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I (white, blonde and green-eyed at the time) spent a lot of my childhood in SE Asia and southern China in the late 70s/early 80s. Once we got to the smaller, i
by Baeocystin 2y ago
I (white, blonde and green-eyed at the time) spent a lot of my childhood in SE Asia and southern China in the late 70s/early 80s.
Once we got to the smaller, interior towns, we had to be really careful with our movement, as we could attract dangerously large crowds just by going to the morning market or the like. The vast majority of people were just curious, and I have a lot of happy memories of smiles and connections, but a few of coming close to getting killed, too.
Still, risk is everywhere, and the positives win out. I loved learning what I could, and I hope meeting us was a net joy for the folks we interacted with, too.
- fragmede 2y agoYou were going to get killed for being white in the wrong place?
- Baeocystin 2y agoProbably less to do with being white specifically than simply being a convenient Other, but yes. Most people are great. Some are awful, a few evil. When you stand out, you'll attract the attention of everyone, including the latter, and you'd be wise not to forget that, in all its aspects. The whole reason we were able to survive is that locals looked after us, too, and that's worth emphasizing.
- archsurface 2y agoThis is normal in many areas of the world.
- wavemode 2y ago> green-eyed at the time What happened to your eyes?
- Baeocystin 2y agoThey turned hazel when I hit puberty. Hair got darker, too. Pretty common in white folks, FWIW.
- wavemode 2y agoTIL!