Ghanaian-born in Belgium, Rosemary Dede has disclosed that some White tutors at her high school in Belgium informed her mother to enrol her in a fashion school despite her interest in tourism.
In a chat on SVTV Africa, Rosemary mentioned that she experienced racism as a Black in Belgium many times. According to Dede, her White teachers suggested that she becomes a seamstress, but understands it as just a strategy to keep Black kids at bay.
“Some of us are discouraged in school. It happened to me. My teachers wanted me to become a seamstress even though I passed my exams. There is nothing wrong with that, but I didn’t know how to sew, and I had no interest in it.
They always want to push us into working for them because of racism. The Whites don’t want us to be like them or more,” she told host DJ Nyaami.
Moreover, Rosemary indicated that many Blacks in Europe lack confidence in choosing suitable occupations because of discrimination.
“Many Blacks here are not confident because we are in the minority. A Black may prefer this job, but he won’t try it because there is no Black in that field,” she added.
However, Rosemary Dede said that her mother consulted her before accommodating the idea of sending her off into a carrier she disliked.
“Luckily for me, my mom asked if that is what I wanted. So I enrolled on another school to study tourism. She’s always been my support system, so I have had it easier,” she added.
Kindly watch the full interview below;
