People assume I can't speak Welsh because I'm not white

People assume I can't speak Welsh because I'm not white5 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBeth Alaw WilliamsBBC Wales Brandon BrownSeren says she is tired of the assumption that she doesn't speak WelshA black presenter and journalist says it is frustrating that her ability to speak Welsh is doubted because of the colour of her skin.Seren Jones, from Cardiff, said she did not experience "the same assumption as [her] white friends", with some Welsh speakers switching to English when they see her.Now living in London, Seren said: "I doubt I'm the only person of colour in Wales that's had that experience."The 2021 census showed an increase in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales from Asian, black or other ethnic backgrounds.Actress Mali Ann Rees said inclusivity was key to encouraging more people to speak Welsh, with "no excuse" for unconscious bias. Andy Pritchard/RondoSeren Jones says she's often met with shock when she says she's a Welsh speaker"I've got quite a neutral accent because I've lived in London for almost a decade and I've moved countries throughout my life," said Seren."Also I'm not a white person, and I think a lot of people in London and in England, when they think of someone Welsh speaking Welsh, they think of someone who's more white."The 2021 census showed 18.4% of white people in Wales (around 533,000) spoke Welsh - a decrease from 19.5% in 2011. Of those identifying as Asian or Asian British, the figure rose from 6.3% to 6.4%, and for those who were from a black, black British, Caribbean or African background, it rose from 5.6% to 6.1%.Welsh speakers among people from other ethnic groups increased from 5.5% to 5.9%. Seren JonesSeren grew up in a Welsh-speaking householdSeren has fronted a number of podcasts and documentaries, including Yn Fyw yn y Dwr on S4C.Brought up in a Welsh-speaking household, she said non-Welsh people were...