Former Killester and Belfast Royals basketball player Mimi Troy spoke to Off The Bench about growing up in Ireland as a mixed-race woman, and her direct experiences of racism.
Mimi is keen to point out from the beginning that she doesn't believe that Ireland can be characterised as a racist country, but that there are still issues to address. She recently took part in a photoshoot to help counteract racism, in which she held a sign saying: "achievement has no colour."
"I think that it is important to stand up for what you believe in. People say that there is no racism in Ireland, but there is. Would I label Ireland a racist country? No, I wouldn't - but racism definitely does happen here.
"I don't think that in Ireland, and in the rest of Europe, that we have been educated on the twisted and deep oppression of black history. The only way to do that is to educate yourself and reflect on yourself.
"[It might be] thinking about why you haven't spoke out on this, or maybe posted something on social media. Is it because I don't want to get too political? Is it because I don't think my voice matters? This is why I wanted to do this [photoshoot] to show how I feel."
Mimi had a shocking insight into racism directed towards her when she was a child.
"In Ireland, the banter is very passive-aggressive. They think that it is always banter - but at whose expense?
"My first experience of racism, I was only six. I was in senior infants and I threw my apple into the bin. I remember my teacher telling me: 'Get that out of the bin and eat it - your people in Africa are starving for that.'
"To say that to six year old - it was awful."
Mimi Troy
Sadly, it is an experience that persists until the present day, as Mimi explains.
"A few weeks back, I was in a kitchen showroom. I had all the measurements that I wanted, and I saw this man who worked there. He was helping everyone and very knowledgeable, so I thought: 'I'll go to him.'
"I waited for him to deal with a few people and went up to him - and got a totally different response. He was very rude, he made me feel like I was a bit of an idiot. He wasn't really looking at me when I was speaking to him. Just really not that nice."
Not looking to pre-judge, Mimi approached the situation so as not to presume racism where there may have been none.
"I thought to myself: maybe he missed his lunch and he's just having a bad day. Then I saw people behind me go up to him, these two women, and he was more than happy to help them, he was saying 'That's what I'm here for, I'm more than happy to help you - it's my pleasure.'
"I remember standing there thinking that I didn't want to be stereotyped as this angry black lady in the shop and you find yourself in this position of 'should I say something or not?'
"I stood in that shop for ten minutes with that 'Will I, or won't I?' and I just had that final thought of 'forget it' because my mum always taught me to pick my battles."
Unfortunately, the harm that may not have been expressly meant, lingered for a long time. When Mimi returned home, the emotional dam burst.
"I got in my car and headed home, and turned around at the roundabout thinking that I was going to say something to this man - that's the Calvin Troy [Mimi's father] in me!
"But then I got home and Paul, my husband, asked me what happened. I just burst into tears, and felt so disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up for myself, and I didn't stand up for what I represent."
20x20 supporter, Mimi Troy, is pictured above after the launch of Chapter 4 of the 20x20 campaign, 'No Proving. Just Moving.'
This unique campaign aims to showcase the benefits of physical activity and highlights that being physically active is the biggest gift you can give yourself. It is calling on all women - regardless of age, ability or sporting background - to create a new habit with physical activity.
To make this journey easier, 20x20 partner, Lidl, has created a new dedicated online platform, 'Lidl Moves for 20x20'. You can view the new microsite here: https://www.lidl.ie/20x20
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