Contents

1. Septimus Pitt
   (poem)

2. The Grumbloid Rap
   (poem)

3. Notes for Teachers
   (About the book)

4. Gathering Thoughts
   (some ideas for using
   the Worksheets)

5. Worksheet 1
   (The Cosmic Postman -
   Outer Space)

6. Worksheet 2
   (Michael and Billy -
   Anti-sectarianism)

Back to Brian Whittingham's
website

Reviews of
Septimus Pitt

The following section is set up mainly for viewing on the web.
You can download a printable and easier to use version of this worksheet
click here to download the MS Word document.

SUBJECT - ANTI-SECTARIANISM

Stimulus TOPIC / POEM Questions for discussion

• Write a short piece stating what the poem is saying to you.
• Why do you think it is written looking back on the past?
• What is a nickname? (A type of label? - are they usually positive or negative?)
• The boys all use nicknames, why do you think this is?
• Can you write your own list of famous people's nicknames?
• Some say that nicknames can be stereotypes that reinforce discrimination. What do you think?
• What is discrimination? (To treat someone differently?)

---

Stimulus TASK examples

• Write down the life story of your own name.
  .....Who named you?
  .....What does your name mean?
  .....Are there any nicknames re. your family, friends etc.
  .....Does it have a special ethnic or religious significance.
  .....Do you like/dislike your name - why?
  .....If you could change your name, would you?
• Write down a list of reasons why some people discriminate against others and give examples of this discrimination in action. (The list might include colour, religion, gender, ability, accent, age, dress, etc. It is often negative.)
• Listen to the song Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas and discuss. Get learners to write down what the song is saying to them, what their favourite verse is and why? You may have to print the lyrics off to allow learners to read them off the page.

HOW THE LANGUAGE WE USE AFFECTS US AND OTHERS

Words create emotions. Words create actions. The words you habitually choose also affect how you communicate with yourself and what you experience. Words shape our beliefs and impact our actions. If we want to develop our relationship to other human beings we have to consciously select words and be aware of the possibilities of the effect these words can have on others. Words have two connectors, the people who say them and the people who hear them. Words can become people's experience.

Try writing a list of words to do with war then a list to do with peace. Which comes easiest to you?

The following excerpts of background information are taken from the website.
www.ltscotland.org.uk/antisectarian (leaves this site)
This site has more detailed information and workshop ideas and plans.

---

WHAT IS SECTARIANISM?

A narrow-minded following of a particular belief by members of a denomination that leads to prejudice, bigotry, discrimination, malice and ill-will towards members of another religious denomination. Sectarianism can occur with individuals, groups, culturally or in institutions. A denomination is a division or grouping within a faith. E.g. Protestants and Catholics within Christianity, Sunni and Shia within Islam etc. It is when religious differences are used as an excuse for prejudice. It takes the form of name-calling, telling jokes, songs, chants or other forms of verbal abuse and even violence.

---

SCOTTISH-IRISH LINKS

In Scotland's early years it was populated by various ethnic groups including the Celts, Britons, Angles, Saxons, Picts, Vikings and Normans. The early Scots came from Ireland and it is from this the foundations of Irish-Scottish migration originated. In Scotland today people of Irish descent are the single largest ethnic minority grouping and Catholics comprise the largest faith minority.
In 1845-9 there was a mass exodus from Ireland to England and Scotland. The majority of early migrants were Catholics from Donegal and later, Protestants from areas such as Belfast.

---

FAITHS & BELIEFS IN PRESENT DAY SCOTLAND
(Approximation examples)

Glasgow

Church of Scotland ...........................................................................32%
Roman Catholic ................................................................................29%
Other (Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, etc.) ...........39%

Edinburgh

Church of Scotland ...........................................................................35%
Roman Catholic ................................................................................11%
Others ..............................................................................................54%

---

SECTARIANISM & RACISM

Irish immigrants to Scotland experienced various levels of antagonism from the local Scottish population some of which was due to racism towards incomers who were perceived to be less equal and a threat to local harmony and jobs. All peoples subjugated by the British, whether in Africa, India or the Caribbean, were viewed as inferior subjects and the Irish were viewed in this manner also.

---

More information to follow for this worksheet