Ruth Negga has opened up on racial prejudice in Ireland.
The Limerick native is the daughter of an Irish mother and Ethiopian father, who’s death she has spoken about publicly.
Speaking about how she suffered no racial prejudice growing up, the actress revealed that “People are shocked when they hear that.”
Racial prejudice: Ruth opened up on growing up in Limerick | FOCUS FEATURES
Ruth grew up in the large suburban town of Dooradoyle in Limerick, where the Limerick University Hospital is located.
“In Dooradoyle? Well, it’s very simple. That never happened,” she told the Irish Times.
“When people ask me, I think they are looking for something that wasn’t there. You have to take a person’s word for it.
“People have very unique lives. I just didn’t feel my biracial heritage was a problem growing up Limerick.”
Assumption: The actress admitted it’s fascinating how people assume things about her life | VIPIRELAND.COM
Speaking about her past, Ruth hit out at those who made an assumption about her life.
“People assume certain things about what ought to have happened in your life,” she explained.
“It’s fascinating. People can’t cope with particulars, things that don’t fit into their experience.
“If you go off-piste with your history, then they need you to re-clarify.”
British: The Limerick native isn’t bothered by being claimed as British | VIPIRELAND.COM
Ruth also spoke about how many Irish talents have been claimed as British, such as Saoirse Ronan.
“It doesn’t make me growl at all. But it’s like saying your hair is blonde when it’s clearly black. It’s just a fact. It’s not true.
“Sometimes the interview goes too fast and you don’t get a chance to correct it.
“Just because you are clarifying something, sometimes people assume you are furious and you want to be difficult.
“It is just correcting something that’s not true,” she added.
