Love Island's Jack Fowler says growing up with a black father gave him a ‘powerful insight into what racism really is’

‘I feel as a white looking mixed race man, I’ve experienced many moments of white privilege,’ reality television star says

(Instagram/@_jackfowler_)

Jack Fowler has recalled the times he was treated differently because of the colour of his father’s skin, saying that growing up with a black father gave him a “powerful insight into what racism really is”.

Fowler, who starred on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018, shared a photograph on Instagram of himself with his father alongside a lengthy caption.

In the caption, the 24-year-old told his 1.3m followers that his ancestors came from the tropical island of Saint Helena, where they were enslaved.

Saint Helena is a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean where Napoleon Bonaparte was famously imprisoned by the British until his death.

Fowler stated that his grandfather was “one of the first hundred to arrive [in the UK] just after the Windrush on the RMS St Helena”, with his grandmother following shortly afterwards.

“My dad met my mum who was a white British East Londoner when he was 12 and as my dad reached 34, my elder brother was born followed by me,” he wrote.

“Growing up with a dad who’s a man of colour was a powerful insight into what racism really is.”

Fowler said that he learnt about the slave trade from an early age, stating: “Because my dad is black, I was educated from a young age about the slave trade as my ancestors were slaves on their home island, Saint Helena.

“The experiences that my dad had growing up being a man of colour in school and throughout adulthood have been taught to me.”

The musician recalled times in his life when he’s “been treated different because of the complexion of my dad’s skin”, including his early football career where he was “treated differently as soon as people knew that my dad was black”.

“I was confused at the time but quickly learnt and became aware of what was happening,” he said.

“It made me feel frustrated but I understood that my dad is a black man who has been through feeling this way all of his life.”

Fowler added that he feels a “responsibility” to share his story, as an individual “who has a white skin complexion but has parents of colour”.

“I love the black culture and it hurts to still see that even in 2020, black people are not being treated equally,” he stated.

“I feel as a white looking mixed race man, I’ve experienced many moments of white privilege.”

Fowler concluded his caption by saying he feels “proud” of his roots, signing off with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag.

Several people left supportive messages for the Love Island star underneath his Instagram post.

“You are who you are and proud to be by your side,” said Blue singer Simon Webbe.

“I love that you are proud of your roots, as my dad is also from St Helena,” another person commented. “People need to be educated on what really happens and open their eyes to what discrimination is out there.”