Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain says she’s experienced more racism in the last five years than ever before
Author is urging people to #CallRacismOut
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Your support makes all the difference.Nadiya Hussain says she has experienced more racism since finding fame than ever before.
On Wednesday, the former Great British Bake Off champion shared a post on her Instagram account to discuss the racial abuse she has received.
Addressing her 523,000 followers, Hussain wrote: “Just because you don’t experience racism, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, it does!
“I have experienced more racism in five years working in the TV/Food industry than any other time of my life and it’s time to call it out!”
The mother-of-three did not elaborate on the incidents but added the hashtag “#CallRacismOut” in the caption.
Many if Hussain's followers and celebrity friends commented on the post to thank her for highlighting the prejudice she has received, including singer Dannii Minogue who wrote: "Please continue to shine a light on any injustice and call it out.
"I am so sad and moved to hear you have been treated this way by people in the TV industry. I want you to know I am here to support you and help make change."
Food writer and cook Georgia Hayden added: "AMEN MY FRIEND."
The Bake Off star’s comments come in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died while in police custody on 25 May.
Floyd’s death has since prompted worldwide Black Lives Matter protests with people marching to demand justice and put and end to police brutality.
This is not the first time that Hussain has spoken out about the racism she has encountered over the years.
In 2016, the author said racial abuse has become part of her life, so much so she now expects it.
Speaking to Radio 4 host Kirsty Young, Hussain said: “I’ve had things thrown at me and [been] pushed and shoved. I feel like that’s just become a part of my life now. I expect it. Absolutely I expect it.
“I expect to be shoved or pushed or verbally abused because that happens. It’s been happening for years.”
Hussain went on to explain how she deals with the abuse, adding that she never retaliates negatively but instead chooses to be the "better person".
“I feel like there’s a dignity in silence and I think if I retaliate to negativity with negativity then we’ve evened out,” she explained. “And I don’t need to even that out because if somebody’s being negative, I need to be the better person.”
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