Racial Abuse in Poleberry
Without giving too much away, I’m (24F) a community carer so my job needs me to go from house to house and I happened to be walking through poleberry on Saturday afternoon.
A middle aged man (40s,50s) from across the road yelled at me to say he “just wanted to say you’re a fucking n****r” and continued on his way.
Couldn’t make it up.
I’ve lived in Waterford for over 5 years and was born and brought up in a different county. Respectfully, all I know is Ireland.
I generally feel safe walking the streets of Waterford and always have done since I’ve moved here and also back home in the other county.
I’ve seen the rise is racial abuse online in this country and have always worried that may spill out into the real world and Saturday afternoon really exemplified that.
I do understand there’s an economical crisis in this country and the government has handled it poorly, so bigoted ideologies are being pushed to the forefront. However I don’t think shouting abuse at black people is the way to go.
I’ve been working in this country since I turned 16 and could work, and haven’t stopped since. I’m in college and doing everything you’re meant to, to get ahead in life and don’t “mooch” off the government so it’s just exhausting to be judged by your appearance and people’s perceptions on you, in a situation where I was very much minding my business (Headphones on and on the other side of the road).
Honestly a bit apprehensive to go that way in future in the event I cross paths with the man again. Just wondering if any other poc in Waterford or other parts of the country have been experiencing similar attitudes towards them as of late.