Casual Racism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Person of color here. Yes, it is relentless and exhausting. It's just part of life. Also agree with op than many on this board have the luxury of telling you you are the problem.

By "person of color" you probably mean not African American and not white, so yes, many people will assume you or your immediate ancestors came from another country. It's ok to acknowledge that some people groups have been here longer than others.

I'm Black, but thanks Karen.

African or ADOS? I don't what "Black" is.

New poster here

Black is a racial construct. The whole premise of this thread is the appearance of a person causing casual racist comments And micro-aggression. We are not talking about ethnicity. And if we were, there’s more than “African” or “ADOS” That would be under the umbrella of Black.

The umbrella of "Black" particularly with a capital B doesn't need to exist. If you are African, just say African. Black used to imply ADOS only but now meaning has been confused so it is best term is not used.

NP and someone saying they are African covers a huge swath of cultures, ethnicities and races. Saying Black identifies how someone is perceived by others. Africa is a continent with many races.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you're finicky like me. There is a lot of passive racism in this area. As a latin person it really gets to me when other latin people speak to me in spanish because of my complexion and latin looks but never do to my brother who is tall/white. I speak to them in English and they speak Spanish back to me. Same with some white people. I speak to them in English and they suddenly bring a translator. Like WTF??!! You have a European accent and I have no accent and you're bringing in a Spanish translator when I'm speaking to you in English? Make sure to call out every person that makes you feel uncomfortable or you will think about it for days.

FYI, in Asian dominated areas in Virginia I do notice more Asian/White tension around. Some whites arguing with Asians over their driving and manners. Being latin I don't like how other latins make us look. Shopping cart anyone? good god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just let me vent.
I live in NW DC. Most of our neighbors are white and we are one of a few Asian families. Most of the time we are happy here. But sometimes we encounter casual racists. They are not malicious, but ignorant at best.
A few days ago, my child helped a guy who lives nearby to pick up the things he dropped. He said "Xiexie" to my child and went away. I know it means "thank you" in Chinese, but we are NOT Chinese. My child only speaks English and doesn't know a single Chinese word. I wasn't very happy, but tried to forget about it.
Today I took an elevator in a nearby shop. It smelled awful as if someone spilled something nasty on the floor. A few minutes later, a white woman and her partner got in. And as they noticed the smell, I saw them exchange this look. I could feel that they thought it was me smelling nasty. Perhaps it wasn't a completely racist thing. But I can't help thinking that they might have looked elsewhere if I were white.
I don't know what I should have done. Perhaps I should have said something in both occasions. Or not. Perhaps we should move to Hawaii or somewhere else with major Asian population. Anyway, thank you for letting me vent.

Seriously, I think you would be very happy in Hawaii. It’s a paradise for Asian Americans. Except for the HCOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op and anyone else who ever considers it, posting about racism brings racist posters on like ants to sugar. They love making idiotic correlations and throwing in stupid metaphors about hammers to invalidate your lived experience. It can be depressing to read all their shi#y thoughts but remember they are racists and not worth a second of your consideration or feelings.

I agree, but it's also an interesting test. And interesting as well to see how easily people who don't experience such moments are offended when people who do describe their experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m South Asian and Muslim. I get tons of micro aggression too. From “you speak English so well” to “you’re so exotic” it doesn’t matter that I was born and raised in the Midwest, people just see other when they see Asians. It’s sad that now my kids are experiencing it.

I’m a ordinary white American and no one has ever told me “you speak Spanish so well!” , despite considerable effort on my part to do so….If anyone ever did, I’d feel really complimented by that. I certainly wouldn’t think of it as a microaggression.


This crap is what’s wrong with this country now. Everyone is looking to win the most-offended-victim sweepstakes.

You weren't born and raised in a Spanish speaking country! There is no correlation

I work almost exclusively with Central Americans - hence my need to speak coherent Spanish. For all intents and purposes I DO live in a Spanish speaking country. That was the point of my post.

I’m sorry, I should’ve taken you into account when I posted earlier, and explained the things that would’ve otherwise seemed obvious because of context.

My bad

NP. But English is your first language, like the midwestern PP you’re trying to compare yourself to. How would you feel if english speakers told you you speak English well on a regular basis? Because that would be the equivalent to the story you responded to. She didn’t learn English as a second language as an adult for a job (like you’re trying to learn Spanish as an adult for your job). She grew up in an English speaking area with english as her first language.

Also, working with people who speak Spanish in an English speaking area isn’t the same as living in a Spanish speaking country. That’s just silly. I don’t know if you mean your coworkers speak Spanish or if your clientele speak Spanish, but when you leave work you’re back to being one of the majority-people who speak the dominant language in the country.

Your post was very odd.

[Anonymous]

OP, I hear you. I’m mixed race and get tired of being asked “what” I am, told I'm exotic looking, etc. White people on here don't realize what it feels like to always be seen as a your race first.

[Anonymous]

I am Asian (100% Japanese) & while I can relate - I personally would not have a problem w/the latter but maybe would w/the first situation.

For what it’s worth, I live in SoCal + there is a large Asian population here so you may like it here better than Hawaii.

It is just as expensive though but bonus is that it never rains here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "xiexie" is a microaggression arising out of ignorance. The elevator thing has everything to do with the smell and not race.

Definitely not enough to move to Hawaii, unless you are fond of surfing anyway.

I know microaggression is a trendy term right now but this wasn’t one. He thought it was being nice to recognize people speak other languages not just English. He was not being antagonistic towards him or prejudice or discriminating towards him. Allowing people to claim racism when it’s not takes away the seriousness of people harmed by hateful racism.

Half of my family are Latinos and when we go to restaurants there’s usually a Latino employee who will speak Spanish to them. Real racism is a person yelling at someone to speak English because you’re in America.

I don’t know of any smells that are associated with Asians. They probably would have done that to anyone in the elevator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Person of color here. Yes, it is relentless and exhausting. It's just part of life. Also agree with op than many on this board have the luxury of telling you you are the problem.

By "person of color" you probably mean not African American and not white, so yes, many people will assume you or your immediate ancestors came from another country. It's ok to acknowledge that some people groups have been here longer than others.

I'm Black, but thanks Karen.

African or ADOS? I don't what "Black" is.

New poster here

Black is a racial construct. The whole premise of this thread is the appearance of a person causing casual racist comments And micro-aggression. We are not talking about ethnicity. And if we were, there’s more than “African” or “ADOS” That would be under the umbrella of Black.

The umbrella of "Black" particularly with a capital B doesn't need to exist. If you are African, just say African. Black used to imply ADOS only but now meaning has been confused so it is best term is not used.

It does need to exist as it describes in general terms a large group of people. Some are Americans, some new immigrants come from African countries or South American and Caribbean countries.

If you are having a friendly conversation you might mention where you’re from. It wouldn’t be “Africa”. My youngest has a friend from Uganda. My oldest has a friend from Sudan who came from a refugee camp.

Also I can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Korean people. There’s no diversity in their countries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The man basically said "All Asians look alike" and look at the all the fine white folks in here excusing it and blaming the recipient for being offended.

Can you tell which country Latinos come from? Some of us can but most Black and White Americans, the ones who have been here their whole life can’t. Mexico is part of North America but Americans typically use the term “Mexicans” to describe anyone from a South American country. They can’t the difference from a Peruvian and a Guatemalan even though they look nothing alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "xiexie" is a microaggression arising out of ignorance. The elevator thing has everything to do with the smell and not race.

Definitely not enough to move to Hawaii, unless you are fond of surfing anyway.

What if it was a Latin American boy and the man said gracias? But the boy is Brazilian Latin American and they say obrigado, not gracias. Is this also a microaggression or an honest mistake?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The man basically said "All Asians look alike" and look at the all the fine white folks in here excusing it and blaming the recipient for being offended.

Can you tell which country Latinos come from? Some of us can but most Black and White Americans, the ones who have been here their whole life can’t. Mexico is part of North America but Americans typically use the term “Mexicans” to describe anyone from a South American country. They can’t the difference from a Peruvian and a Guatemalan even though they look nothing alike.

I’m European but I bet none of you can identify what European country I am from based on my appearance…should I be offended? Or does this only apply to people with high levels of melanin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The man basically said "All Asians look alike" and look at the all the fine white folks in here excusing it and blaming the recipient for being offended.

Can you tell which country Latinos come from? Some of us can but most Black and White Americans, the ones who have been here their whole life can’t. Mexico is part of North America but Americans typically use the term “Mexicans” to describe anyone from a South American country. They can’t the difference from a Peruvian and a Guatemalan even though they look nothing alike.

So you, too, would assume someone was from a certain country based on how they look (Peru v Guatemala)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The man basically said "All Asians look alike" and look at the all the fine white folks in here excusing it and blaming the recipient for being offended.

Can you tell which country Latinos come from? Some of us can but most Black and White Americans, the ones who have been here their whole life can’t. Mexico is part of North America but Americans typically use the term “Mexicans” to describe anyone from a South American country. They can’t the difference from a Peruvian and a Guatemalan even though they look nothing alike.

I’m European but I bet none of you can identify what European country I am from based on my appearance…should I be offended? Or does this only apply to people with high levels of melanin?

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "xiexie" is a microaggression arising out of ignorance. The elevator thing has everything to do with the smell and not race.

Definitely not enough to move to Hawaii, unless you are fond of surfing anyway.

What if it was a Latin American boy and the man said gracias? But the boy is Brazilian Latin American and they say obrigado, not gracias. Is this also a microaggression or an honest mistake?

Why are you assuming the kid is anything other than an English speaking American? That's the microagression part: othering someone based on your perception of their race. The impact of microaggressions are the constant reminders that you're not viewed as American enough whether the intent is malicious or benign.

I can't imagine y'all are this dense in the subject so I know the ignorance is intentional.