The “Problem” of Race
Racial prejudices are so complex; they have many layers and implications.
I grew up in the American South, so I had an idea of what I thought racism was. Where I lived as a child there was only white people and black people; there wasn’t any other kind of ethnicity, so I thought that these two groups were the only ones with racial tensions, and that it was all a direct result of the slave trade, years and years ago.
All I knew beyond that was that it was apparent that ill feelings persisted on both sides. I was just a child and I have always been tender hearted. I felt it was wrong and I felt afraid.
As I began traveling and having new experiences, I was a little surprised to find racism exists between probably every people group on the planet.
Maybe I was naive, but I thought racism was a black and white problem. I knew about predjudice agains Jews during WWII but I thought that was over and done with.
Then I learned more.
Guatemalans didn’t like Mayan Indians. Lao don’t trust Vietnamese. Cambodians don’t like Thais. My year in China was perhaps the most glaring; it seemed like the most xenophobic place on earth!
I have experienced racial prejudice in positive and negative ways. I have been told by probably half a dozen people of different ethnicities that I am more like THEM than I am like a white American. This is meant as a compliment, but it implies that “you all” are a certain way and “we” are different.
I have also been charged higher prices just because of the way I look. Because I have white skin, I must be rich (if only it were that easy).
It bothered me a lot at first, because in America we are taught to have a very strong since of JUSTICE; it isn’t technically acceptable to deny someone anything on the basis of their appearance, age, or race.
In Thailand I notice classified ads from business looking to hire, “female, less than 25 years of age, Thai national only, pleasant appearance” for a receptionist job.
If you think about it, it makes perfect sense to want to hire someone with these “qualifications” for a receptionist job, but in America it is illegal to make physical appearance a criteria.
Because of this, in America, a lot of things are unspoken, inferred.
I think a lot of aspects of race don’t get explored enough, so they become taboo. I think it makes things worse for racial relations.
In Asia, I get comments all of the time about my appearance. My white skin, my “big nose” (a favorite observation about someone with European features). It also isn’t taboo to pronounce someone to be “fat” or “thin”.
I’m still not comfortable pointing out that someone is “dark” or “light”, like some people in Asia do, but I’m okay with others talking about me in that way now.
I feel like once it is said, everyone is satisfied and we can move on to more interesting topics.
I see value in not ignoring racial differences, but bringing them into the light so that we can acknowledge and accept that they are there.
Even young children notice and point out physical differences; isn’t it better to say, “Yes, she does have brown skin. Isn’t it beautiful?” Instead of , “Shhh! Don’t say that!”
This post started out as a product review, but I definitely have chased a rabbit trail!
My original idea was to express that these are the things that have impacted the way that I view racial relations.
I know they are there, and I have always hoped to adopt internationally.
I have heard of couples shying away from adopting a child of a certain race because they worried that it would “cause problems” with extended family or within their community.
I can imagine what they might be thinking, but I can’t imagine turning down a child in need of a family. Any child.
I hope I never let ideas about race (mine or anyone else’s) get in the way of me choosing what is right and good.
Stay tuned for a giveaway from OriginOne.
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23 January 2009, 1:30 pm
funny how things are so different and so the same. as for the adoption thing…have you seen my motley crew? i would have to say that i wouldn’t want people adoptiong bc they felt like they had to and then regret it later. parenting is just to hard for that…and the perfect fam is out there, sometimes they just don’t know it…which is really sad.
23 January 2009, 1:40 pm
Great post!
My husband is from India and thankfully, if my family had/has an issue with it they have kept it to themselves, (my immediate family love him though!)
We have both noticed that if he goes somewhere alone or I am not standing with him, some people treat him differently. I think a lot of time they do it subconsciously.
Rachel S.s last blog post..Moved…almost
23 January 2009, 1:43 pm
I think it is true that we should talk about the differences with our kids. They notice it and if we brush it under the rug and are afraid to talk about it, it IMPLIES that race and skin color is something either odd or to be ashamed of.
I am of the same mind about adoption.
23 January 2009, 1:48 pm
I completely agree with you! In the quest for everyone to be equal America has made the color of your skin the elephant in the room. I hate it! We cannot be color-blind because that would be denying our heritages! But we can love everyone and be fair to everyone no matter what they look like or where they came from. I think everyone had gotten a little too got up in the details.
Alexias last blog post..Harvesting the Heart
23 January 2009, 2:19 pm
A very well thought out and well written post about race and racial prejudice worldwide. Have you thought of submitting this to newspapers and magazines?
Jennifers last blog post..Focus Friday-Week Three
23 January 2009, 3:20 pm
Bravo! I loved reading this, as you always express things so perfectly. I too want to teach Soren that our differences are to be celebrated. It’s amazing how even around the world, differences are often used as reasons to hate each other. I was surprised even when teaching in urban schools how kids from Puerto Rico hated kids from The D.R. and from Mexico. I know a lot of people just think they’re all the same, but I was more shocked at how these kids, many of whom had never been to their parents’ home countries, were growing up learning to dislike other kids in their classes for stupid reasons. Ugh!
23 January 2009, 3:46 pm
You are SO right about acknowledging the differences rather than trying to pretend they don’t exist. Brilliant post, I loved it. xoxo
23 January 2009, 5:06 pm
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23 January 2009, 5:11 pm
Wow, that was a very interesting post. You made several good points. I hadn’t realized that prejudice is so common in Asia. I strongly believe that here in America we need to be color blind and judge people by their character instead of their skin color. But we have a long ways to go. It’s sad, really. Great post!
Cascia @ Healthy Momss last blog post..Spotlight Blog - No Time for a Haircut
23 January 2009, 8:41 pm
Well said! Thanks!
25 January 2009, 1:15 pm
Great minds think alike dear friend.
I learned something from my Rastafarian friend years ago. I was explaining my very primitive philosophy regarding prejudice; if we all had bags on our heads, we would judge people the way it was mean to be, according to their actions. I told him that I believed there really was no differences, we are all the same.
He took a bit of offense at this and expounded upon the way he saw it, the same as you. Celebrate the differences! The differences between races are what makes them beautiful, interesting. If we go around with bags on our heads, we’re basically in denial, refusing to acknowledge the differences.
It was then that I really understood and was able to really appreciate and acknowledge differences.
Thank you Can Can for a most thought provoking post.
12 March 2009, 4:25 pm
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25 March 2009, 5:13 am
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