<p>When he was 11, Leon Diop had his first experience of aggressive racism.&nbsp;</p><p>But his identity was something he wrestled with in many ways.</p><p>In a remarkable interview on Free State, Leon Diop talks about the Ireland he grew up in and being mixed race in that world.</p><p>He talks about the confusion and shame he felt about his father, a Muslim from Senegal, and how he internalised that shame for many years.</p><p>He explains how education changed him as he realised the difference between standing up for yourself and fighting for yourself.&nbsp;</p><p>At a time when Ireland is experiencing more racism, he says he might be frightened but he refuses to despair.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>