion in Pearson Park.
To find out other reporting centres contact 300300
Last edited by zsana on Sat 17 May 2008 00:16; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 30 Mar 2005 {Posts: 1082 } Location: New Jersey
Posted: Fri 16 May 2008 16:01 Post subject:
sagascend wrote:
Where is Hull?
According to Webster's Geographical Dictionary, it is officially called Kingston upon Hull (named after the Hull River), and is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 1763 } Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posted: Fri 16 May 2008 17:05 Post subject:
William wrote:
sagascend wrote:
Where is Hull?
According to Webster's Geographical Dictionary, it is officially called Kingston upon Hull (named after the Hull River), and is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Right, that would be in the northeastern part of England.
Suzanne's son (13), who is of mixed race, was attacked and verbally abused by two men as he walked with a friend in west Hull. The attack left him with a broken arm, and afraid to leave the house.
Police say they are treating the attack as unprovoked and racist - and that they are still hunting the two men.
Assuming this was a racially-motivated attack, what kind of men were these two men who attacked this young man?
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