Funded by Birmingham City Council, Common Ground was a creative project with a PSHE learning focus for secondary schools in Birmingham. 28 schools were awarded grants of £1,000. The purpose of these grants was to facilitate a youth-led conversation and creative expression on the theme of 'Common Ground'.
As a culmination of this project and to coincide with the Commonwealth Games in July, all participating schools were invited to a Youth Summit where 120 students had the opportunity to perform or showcase their creative output. They also had the opportunity to meet a host of exciting celebrities, poets, athletes, rappers and influential organisations to use their voice to tell us what mattered to them in this Commonwealth Games year.
Here is the Common Ground Poem written especially for us by Ty'Rone Haughton
Common Ground
We may not all find common wealth but we can find common ground.
If you all took a look inside yourselves you'd be amazed at what you found.
We may not all find commonwealth to be the same as the next
In experience and perspective.
The telling of history can be selective when your melanin is reflective of a past that is checkered.
Check this,
The toil of immigrants built this kingdom.
It's
The fool who chose ignorance whose thinking is
Their children don't deserve brilliance.
But in your millions
You continue to make a difference.
Yet
We may not all find common wealth but we can find common ground.
Multiculturalism
That's youth activism.
See you crack the system's code when you reject the teachings told. There's no measure to the power you hold.
Hold for space for another's culture, customs and cuisine
Embrace the differences and similarities
And everything that's in between.
Work to realise the dream of living closer to utopia.
Eradicate hate and all people based phobias.
The future's fate is in the choices you make.
When voices get raised
They could raise a generation.
Bring forth the change you've been waiting for
A revolution in training
You're
The new community leaders, teachers, fellows and readers.
Makes the curriculum more inclusive and conducive for your children's children's futures.
Because
We may not all find common wealth but we can find common ground.
If you all took a look inside yourselves
You'd find jewels and tools fine tuned for you
By your ancestors.
Your generation is blessed cause
You don't say yes and accept cause
It's the thing to do.
You ask questions
And that's how you'll make it through.
Don't let race, class, gender or politics divide you from your sisters and your brothers.
Policies change from one election to another
Only thing that needs to remain is our protection of each other.
Intersections interacting
That's powerful action
And positivity attracting.
Everybody is important.
The world is just an endless relay race.
I'm sure you've heard the mistakes made
Of dropping the baton or holding it too long.
But you're up next
Let's make the transition a smooth one.
It's your leg.
Your race.
Your world.
Do remember.
We may not all find common wealth but we can find common ground.
If you all took a look inside yourselves you'd be amazed at what you found.
