By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Scottish-Nigerian actress Carolyna Hutchings has opened up about the racism and discrimination she endured while growing up in Nigeria as a mixed-race child.
In a recent interview with Arise TV, Hutchings revealed that her skin color and hair texture made her a target for bullying throughout her primary and secondary school years.
Despite being born and raised in Nigeria, she said she constantly faced rejection and prejudice from peers and society. “I Had to Learn How to Defend Myself”
Reflecting on her early years, Hutchings recalled how difficult it was to navigate school life as a mixed-race child.
“As a mixed-race living in Nigeria, who was brought up by her grandmom, I faced a lot of racism. The color of my skin and the texture of my hair were a big problem for me. I was bullied all through primary school to secondary school. So I had to learn how to defend myself.”
But the discrimination didn’t end in her childhood. She explained that even in her professional career, she continued to experience racial bias, despite her impressive academic and professional qualifications.
Workplace Discrimination and Stigma
Hutchings holds an MBA, an MSA in international law, and a doctorate, alongside numerous professional certifications from Lagos Business School and the University of Lagos.
Yet, she said these credentials were often overlooked because of her appearance.
“I also suffered racism at my workplace. I’m such a scholar… I have a lot of certificates. So when you speak and you’re a beautiful mixed-race woman, you tend to get bashed.”
She further noted that being a divorcee in Nigerian society brought another layer of stigma, making it even harder for her to be accepted.
Carolyna Hutchings is one of the stars in the recent season of the reality TV show tagged “Real Housewives of Lagos” making a comeback after been out of the Season 2.
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