From Both Sides

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• A YOUNG IDENTITY SCHOOL PROJECTFROM BOTH SIDES 1
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• A YOUNG IDENTITY SCHOOL PROJECTFROM BOTH SIDES 3
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• FOREWARDIn August 2024, the UK witnessed a series of race riots that left communities shaken and questions hanging in the air; questions about justice, belonging, identity and how we live together. For many young people across the country, these events were not just something they saw on the news, they were personal. They sparked conversations in school corridors, at bus stops, around dinner tables and online. Conversations filled with confusion, sadness and hope. From Both Sides was created in response to that moment. A poetry project piloting in Manchester, creating a space for young people to express what community means to them, where they feel they belong and how their identity is shaped by the world around them.
• Page 6They also worked with graphic designer Billie Meredith to create the wonderful art work contained in this zine. The poems and art work in this zine are honest and full of feeling. A shared effort to speak the truth, in hopes of understanding one another and building community. The title From Both Sides is about holding space. It reminds us that behind every headline is a person, a story, a lived experience. Their words remind us that identity isn’t something simple, it’s shifting and shaped by forces often beyond our control.
• Page 7MEA CENTRAL
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• Page 9Community is friendship. A shoulder to cry on, a person to laugh with. Community is family. A hot cooked meal. A fun day out. A city without discrimination is one with diversity and no hate within it. My Manchester has fully fed children and no one is sleeping on the streets. A city where skin colour means nothing - no one is black or white. My manchester has equality, rights for everyone and patriarchy is abolished.
• Page 10Discrimination, The weapon that separates. Discrimination, Why do we hate so? Charly
• Page 11Racism is bad We should stop it Discrimination is harsh We should block it We should stop issues That are caused by this We need to fight For what is right Anaya
• My Manchester will have no knife crime Immigrants can thriveNo litter No homeless people No illegal items or substances permitted More activities for kids Free things for young people
• Page 13CO-OP ACADEMY
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• Page 15Freedom in the air Every place is vibrant With diversity Lights up every corner The sound of this joy is sweet Yihui
• Page 16My world would be better if… My skin was as radiant as snow If there was moonlight emanating from within me If my body was as small as the ones I see on TV If I had the most spectacular turquoise eyes If only my hair was disguised in the sunlight If it seemingly blended in the yellow iridescent rays If only I was her.
• Page 17My eyes which have been fixated on my body Which is desperately trying to fit into every single sentence society stated before I could blink. The world continues at war. People who live in the same country Share similar ideas and cultures Turn on each other. Simply because of capitalism.
• Page 18My world would be better if parliament cared, if our MPs were not arrogant, if our city was a green city. Sandul
• Page 19My Manchester promotes diversity, inclusivity, difference and acceptance My Manchester funds the youth, funds social services, funds the elderly, and every little positive My Manchester is for the people
• Page 20Yihui 20
• Page 2121 Yihui
• “They’re all dead.” “They’re all dead?” “Yes.”Not every story has a happy ending. In the phone call between the Red Crescent and Layan, multiple gun shots rang out with the screams of the 15 year old. After that, everything went silent. Layan’s life was taken from her, and her final words were caught right in that phone call.
• “Come get me, the tank is getting close!”The phone call went on for 3 hours. The two paramedics, Yusuf Al-Zeino and Ahmed Al- Madhoun, were in search of Hind. They were stopped at first by the IDF, but were later given the green light to go. It was dark, and they couldn’t see anything so they turned on their lights and right when they told the dispatchers that they could see Hind’s car, bullets were fired, killing the both of them. For twelve days Hind was labeled ‘missing’ and once she was found, she was already gone. Today, Hind Rajab would have been seven years old and in a few years she would have been a dentist like she always wished for.
• Page 24Racism the very reason for conflict. The wall separating all.
• ST PAULS CATHOLICHIGH SCHOOL
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• Page 27This world is better There’s no discrimination We are all human Schools are full of all races We’re all happy in this world In this better world No one is homophobic No one’s transphobic People feel accepted here To be who they want to be
• I am made of many partsThese range from reading to gaming It’s me and myself I am sure there could be Others like me But none exactly As unique. Scarlett
• Page 29I am made up of many parts. I go to football 5 times a week. On Tuesday and Sunday, I coach little kids from 3-5 years old and 6-9 years old. I have also begun leading 1-1 sessions with kids as well and I think this is a huge success for me because I am making a difference in my community and I am only young.
• I am AdrianI have been a gym bro for 1 year and 2 months. I play basketball. I like skipping rope. I like video games. I love kebab. I love steak. I am from Iran I love cars - 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 992.2 I love bikes, I love e-bikes, I love M+B, I love my parents.
• Page 31I love drama I go gym every Saturday and Sunday I am smart I love BLT’s and Chicken Tikka Curry I like spiders and bugs I have two turtles I have an English and French bulldog I have never been on a plane I have taken part in 21 plays (including musicals) I have been christened I love fruit Alfie
• Page 32My perfect Manchester would be Without racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia It would be accepting and inclusive welcoming all different types of people Full of trees and plants all green and clear Without litter Without any violence or crimes Sunny and bright Very supportive Full of different religions and races Full of different ethnic minorities A fair and just society Lucie
• diversity, inclusivity, difference and acceptanceMy perfect Manchester; No non kitchen knives allowed No vaping or smoking Limited alcohol consumption Cleaner and greener environment Affordable healthy food for ALL A 4 day week for school and work A limited access to social media for those under 16 No drugs No harm No bullying Always LOVE Orla
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis project would not have been possible without the support of the following individuals. Channique Sterling Brown Haiesha Mistry Billie Meredith Kirsten Kendrick Haamid Iqbal Ali Al Jamri
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• Page 36Participating Schools: St Paul’s Catholic High School MEA Central (Manchester Enterprise Academy) Co-op Academy Manchester 36