Louis Younge
Sky Atlas

My experience in Ireland wasn’t one of discrimination. But I always felt that I wasn’t the same as the other kids. Sometimes that was great, and obviously other times it was really, really tough. I was lucky to grow up around accepting and generally lovely people, I guess!

Most of the racism here seems to come from a lack of familiarity and representation. People are always afraid of what they don’t know, and when people look different to the people you’re used to seeing, it can spark negative feelings.

I’ve only ever got abuse on social media once or twice overtly – like a comment denying my Irishness, or be-littling my experiences. I’m pretty good at dealing with that stuff though, so it’s never really got to me.

I suspect it’ll take ages for it to be totally normal to not be a white person in Ireland, but it’s getting better all the time, and I’m confident it’ll continue to do so. Just be nice to everyone. Challenge your opinions, and be open and willing to be wrong in your views.

Read Part 2 of 100 Voices: #AllAgainstRacism in Hot Press:

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