While the killing of George Floyd has us all looking towards the U.S. as a place of deep-rooted racism, the experiences of Irish athletes Gina Akpe-Moses and Joseph Ojewumi suggest we need to look closer to home.
The pair joined Eoin and Ger on OTB AM, after a huge reaction to an interview Gina did with Arthur O'Dea for OTB Sports.
Gina says she hopes the global outcry after Floyd's killing in Minneapolis will help change mindsets here in Ireland.
"I would like to believe people are now recognising... how they can fix it or change their mindset, and see the world through our point of view and not just theirs.
"That's also been an issue, people aren't trying to put themselves in our shoes. They haven't thought, 'Okay, what would it be like to be a black person for the day?'
"Everyone neglects the fact that the average black person does find it harder to get a job, when you go shopping you feel like you're being watched because of the stereotypes.
"I would like to believe people in Ireland are now more aware of it and will act accordingly, or do better to help other people who have been subjected to racism."
Gina, who was born in Lagos but grew up in Dundalk before moving to London, says she has experienced racism in Ireland on many occasions.
"When I would have my natural hair out people would be like 'Oh Gina, why's your hair so short?' and start laughing. I've been told [by people] they were surprised I could speak good English and had a Dundalk accent.
Patiently waiting for the Athletics community to speak up 👀
— Gina Moses (@GinaAkpeMoses) June 3, 2020
"And I'm just thinking to myself 'Why would I have a strong African accent when I came here when I was two?' I was barely speaking so how was that even going to work?
"I was called a n****r before when I was quite young by some boy who didn't really understand what he was saying, but he said it. He still knew it was offensive and said it.
"And online racism too, after I've competed and got medals. I had the flag on the wrong way around and people were like 'That's the Ivory Coast, why do we have her, she's not Irish, her name doesn't sound Irish.'"
Twenty-two-year-old Ojewumi, who sprints with Tallaght AC, says he too has had first-hand experiences of racism in this country.
"Walking into a shop and automatically the security guard comes and follows you around the shop, I experienced that just last Saturday with one of my friends.
"The whole hair thing, they want to touch your hair, they ask if you like watermelon just because of the colour of my skin.
"When I played football you get really heated, and if I tackled someone the wrong way the first thing you'd get is 'You black bastard', or called you the n-word - really blatant to your face.
"Or even take it off the field, if I'd be having a regular argument with someone, the first thing they turn to is to comment about your race. They have nothing else to turn to.
"That just shows hate and a lot of disrespect. They know it hurts."
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