Antisectarian

Blinded by Bigotry

Appropriate age: Upper primary / secondary

Produced by:
M2K based in Barlanark. Six people - three Celtic fans, two Ranger's fans and one non-supporter. They are aged between 15 and 20 years. It was produced in 2001 and co-ordinated by Community Education Services, Area 6, Glasgow City Council.

Available from:
Alison Logan
Glasgow City Council
Tel: 0141 287 4206
email: Alison.Logan@education.glasgow.gov.uk

Length:
35 minutes

Type:
Video

Content:
This video focuses on football and Catholics and Protestants. 'Sectarianism exists all in the name of religion and football.'

Interviews:

  1. Professor Tom Devine - History of Sectarianism
  2. David Watt - Social Charter Consultant, Celtic FC
  3. Lawrence McIntyre - Head of Operations, Rangers FC
  4. Cardinal Thomas Winning - Head of the Catholic Church in Scotland
  5. Reverend David McLellan - Moderator Church of Scotland
  6. Cara Henderson

Celtic and Rangers representatives provide a history of the clubs. The interviews are interspersed with video clips, e.g. shipyards, people going to the football, Celtic and Rangers paraphernalia.

Where the Celtic and Rangers stuff is shown on screen, the screen is split to show both at once. The video clips have flute music playing in the background.

There are also commentaries by the girls, e.g. what is a bigot / bigotry?, why they support a particular club and whether sectarianism is an issue or not.

There is an interesting drama piece with two 'dads' talking to two daughters about football and religion with one supporting each 'side' but saying exactly the same thing.

Watch out for the use of slang / pejorative terms, which could be picked up.

There is also a drama piece with girls talking about what they think about the other 'side' then meeting and realising that they are actually very similar.

Sections:

Sashes, Flutes and Statutes:
This explores the relationship between religion and football in Glasgow / the West of Scotland, including its history.

Drama Pieces:
There is a drama piece with girls commentating on a tiddly winks match (green and blue counters) using footage of Celtic / Rangers supporters at matches.

It uses a lot of slang and pejoratives in drama pieces about aggression - watch out for these.

Drama piece about heaven: both sides of supporters are surprised when they can both get in and that entry is not about which team or religion they follow.

Commentaries:
Cara Henderson comments on the Mark Scott murder and why they started Nil By Mouth.

The girls ask where should they go from here, talk about it themselves and ask their interviewees.

Resource Summary:
The video makes some valid points about aspects of sectarianism and could be used to start discussions, however, it does not look at the wider picture and would probably have limited appeal outside Glasgow given its focus on Celtic and Rangers.