Great Teams (1 of 3)
	From a letter to local organisations in Spring, 1997: Anyone who lives or has grown up in Liverpool 8, will be aware of the long history of racism, mistrust and sometimes violence within the area and its two ‘halves’ (an oversimplification), Granby and Dingle. Nationally, the area is infamous as ‘Toxteth’ (mis-titled by the media, from the contemporary name of the parliamentary constituency, now Liverpool Riverside) for the ‘riots’ that occurred in 1981 and, more recently, for the killing of a local ‘businessman’ by gunshot, in 1995. Some of this history is often characterised as ‘Granby vs. Dingle’/Black vs. White, etc. The real story is much more complex. There is lots that is great about L8, but one thing is certain: Dingle has to address its racist past and present. In the prevailing atmosphere of the forming of partnerships, this presents an opportunity to enable people – especially young people – to challenge racism and encourage working together, to take part in the social, economic and cultural regeneration of the area.
	Inspiring initiatives had been taken by young people in the Dingle, during the past year. For example, Artskills’ former participants and others formed Dingle MADE SAFE (Music and Arts Development Exchanges Supporting Arts For Everyone). The group have organised numerous music events across the city and raised funding for a community cultural exchange with Dublin – to follow up the Irish capital’s twinning with Liverpool.		But, as one of their number commented: We’ve been to Ireland, but we don’t even know what’s happening over in Granby! Following a racial assault on a local resident and voluntary worker, the horrified response – particularly from local young people – indicated the strength of anti-racist feeling that exists among local residents and the will to practically express this