Regina Ford who plays the first black character in an Irish soap opera, has experienced racism in Ireland.
'Glenroe' makes Irish television history with the introduction of the first black character in an Irish soap opera. American actress Regina Ford plays the character Ruby who makes an unexpected appearance as the mysterious wife of farmer Oliver O'Driscoll, who was murdered by his brother Ray with the help of his mother Lizzie.
Las Vegas-born, Harvard University-educated Regina Ford moved to Ireland in 1997. She has appeared in the Gate Theatre’s production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and had gained film work in Brendan O'Carroll's ‘Sparrow's Trap’ and an Uberto Pasolini production.
Nonetheless, Regina Ford is aware of the lack of parts for minorities in Ireland,
If there were more parts, then a lot of the black people who were in Ireland would apply for them.
Since moving to Ireland Regina Ford has experienced racism,
The things that cause racism, ignorance and xenophobia are everywhere.
The racism she encounters in Ireland is unlike anything she has met before.
People don't realise how loud and outspoken the racists here are.
Regina Ford is racially abused walking down the street in a way that never happens in America. She is deeply upset to find after all she has accomplished in life, she is reduced to the colour of her skin,
It's devastating.
Regina Ford explains the importance of the African American identity,
Blacks were the only people taken to America by force.
She disagrees when Pat Kenny suggests there might come a time when African American people will simply identify as American.
It's that struggle of us finally being able to stand up and say I'm African and don't take that away from me.
The episode of ‘Kenny Live’ was broadcast on 27 February 1999. The presenter is Pat Kenny.
