Ghanaian defender Jan Gyamerah opens up on racial abuse from school days

Germany-born defender of Ghanaian descent, Jan Gyamerah has disclosed that even during his school days, racism was very common.

The full-back who plays his football for HSV Hamburg in the German Bundesliga 2 Schooled at Stadthagen, near Hanover.

Speaking to “Pur der HSV”, Jan Gyamerh has disclosed that even during those school days racism was common.

“Stadthagen was a small town. There weren’t many black people there then. I was the only one at my primary school and later at high school. A very formative situation was when the majority of the 5th graders were on a confirmation trip to Norderney. When they came back, everyone sang a song, blah blah blah, the Negro, all pointing at me,” the right-back said.

He further shared that during those days, things were very difficult for him as a young schoolboy.

“It was difficult to deal with. Of course you know what negro means. I don’t want to be called that. You felt a bit left alone. You are the only one with the problem at school, nobody supports you there, unfortunately neither does the teach,” Jan Gyamerah said.

He continued, “The issue is still present. Don’t know if you’ve made any progress. It is important that this is discussed and that educational work is carried out at an early stage. Racism is also a big problem in Germany. In everyday life you have to contend with many prejudices when you have a migration background.”