• Opinion
  • 18 Nov 21

100 Voices #AllAgainstRacism: Darlene Garr – "Be yourself. Be kind, be open and you will find home here"

100 Voices #AllAgainstRacism: Darlene Garr – "Be yourself. Be kind, be open and you will find home here"
The Hot Press Newsdesk
The Hot Press Newsdesk

Darlene Garr shares her thoughts and experiences as part of 100 Voices: #AllAgainstRacism.

Darlene Garr,
Abstract Expressionist

I am a Black American woman boomer living in Ireland for over 24 years, and I have found the Irish a kind, caring, loving and basically honest people. My experience has been that of fairytales, even though every Irish person I’ve met tells me the Irish are racist! I have to laugh because I grew up in America, where racism is a sport.

The thing all of us who aren’t Irish have to understand is that it’s human nature to fear ‘differences’. So understanding that, don’t be defensive. Be open and approachable and you will find you’ve met some of the best people God ever made. The Irish genuinely care, so forget about being Muslim or Black or Polish or African. Be yourself. Be kind, be open and you will find home here.

Read Part 1 of 100 Voices: #AllAgainstRacism, in the current issue of Hot Press. Available to pick up in shops now, or to order online below:

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Special thanks to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for their support in this project.

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