Being who you are is something special and nobody else is exactly the same as you. Even identical twins have differences between them! Things like the way your hair or nose is. Your height. Your weight. How fast you can run or how good you are at games will be different from your friends and brothers and sisters. These things are part of who you are and this is also known as your identity.

Having black or brown skin is also an important part of your identity and like everything else about you – it is something to be proud of. Black people have achieved a lot of things throughout history, and today can be found in every type of profession and area of life. Black people are also often very warm, talented and friendly people.

Sometimes people can say mean things about people who are brown or black and this is called racism. This can be very hurtful to your feelings but the important to thing to remember is that people who say mean things have a problem with their feelings about anyone who is different to them. It is also important to remember that neither you nor anything about you is the cause of the problem. You have the right to be who you are.

If someone says mean things to you or about you because of your colour, religion or culture you do not have to stand for it. This is known as bullying or racist bullying. It is not only unkind it is also against the law.

FINDING HELP

if you are worried about being picked on or being treated in a way that you do not like because of your colour or any other part of who you are tell your parents or another adult you can trust. There are also websites and email where you can find more information and telephone help lines that you can call for help.
Click on the link below for more information. Ask your parents or an adult you can trust for permission to use a telephone so that you can make a call.

Kidscape Kidscape - http://www.kidscape.org.uk - Helpline 08451 205204
Childline http://www.childline.org.uk/Howtostopthebullying.asp- Helpline 0800 1111 -
Bullying Online - http://www.bullying.co.uk- Helpline 0207 378 1446
Samaritans – Offer a 24 hour helpline service on 08451 205204 or email: jo@samaritans.org