Insidious racism in Britain

[NedimNapoleon]

Why do people keep mixing Chinese and Japanese people.

 

[Lillefix]

Why do people keep mixing Chinese and Japanese people.

Because they can't tell the difference?

 

[NedimNapoleon]

How come, the difference is big.

 

[Lillefix]

Actual racism is much rarer here than in most countries, particularly when you compare us with France or the US, which is partly why we have a much more relaxed attitude to jokes about it.

We always compare each other it to other western nations. I wonder how it would turn out if we compared it to African or Asian countries.

How come, the difference is big.

I'm sure there are bigger differences within China than there is between Eastern China and Japan. In any case, we had a Japanese guy(or possibly one who just lived in Japan) here a few years ago. He claimed that even the Japanese and Chinese themselves had trouble to really see the difference(although most claimed they could).

 

[Flying Pig]

Because they can't tell the difference?

Aussies and Kiwis get it too, as do Canadians and Americans, and don't even get me started on French/Swiss/Belgian or German/Austrian/Dutch/Swiss/Little Countries in the Middle. Most of us simply don't have detailed knowledge of the different ethnicities and accents. Conversely, if I meet someone brought up within about 20 miles of where I was I can tell their village straight away.

 

[Eat_Up_Martha]

But, frankly, I think more Chinese people should learn martial arts so that they can beat the crap out of people making unfunny and asinine remarks.

Having all asian people know martial arts is a good way to not promote prejudice?

Kidding aside, yeah, racism's bad. I think that good-natured joking with your friends is one thing, but to openly say racist remarks against people you don't know (ie, on the street) or to openly present racist stereotypes in mass media is another.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

Taking about ethnic problems I found these videos on the subject to sumrize the problems well.

Link to video.


Link to video.


Link to video.

 

[CELTICEMPIRE]

I honestly never understood racism, but I think in this instance it is because of a general dislike of immigrants in Europe, and fears that these foreigners are going to steal the jobs.

 

[civ_king]

Where I am Indians get stereotyped as people at 7-11, my reaction is typically "R U 4 CEREAL!?" I have been asked to speak Indian before...

 

[wilycoyote]

This type of racism isn't that important. Everyone gets stereotyped as black, fat, gay, a nerd, young, or whatever. I don't know how often on these boards Americans are identified with guns and war, neither of which I am involved with, and I don't care. Being PC isn't a virtue anymore than waiting until marriage to have sex is one.

It's when "ism" infringe on rights, say gays not being able to marry, that it becomes something to rage against.

 

[Flying Pig]

We always compare each other it to other western nations. I wonder how it would turn out if we compared it to African or Asian countries.

What, you mean those African countries where they start genocides over the thickness of your nose?

 

[Loppan Torkel]

I honestly never understood racism, but I think in this instance it is because of a general dislike of immigrants in Europe, and fears that these foreigners are going to steal the jobs.

That's racist.

 

[CELTICEMPIRE]

That's racist.

huh?

 

[Flying Pig]

That's racist.

Not in itself - we had the same fears a few decades ago about hte Irish. Hell, that issue dominated, along with pro- or anti-catholicism,American politics in about the 1850s

 

[Loppan Torkel]

There isn't a general xenophobia in Europe. You shouldn't make sweeping allegations like that.

 

[wilycoyote]

There isn't a general xenophobia in Europe. You shouldn't make sweeping allegations like that.

Last time I checked France basically put a "brown people need not apply" sign out for all to see.

And with Germans... I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere in my life than in Germany.

 

[Flying Pig]

There isn't a general xenophobia in Europe. You shouldn't make sweeping allegations like that.

...there rather is. You only need to look at the gains made by Nationalist parties in recent elections. On the whole, Western Europeans are worreid about losing their jobs to immigration.

 

[Loppan Torkel]

Last time I checked France basically put a "brown people need not apply" sign out for all to see.

What? Where? The French are all racists too now?

 

[wilycoyote]

What? Where? The French are all racists too now?

I'm talking about the burqa ban, of course.

 

[Loppan Torkel]

...there rather is. You only need to look at the gains made by Nationalist parties in recent elections. On the whole, Western Europeans are worreid about losing their jobs to immigration.

In Sweden 95% voted against the "less immigrant friendly"-party - how does that make the general Swede xenophobic?