Anti-racism week: meet Brazilian illustrator Tarsila
Did you know this is the beginning of Anti-Racism week?
To mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Thursday, we are encouraging people and organisations to share #diversity stories.
For the first post of the week we chat with Tarsila Krüse, a children’s book illustrator. She says, “diversity and inclusion brings the best out in everyone and we can all contribute, in our own way to the world.”
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself/your project?
My name is Tarsila Krüse and I'm a Children's Book Illustrator. I'm originally from Brazil and I live and work in Dublin.
What are your thoughts on racism? Have you experienced or witnessed racism?
Racism is the prejudice and discrimination of people based on their race, from a standpoint of race superiority. Coming from a multicultural and diverse country such as Brazil, I believe that racism is a foul behaviour that has a terrible impact on people's lives. It's not only a form of aggression, but it diminishes people's perceptions of themselves and what contributions they can bring to the world.
What do you think are the benefits of diversity in Ireland?
There are benefits to diversity in any country, including Ireland. A diverse society can rely on different experiences, cultures and approaches to overcome many of its social, economic and overall challenges. I have been welcomed in Ireland with open arms and have been connected to the Irish speaking community through many of the books I have created (most of them have been written in Irish, for Irish speaking children). I find that both my cultural contributions as a Brazilian who lives in Ireland and their cultural contributions as Irish who welcomed a Brazilian national to their community have been mutually beneficial, we can understand each other better as people and come up with better solutions together.
What is your message during this week of diversity & anti-racism?
People are people, with incredible qualities and their faults. We're not perfect, but we all have something to bring to the table despite race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability. Diversity and inclusion bring the best out in everyone and we can all contribute, in our own way, to the world.