Thread by @ciamartin6, Why it is important to educate yourself and stand up to racism. [...]

Why it is important to educate yourself and stand up to racism. A thread. #BLACK_LIVES_MATTERS #BLM #Blacklivesmatter

1 / Everyone can see what is happening right now and I feel it is important to highlight that racism is not just an American thing. It happens right here on our doorsteps, locally.

As a black woman living in Ireland, I have experienced racism for as long as i can remember.

2 / Just to list a few here are some of my experiences;

Being called names such as ‘shit coloured skin’ ‘poo skin’ being called the n word.

Hearing people say ‘ew no she’s / he’s black’ about myself and other black people.

3 / My afro was made fun of for years. I was made to feel it was something i should be ashamed of and humiliated when people saw it.
People come up to me and grab my hair to touch it when i wear braids or my hair naturally. Would you walk up to a white woman and grab their hair?

4 / My family and I have been followed around in shops and watched. As if we are criminals.

This is a very common one; ‘Where are you really from?’ ‘Go back to where your from!’ ‘Wow you have an Irish name and not an African name?’

5 / When my cousin comes over to Ireland to stay with my family, I have taken him out to nightclubs with me. He has been told he looks like nearly every black celebrity i can think of. He is told he looks like other black people, just because he is black. Casual racism

6 / like this is not acceptable. I am surrounded by people who love and are influenced by black culture. People love black artists, models, actors, actresses and sports stars. People love to darken their skin in sun beds and use fake tan, people love to have bigger lips,

7 / get cornrows / box braids.
However, when it comes to acknowledging racism, violence against black people and standing up against racism. Alot of people who enjoy black culture are nowhere to be seen.

8 / If you love black culture so much, why dont you support black people when we are being oppressed? Why dont you speak out?

9 / ‘Black is so confusin', 'cause the culture? They're in love with it
They take our features when they want and have their fun with it
Never seem to help with all the things we know would come with it’ - Dave, Black.

10 / Irish history is very important to me as I have Irish family and I am Irish. Within the 60’s the civil rights movement in Ireland, NICRA was heavily inspired by the civil rights movement for black rights in America.

11 / A lot of people are very passionate about Irish history as am I. The catholic people in Ireland, in the past and throughout the troubles, faced civil right injustices that we are still outraged by today, we need the same energy for the rights of black people.

12 / If you are outraged by what is happening in America, you can help by addressing, acknowledging and dealing with the situation on your doorstep. America is not the only place with racism.

13 / IF YOU ARE WHITE, USE YOUR PRIVILEGE TO STAND UP FOR BLACK PEOPLE, SHUT DOWN RACISM AND EDUCATE EACH OTHER ON RACISM.

https://twitter.com/thumbaiina/status/1009112826890334208?s=21 https://twitter.com/thumbaiina/status/1009112826890334208