For Shaka Hislop, an encounter with racial abuse on a petrol station forecourt in 1995 marked the beginning of a long journey towards tackling racism in the UK. The then Newcastle goalkeeper was filling his car when a group of youths started shouting abuse at him. Recognising one of them, they began chanting his name and asking for autographs, forcing Hislop to drive away quickly.
However, it was after that incident that Hislop gained a new perspective on football and racism. He had previously been taught about the power of individuals in changing society through their platform. The realisation hit him when he saw how people reacted to him as a black man compared to how they responded to his skills on the pitch.
Two months later, Hislop joined forces with teammate John Beresford to tackle racism in schools. They headed into Newcastle's northern suburbs to discuss racism with pupils at Gosforth High School, kicking off an event that became the foundation for Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC), a leading educational charity.
Thirty years on from its inception, SRTRC continues to run anti-racism workshops in schools, colleges, workplaces, and football stadiums across the UK. The charity owes its origins to a conversation between Hislop and friend Ged Grebby after that petrol station epiphany.
Hislop describes how he was once seen as deserving of vile abuse but became a celebrated figure when his identity as a black man faded away from 50 yards. This duality, where people see differences at first glance, only to find common ground upon meeting someone, is something Hislop believes helped create the foundation for SRTRC.
Former Newcastle teammate John Beresford played a pivotal role in the charity's early success. He would tour schools with Hislop and discuss his experiences of racial abuse, including the day he unknowingly joined in with the crowd at Bramall Lane when they shouted racist abuse because he didn't know any better.
The conversation about racism has come full circle for both Hislop and Beresford. They were once on the receiving end but have since become powerful voices against racism. The Newcastle squad that lost the 1995-96 title to Manchester United is now set to reunite, albeit postponed due to Kevin Keegan's cancer treatment.
However, Hislop knows his personal battles are ongoing, having recently completed an eight-week course of radiation therapy for prostate cancer and having undergone a radical prostatectomy. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic that the fight against racism will continue until it is dismantled entirely.
"I was originally an idealist: I wanted to deliver my kids a world without racism," Hislop says. "But I now recognise this is a marathon. Racism has been here for hundreds of years and it might take another 100 years to dismantle but we'll get there."
However, it was after that incident that Hislop gained a new perspective on football and racism. He had previously been taught about the power of individuals in changing society through their platform. The realisation hit him when he saw how people reacted to him as a black man compared to how they responded to his skills on the pitch.
Two months later, Hislop joined forces with teammate John Beresford to tackle racism in schools. They headed into Newcastle's northern suburbs to discuss racism with pupils at Gosforth High School, kicking off an event that became the foundation for Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC), a leading educational charity.
Thirty years on from its inception, SRTRC continues to run anti-racism workshops in schools, colleges, workplaces, and football stadiums across the UK. The charity owes its origins to a conversation between Hislop and friend Ged Grebby after that petrol station epiphany.
Hislop describes how he was once seen as deserving of vile abuse but became a celebrated figure when his identity as a black man faded away from 50 yards. This duality, where people see differences at first glance, only to find common ground upon meeting someone, is something Hislop believes helped create the foundation for SRTRC.
Former Newcastle teammate John Beresford played a pivotal role in the charity's early success. He would tour schools with Hislop and discuss his experiences of racial abuse, including the day he unknowingly joined in with the crowd at Bramall Lane when they shouted racist abuse because he didn't know any better.
The conversation about racism has come full circle for both Hislop and Beresford. They were once on the receiving end but have since become powerful voices against racism. The Newcastle squad that lost the 1995-96 title to Manchester United is now set to reunite, albeit postponed due to Kevin Keegan's cancer treatment.
However, Hislop knows his personal battles are ongoing, having recently completed an eight-week course of radiation therapy for prostate cancer and having undergone a radical prostatectomy. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic that the fight against racism will continue until it is dismantled entirely.
"I was originally an idealist: I wanted to deliver my kids a world without racism," Hislop says. "But I now recognise this is a marathon. Racism has been here for hundreds of years and it might take another 100 years to dismantle but we'll get there."
i feel like it's so relatable tho! growin up as a black person in the UK u gotta deal w/ racism from every angle, whether it's on the pitch or in everyday life. but at the same time, it's so inspiring 2 see ppl like Hislop & John Beresford turnin their experiences into somethin positive. they're not just victims of racism, they're leaders in the fight against it 
, man he went through some crazy stuff & came out the other side with so much passion 
. it's all about perspective, right? we see people differently at first but when you get to know them, they're human just like us 
. and Shaka's still fighting the good fight after dealing with his own health issues 
Shaka's story is so inspiring. He's proof that one encounter can change everything 
. Now he's helping schools, workplaces, and football stadiums tackle racism. 
Let's keep pushing forward until we have a world without racism! 
Shaka Hislop's story is so inspiring 
, it's like he went from being the target of racist abuse to becoming one of the most vocal anti-racist figures in the UK 
It's not like he had to overcome his own personal demons with prostate cancer or anything 
. But seriously, Hislop's journey is a great reminder that one person can make a difference, even if it takes a while 
.
And I'm sure Hislop's cancer treatment was super fun 
. Just kidding, kinda 
. Maybe we can all learn from him and be more patient (and open-minded) 
.
it makes you wonder if this is a case of "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade"... or in Shaka's case, when life gives you racism, use it as fuel for change. 
. 100 years to dismantle it? That's still way too long 
But it's amazing how that incident sparked a movement and changed his perspective on football & society. I'm really proud of him for using his platform to tackle racism in schools & workplaces! Show Racism the Red Card is doing incredible work, educating people about the impact of their words & actions 
just read about Shaka Hislop's journey tackling racism in the UK after being targeted by abuse on the football pitch, man that was so tough for him! 
I'm really inspired by his determination to make a difference. It shows that even when people are faced with negativity they can use it as fuel to change their perspective and create something positive.
and it's up to us to use them for good! 
. I mean, who would've thought that something so brutal could lead to a charity that's still going strong today? SRTRC has come a long way, and it's amazing to see how Hislop and John Beresford have turned their experiences into a force for good 
️. I love that Hislop is still fighting the good fight, even after his own health battles 
. It's not going to be the same without Kevin Keegan, though 
. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how Hislop and Beresford continue to make an impact – they're true legends of football and social justice