Swaby recalls racial abuse at Boston College

Reggae Girl Allyson Swaby says she has suffered racial abuse during her time as a student athlete at Boston College. Swaby's comments come at a time when racial tensions around the world have risen because of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by police officers in the United States two Mondays ago.

The national defender, in an Instagram post, listed several instances where she was subjected to discrimination because of the colour of her skin.

Directed at her Caucasian friends and followers, Swaby said that her post was meant to show why black people are called to action and why those actions are justified.

Micro-aggressions

"These are some examples of direct racism and micro-aggressions I have experienced at Boston College. I want you to hear some of my experiences because we likely still do or have existed in the same community," she said.

Swaby said that she feels no hatred towards the people who racially abused her in college.

"I watched a video of family members of the churchgoers murdered in South Carolina in 2015, and listened to them explained how they forgave the monster who killed their loved ones," she said.

"I forgave the ones responsible for the words and actions I mentioned above, but what I cannot do is stand in silence and allow another person to think his/her actions are not racist because they are just kidding."

Swaby now plays for AS Roma in the Serie A Women's league in Italy, a country where black football players have been subjected to racist chants and insensitive response from football officials.

In December of last year, Serie A was widely condemned for an anti-racism artwork which featured monkeys.

Racial issues Swaby says she experienced:

n Explaining to white friends why they cannot say the 'N-word;

n Being told I'm black as s*** by a teammate;

n Being told no black people allowed in group photo by a teammate;

n Being told that I wouldn't have gotten into Boston College if it wasn't because of soccer.