Gary Younge inspires schoolchildren at Goldsmiths talk

Goldsmiths welcomed a panel of journalists, including Gary Younge, to discuss the profession and their own experiences with young students. Pic: Emily Benington

Goldsmiths welcomed a panel of journalists, including Gary Younge, to discuss the profession and their own experiences with young students. Pic: Emily Benington

 

The Guardian columnist Gary Younge opened young minds at Goldsmiths during a journalism workshop for children from four secondary schools on Friday (May 27).

Younge talked to pupils about his new book – Another Day in the Death of America – which tells the story of 10 children shot dead in the US in 24 hours.

The talk from Younge inspired the children who said afterwards that they wanted to “write with passion”. He talked about how history has been altered over the years as facts have been left out, changed due to circumstances of age, race and gender.

All children participating in the day of talks and workshops from Goldsmiths lecturers and students write for a schools-based journalism website called Student View.

 

Salomon Elliot, founder of The Student View. Pic: Emily Benington

Solomon Elliot, founder of The Student View. Pic: Emily Benington

 

The schoolchildren travelled to Lewisham from three London schools – Kingsdale Foundation School in West Dulwich, Bentley Wood High School in Harrow and St Marks Academy in Merton – and one in Poole, Dorset, Carter Community School in Poole.

Solomon Elliott, Student View’s founder, gave a speech about his experience as a Cambridge student and becoming a teacher at Kingsdale Foundation School. He has become an inspiration to many children helping them express their opinion.

He quoted Gandhi saying: “In a small way you can shake the world.”

Goldsmiths’ alumni also spoke about their journey towards their passion for journalism.

Afzal Ahmed, the Islam Channel’s deputy news editor, said he felt he spoke on behalf of Muslim people who aren’t being heard.

Ahmed said: “Journalists get to experience other people’s lives and present their stories to the world.”

Words by Kira Greenidge, Caitlin Taylor and Alicia Harrison-Jennings.

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