Named as one of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008, Benjamin Zephaniah was a lifelong Aston Villa fan, enjoying close ties to the club through his work and as an ambassador for the Foundation.
To commemorate the first anniversary of his passing on December 7, the Foundation’s Primary School Sport and Education team have worked closely with Benjamin’s family to hold a poetry competition for young poets inspired by his writing.
Receiving over 50 entries, the winning poet will enjoy a stadium tour of Villa Park for their whole school class as well as being awarded a trophy.
Selected by Benjamin’s family, eight-year-old Mumeen was chosen as the winner. Mumeen was presented with the prize and read his poem aloud in front of his classmates:
There’s no room for racism, not a single space. No place for hatred, no time to waste.
In hearts, in homes, in every street. Let kindness and respect be what we greet.
The colour of skin, the shape of your face, Should never decide your worth or your place.
For in this world, we all belong, United in spirit, together we’re strong.
No room for the whispers that tear us apart, No room for the anger that poisons the heart.
In the light of compassion, let darkness fall. We’re all the same, no matter how tall.
A world where every soul can stand, No judgement passed, no heavy hand.
Where love and empathy are guiding way, Racism has no voice to stay.
So let’s build a world where all are free, To live in dignity, in harmony.
No room for hatred, no room for fear, In this world, let equality appear.
No room for racism, no room for hate, Only for justice, love and fate.
Together we rise, together we see, A world where we’re truly, finally… free.
Speaking about why Mumeen’s poem was selected as the winning entry, Benjamin’s sister Joyce said: “My sister Millicent and I each independently looked at the entries and chose Mumeen’s poem as he seemed to have understood the concepts and philosophies of Benjamin’s work.
“He is so young, but he seemed to understand so much of what Benjamin would have wanted to hear in terms of racism, people coming together and unity.”
