Tyler Roberts says people must look beyond skin colour and embrace diversity for racial stereotyping to no longer be an everyday occurrence in society.
The Leeds United winger enjoyed growing up in a vibrant, multi-racial community in Birmingham but laments what he is experiencing in society at present.
Speaking about discrimination and diversity as part of the Premier League's No Room For Racism initiative, Roberts says everyone should be proud of who they are.
"I think racial stereotyping happens...in everyday life," 22-year-old Roberts says. "People's opinions of the way people dress or the way people look happens all the time...and I've definitely felt that many times before.
"It’s very harmful to stereotype people, because we're all human. It doesn't matter if you're black, you're white, you're Asian. You've all got a massive part to play.
"And some of the people who have created the most amazing things are different colours, and we should all just be proud of that."
Appreciating other cultures
Roberts, who suffered racial abuse when representing Wales Under-17s abroad, says he sees first-hand the positivity of diversity inside the Leeds dressing-room.
"It's great that you get to experience different people's cultures and lifestyles and ask them questions about different countries and their kind of upbringing and their childhood," he says. "It’s a great thing to learn from."
Along with other Premier League players, his video is included in school resources for the Premier League Primary Stars programme, with the aim of inspiring the younger generation to discuss discrimination.
The resources are available to more than 18,000 primary schools, as well as to young people on the PL Kicks and PL Inspires programmes.
See: PL Primary Stars: This is Everyone's Game - Black Voices
