4 ms·

I hate to talk about this. I'm a minority in the country in which I'm living. I've experienced racism -- more explicit than anything described in this article

I hate to talk about this. I'm a minority in the country in which I'm living. I've experienced racism -- more explicit than anything described in this article. And yet, I do not believe that the country in which I live is racist. I do not believe that the community in which I live is racist. There are a few racist people. Some are friends of friends of mine. Some are even my friends. Somehow. I'm not sure how that works, to be honest. But I'll say something which I shouldn't say. It's too personal to say it in public, but if you've never been a minority, then you'll never know. So to spare you from having to move to another place where you are a minority, I'll tell you. The biggest racists is you. Every time you compare yourself to others and wonder if you fit in, you are dividing yourself from the others. Every time you celebrate your culture as if it is different from their culture, you are dividing yourself from others. Every time you say "they" instead of "we" you are separating yourself from others. You can say it is their fault, but it's not. Nobody can control another person. Even if they are racist, it doesn't mean you have to be. How does it sound to say, "We are racist"? Pretty weird when it's them throwing the slurs, or denying you business, or just treating you like crap for no particular reason. It's still your choice. In or out? It's hard. If you become "them", don't you throw away "you"? If you hate them because they are racist, because they treat you badly, are you part of the problem? If you accept it, aren't you part of the problem? Why can't you be "you" without having to give in to "them"? What's wrong with being different? What's wrong with being the same? Those are hard questions. I haven't been a minority long enough to be able to answer those questions. Probably my life will not be long enough to answer those questions. That's part of the problem. The only thing I know is that you won't find peace waiting for others to give you answers. It's something that you have to work out for yourself. Maybe that's not fair, but it's the way it is.

throwawayrstory 8y ago
There is part truth in what you say. Where I lived, I was the only white person in the whole neighbourhood. I later learned there was another - after we dated and a neighbour told me because he found that odd. When I learned to drive, I was the only white person in the school. When I took the exam, there was a white examinator - we all feared him, because he failed more students than most based on technicalities. We he told me he would fail me if I didn't do this special maneuver right on my 3rd and final attempt, I thought to myself I'll total the car if needed, but I'll do whatever. Because there was this doubt in my mind he was being extra pricky for me because of that. When I went to the university, there was about 2 other white person in my whole class. I would estimate 5% to 10% maximum of the university. Things I heard. Things told to me when I tried to run for a student election: "you are a nice person and you have good ideas, unfortunately we both know we are not going to be elected. I would have a chance. You don't". He was wrong, I was elected. It was always an uphill battle. Eventually I said f that, and I moved away. The thing that really drove it was often being asked "how long are your vacation here?" I guess everything else I tried to do doesn't make a difference in the mind of most people. Yes I had good friends that saw beyond the difference and to which I was a normal person. But in the daily life you meet more than just friends. You know the funnier thing? I'm not exactly what one US person would call white. When I visited europe, I found it funny to be followed by security guard. To always be asked to have my bag inspected. To be checked for ID - sometimes everyday by the same policeman. Just for fun. It aint fun. So I am the biggest racist? Maybe. I am no longer a minority. I moved to a country where I do not stand out. It has been years. I love every minute of it. Being able to have normal interaction with people who won't assume the worst of me. It sucks to stand out in the middle.
rimliu 8y ago
Do you think that all cultures are the same?
- throwawayrstory 8y ago
  Generally, yes. About all as racist and trying to take advantage of others. I read the article, and I liked it. But I chuckle when the authors says "We have reclaimed that word as our own. We can use it, and white people no longer can" Maybe this rules apply in polite company? I don't are about polite company. I have been called too many bad names. I can use any word I want - including nigger, when appropriate, like in that story. Sorry to people who don't like that and want to impose me things just because of my looks. Because growing more taboos words, trying to retract in pocket of self preserving culture while crying cultural appropriation is wrong. I did that. The author also. I just hope our kids won't have to leave with that, can fix their DNA any way they want (the transgendered, wouldn't you like that too?) and integrate in any way their want once the human race will have taken grown out of these stupidities and realized we are all in the same boat. DNA doesn't matter much. How people treat you because of your DNA on which you have no control, that matters to me. Funny thought: I really think we will become capable of altering appearance and DNA way before we grow up to become more accepting to people "not like us" and "minorities".

throwawayrstory 8y ago

There is part truth in what you say. Where I lived, I was the only white person in the whole neighbourhood. I later learned there was another - after we dated and a neighbour told me because he found that odd. When I learned to drive, I was the only white person in the school. When I took the exam, there was a white examinator - we all feared him, because he failed more students than most based on technicalities. We he told me he would fail me if I didn't do this special maneuver right on my 3rd and final attempt, I thought to myself I'll total the car if needed, but I'll do whatever. Because there was this doubt in my mind he was being extra pricky for me because of that. When I went to the university, there was about 2 other white person in my whole class. I would estimate 5% to 10% maximum of the university. Things I heard. Things told to me when I tried to run for a student election: "you are a nice person and you have good ideas, unfortunately we both know we are not going to be elected. I would have a chance. You don't". He was wrong, I was elected. It was always an uphill battle. Eventually I said f that, and I moved away. The thing that really drove it was often being asked "how long are your vacation here?" I guess everything else I tried to do doesn't make a difference in the mind of most people. Yes I had good friends that saw beyond the difference and to which I was a normal person. But in the daily life you meet more than just friends. You know the funnier thing? I'm not exactly what one US person would call white. When I visited europe, I found it funny to be followed by security guard. To always be asked to have my bag inspected. To be checked for ID - sometimes everyday by the same policeman. Just for fun. It aint fun. So I am the biggest racist? Maybe. I am no longer a minority. I moved to a country where I do not stand out. It has been years. I love every minute of it. Being able to have normal interaction with people who won't assume the worst of me. It sucks to stand out in the middle.

rimliu 8y ago

Do you think that all cultures are the same?

throwawayrstory 8y ago
Generally, yes. About all as racist and trying to take advantage of others. I read the article, and I liked it. But I chuckle when the authors says "We have reclaimed that word as our own. We can use it, and white people no longer can" Maybe this rules apply in polite company? I don't are about polite company. I have been called too many bad names. I can use any word I want - including nigger, when appropriate, like in that story. Sorry to people who don't like that and want to impose me things just because of my looks. Because growing more taboos words, trying to retract in pocket of self preserving culture while crying cultural appropriation is wrong. I did that. The author also. I just hope our kids won't have to leave with that, can fix their DNA any way they want (the transgendered, wouldn't you like that too?) and integrate in any way their want once the human race will have taken grown out of these stupidities and realized we are all in the same boat. DNA doesn't matter much. How people treat you because of your DNA on which you have no control, that matters to me. Funny thought: I really think we will become capable of altering appearance and DNA way before we grow up to become more accepting to people "not like us" and "minorities".