Does the color of our skin really matter?

[BlackPuma]

Oh geez.. that's just terrible what happened to your friend.

But yes, the simple truth is that there are racists everywhere. BUT you have to consider the percentage of racists in conjunction with those who are not. This differs per country, and even in various areas within that country.

Where I come from there's two kinds of racism, unspoken and blunt. The young people (sadly of my age (Though, not to say everyone of my age is racist)) tend to be very blunt and aggressive in their hate. The older people (again, not every older person) tend to be racist but don't express it until they are alone with family.

I'd say talk to non-native people online about it before you head of to said country. Their experiences and knowledge might prove useful! :3

 

[Hannes]

The truth of the matter is that skin color only matters to people with chips on their sholder. Why is it that when people are unhappy within themselves they begin to look for the faults in others? This is where racism comes from.

I can guarantee you there will be sufferers of anxiety and panic in any race, so in other words we all work the same way. Don't let the smaller groups of uneducated or unhappy racists restrict where you choose to travel in life. If you do, you will be denying yourself the opportunity to live your life to the fullest and become the best you can.

All the best.

 

[Waybuloo]

You know there will be racists in most Western nations, if a Western country is where you are considering to go. I used to live in Sydney, in fact I grew up there most of my life, and I experienced some racism at school and on the streets, but the perpetrators are either other ignorant immigrants or white supremacists who aren't well educated.

The problem with Australia is that it has a strong underlying racial tension due to mass immigration, and this will most likely manifest itself in areas rife with dense immigration and a working class environment. There are many Asians in the cities esp Sydney which makes the tension worse there. You tend to find less or no racism in nicer and more affluent areas. I did not experience any when I moved to a nicer area, went to a better school, went to uni and went into office work. I saw many Asian students at uni, i've worked with 3 Singaporeans in group work racism doesn't seem to register with them, although they stuck together with their racial groups.

I would not goto the US because in my mind Americans can be quite racist, maybe this has something to do with a tendency to stereotype and pigeonhole people, and to that effect they share the same sentiment that many Australians do. I find the whole racism thing ironic given the treatment of native Indians and Aborigines under the whites.

I've lived in the UK for over 3 years and not once have I experienced racism. People treat me just like everyone else, although that could be due to fewer numbers of East Asians compared to South Asians and Blacks, who bear the brunt of most racial resentment.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

I would not goto the US because in my mind Americans can be quite racist, maybe this has something to do with a tendency to stereotype and pigeonhole people, and to that effect they share the same sentiment that many Australians do. I find the whole racism thing ironic given the treatment of native Indians and Aborigines under the whites.

My ex-boyfriend is American. Well his family is really nice and warming. But I've always heard about my seniors and friends telling me what your point is.. about americans being racist and all. I guess, it's true.. wherever I go, there are bound to be racists, sad isn't it? If only the world could just live happily in harmony..

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Oh geez.. that's just terrible what happened to your friend.

But yes, the simple truth is that there are racists everywhere. BUT you have to consider the percentage of racists in conjunction with those who are not. This differs per country, and even in various areas within that country.

Where I come from there's two kinds of racism, unspoken and blunt. The young people (sadly of my age (Though, not to say everyone of my age is racist)) tend to be very blunt and aggressive in their hate. The older people (again, not every older person) tend to be racist but don't express it until they are alone with family.

I'd say talk to non-native people online about it before you head of to said country. Their experiences and knowledge might prove useful! :3

Will do! But I don't have much friends I know of that are away (><)

 

[AGR]

I would not goto the US because in my mind Americans can be quite racist, maybe this has something to do with a tendency to stereotype and pigeonhole people, and to that effect they share the same sentiment that many Australians do. I find the whole racism thing ironic given the treatment of native Indians and Aborigines under the whites.

I too wouldnt want to go to US,maybe only for vocation,to much racial segregation ,at least from the outside it looks like it.

 

[coyote]

"Americans" are not racist.

Some stupid people who live in America are racist.

Unfortunately, the people who make TV programs like to show stupid people doing stupid things.

Most of us are not like that, I assure you.

 

[NathanielWingatePeaslee]

My ex-boyfriend is American. Well his family is really nice and warming. But I've always heard about my seniors and friends telling me what your point is.. about americans being racist and all. I guess, it's true.. wherever I go, there are bound to be racists, sad isn't it? If only the world could just live happily in harmony..

I have a memory of being on the school bus when I lived in Singapore in middle school. There was this Chinese kid, and a few of the other kids on the bus were calling him a 'chink' and making fun of him. He wasn't even the only Asian on the bus, but there were mostly Western kids on it (I went to S.A.S.) and he wasn't very popular in general. I guess that made him an easy target.

At the time I remember being confused and thinking those kids were weird and crazy. Racism is one of those things that's so irrational that it took me a long time to figure out.

So yeah, racism is probably less common in Singapore because it's so delightfully mixed there. It is everywhere though. There are always people who will look for any excuse to look down on others in order to feel better about themselves.

 

[Waybuloo]

I have a memory of being on the school bus when I lived in Singapore in middle school. There was this Chinese kid, and a few of the other kids on the bus were calling him a 'chink' and making fun of him. He wasn't even the only Asian on the bus, but there were mostly Western kids on it (I went to S.A.S.) and he wasn't very popular in general. I guess that made him an easy target.

At the time I remember being confused and thinking those kids were weird and crazy. Racism is one of those things that's so irrational that it took me a long time to figure out.

So yeah, racism is probably less common in Singapore because it's so delightfully mixed there. It is everywhere though. There are always people who will look for any excuse to look down on others in order to feel better about themselves.

Funnily that reminds me of an incident at primary school. I was one of two Chinese kids at the school, the rest were mainly white. No one made an issue of my race, in fact on the first day I enrolled they were all so friendly to me. It was only when I insulted one of the kids who was more popular than me that they made the Asian eye gesture at me. After the incident all were forgotton, and they didn't do anything like again. Racism can be the easiest weapon with which to inflict pain, just like you would call someone fat because it's so obvious and you think that would mark them out.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

I have a memory of being on the school bus when I lived in Singapore in middle school. There was this Chinese kid, and a few of the other kids on the bus were calling him a 'chink' and making fun of him. He wasn't even the only Asian on the bus, but there were mostly Western kids on it (I went to S.A.S.) and he wasn't very popular in general. I guess that made him an easy target.

At the time I remember being confused and thinking those kids were weird and crazy. Racism is one of those things that's so irrational that it took me a long time to figure out.

So yeah, racism is probably less common in Singapore because it's so delightfully mixed there. It is everywhere though. There are always people who will look for any excuse to look down on others in order to feel better about themselves.

Yeah well actually there are racists in Singapore too. Most of them are against the Malays and Indians.. maybe because Chinese is the majority? Idk.. I hate it. I mean, I myself am a Chinese but sometimes I just find it a disgrace.

But in Singapore its not so much of an issue. Because usually such racists are mostly cowards. They wouldn't dare say it in your face compared to say, western countries for example.

When I was young I always thought Singapore is one of the most harmonious country. Because our pledge always mention about 'regardless or race, language.......' until when I grew up and work, I figured it's not that pretty after all.

 

[coyote]

In parts of Africa, brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all black.

In the Balkans brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all white.

In south central Asia brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all central Asian.

There is some racism in the US, but it pales in comparison to many other parts of the world.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Funnily that reminds me of an incident at primary school. I was one of two Chinese kids at the school, the rest were mainly white. No one made an issue of my race, in fact on the first day I enrolled they were all so friendly to me. It was only when I insulted one of the kids who was more popular than me that they made the Asian eye gesture at me. After the incident all were forgotton, and they didn't do anything like again. Racism can be the easiest weapon with which to inflict pain, just like you would call someone fat because it's so obvious and you think that would mark them out.

Well yeah, over here calling someone fat is more common than touching race. If I'm not wrong, its an offence in Singapore. So most of them wouldn't dare touch that in public, only behind people's back.

 

[NathanielWingatePeaslee]

In parts of Africa, brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all black.

In the Balkans brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all white.

In south central Asia brutal, savage, genocidal warfare is fought between the peoples of different ethnic tribes - all central Asian.

There is some racism in the US, but it pales in comparison to many other parts of the world.

OMG he's different! Let's kill him! Humans are so awesome.

 

[Felgen]

My girlfriend is hispanic, it never bothered me that she was from a foreign country. There are a few racists where I live, but they are either old and ignorant or anti-semitic youth left-wingers. Not much of it in Northern or Western Europe.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

"Americans" are not racist.

Some stupid people who live in America are racist.

Unfortunately, the people who make TV programs like to show stupid people doing stupid things.

Most of us are not like that, I assure you.

I'm glad to hear that :]
I've always wanted to visit that place, despite lots of people telling me how dangerous it is..

 

[Felgen]

I get the impression that Americans are quite tolerant toward ethnic minorities. The same goes for homosexuals, religious minorities and so on.

 

[Waybuloo]

Well yeah, over here calling someone fat is more common than touching race. If I'm not wrong, its an offence in Singapore. So most of them wouldn't dare touch that in public, only behind people's back.

It is illegal to be racist in the UK and in Australia, but it doesn't stop people because it is so easy to chuck a throwaway comment, especially if you are ganged up on. In the US it isn't illegal to be racist, it is seen as freedom of speech..

 

[Felgen]

Are you being sarcastic?

No. Homosexuals have been allowed to adopt for years, it's illegal to discriminate against people on behalf of their ethnic group (no such law here in Norway) and you can freely express your own religion.

Here in Norway, anything that promotes anything but atheism, "our" culture, hypocrisy and Scandinavian smug is considered "politically incorrect".

 

[Felgen]

*Texas PUBLIC schools are required to teach the Bible:
Texas public schools now required to teach the Bible
Texas public schools required to teach Bible this year - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |

"The purpose of a course like this isn't even really to get kids to believe it, per se, it is just to appreciate the profound impact that it has had on our history and on our government"

WHAT? American constitution is based on the belief that the church and government are separate.
If they offered to teach other religious texts then OK. But this law only mandates that the Bible be taught.

*I'm sure you've heard about the Arizona Immigration Law.

"It requires police officers, “when practicable,” to detain people they reasonably suspect are in the country without authorization and to verify their status with federal officials, unless doing so would hinder an investigation or emergency medical treatment.
It also makes it a state crime — a misdemeanor — to not carry immigration papers. In addition, it allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced."

*6 out of 50 states only allow gay marriage.

48 out of 50 states allow for gay adoption. Also, if every school in the United States indoctrinated children, then I find it suprising that Americans don't have lower IQs than Europeans.

For comparisson's sake, in any country where everything is supposed to be politically correct, hollier-than-thou know-it-alls (read: socialists and social democrats) will whine if you have a menora in your office in december, if you teach your children about Jesus or if a university professor claims that the free market economy is superior to the planned economy.

 

[Felgen]

I was just trying to say that Americans aren't as tolerant as you were making them out to be, that is all.

There is prejustice in absolutely every country in the world. This goes for both Singapore and USA as well, but influental countries with high economic importance, much ethnic diversity and so on will typically have less racism, homophobia and intolerance than other countries.