Is asking people where they are from racism?

[Timsup2nothin]

I was going to link a beer ad featuring the Swedish Bikini Team, but got sidetracked.

 

[Yeekim]

I live in a very good neighbourhood, thank you. Though I have lived in bad neighbourhoods.

Look, if someone comes up and asks where you're from simply because of your colouring and before they've heard you say anything, there's every reason to think that person doesn't have your best interests at heart. It really isn't idle curiosity or an ice-breaker conversation-wise, imo.

Granted, if one is approached on street and asked: "You. Where are you from?", it does not bode well. But since the OP only mentioned he had been asked (without his teeth getting kicked in subsequently) it probably didn't happen quite like that.

 

[Arwon]

We live in the age of the easily offended.

Tell us again about how upset you are by gay people getting married.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I have no idea what you think racism means, then. That a racist must be like a KKK or Nazi-equivalent? No, it's not. Racism can be fairly benign on an individual level but still contributes to the systematic construction of a group of people as an Other, for which, you know, "obviously don't belong here by virtue of ethnicity" is a perfectly sufficient reason.

It could, but to assume this "otherness" factor is the intent shows your own bias in looking to find a racial dimension in what could be just a conversation. In fact, I would suggest that by making that assumption, you are guilty of putting them into a group you can call "other" and you are showing great disrespect for their effort to recognize you as a person by making conversation. To engage a stranger in in casual conversation at a personal level is a sign of respect and recognition of them as a distinct individual. You should embrace the opportunity and tell your story in your own words.

I think the whole idea of asking people "where do you come from?" is a direct reference to recent immigrant status that would probably be better avoided, because a recent immigrant may take it as a commentary that they are not 'fitting in.' Anyone who isn't a first generation immigrant is likely to have an answer that is far more complicated than useful anyway...and the more that happens the better.

I think you are looking to create a problem where the likelihood is that none exists. maybe its because i live in NM, but I never hear anyone talking about how many generations its been since the ancestors showed up. I didn't hear it in NC either and I lived there for 20 years.

We have learned in this thread it is racist to ask people where they are from.
We have also learned it is racist to assume where people might be from.

I'm developing phobia of strangers...

You are getting the wrong message. The lesson here is that where ever you go in this world, there are people who will find something about you they don't like. You will say the wrong thing, look at them wrong, not respond like they expect, dress inappropriately, etc. The normal rules of conversation between friends usually doesn't apply. If you want to get to know those people better, you will have to work harder to be their friend. Taking on their burden of seeing you as a racist is a difficult task.

I live in a very good neighbourhood, thank you. Though I have lived in bad neighbourhoods.

Look, if someone comes up and asks where you're from simply because of your colouring and before they've heard you say anything, there's every reason to think that person doesn't have your best interests at heart. It really isn't idle curiosity or an ice-breaker conversation-wise, imo.

I'm not sure how you tell what their reason for asking or actual intent is.

 

[Triewd]

We live in the age of the easily offended.

Truth is truth no matter who says it.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Yes, the modern world has empowered people to be offended and to make those feeling public. I think lots of people want to be part of a group that has been offended. We like having axes to grind against some other group. Being part of group is important to our psychological well-being.

Other than CFC, what are the groups you feel connected to?

 

[Triewd]

Yes, the modern world has empowered people to be offended and to make those feeling public. I think lots of people want to be part of a group that has been offended. We like having axes to grind against some other group. Being part of group is important to our psychological well-being.

Other than CFC, what are the groups you feel connected to?

You asking me? Er give me a second

I am a member of a chess club a community volunteer project, a furniture social enterprise (not strictly a charity).

Online I am a member of another game forum (very different place to here)

Im not really a member of any political groups though I have some sympathies with several.

 

[Birdjaguar]

You asking me? Er give me a second

I am a member of a chess club a community volunteer project, a furniture social enterprise (not strictly a charity).

Online I am a member of another game forum (very different place to here)

Im not really a member of any political groups though I have some sympathies with several.

It is an open question to all. Our need to be part of something larger compels people join groups and by joining groups we create a wall that separates us from those who are not members of our group.

The point being that when someone takes offense (justified or not) they are creating such a wall and establishing themselves as part of a distinct group that is separate from whoever was offensive.

The solution: don't be offended even if you have the right to be.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

It is an open question to all. Our need to be part of something larger compels people join groups and by joining groups we create a wall that separates us from those who are not members of our group.

The point being that when someone takes offense (justified or not) they are creating such a wall and establishing themselves as part of a distinct group that is separate from whoever was offensive.

The solution: don't be offended even if you have the right to be.

Alternative: By completely annihilating anyone who offends you the formation of a barrier is prevented and no group of "other" can form.

While I do not advocate this approach, historically speaking it seems to better reflect genuine human nature.

 

[Triewd]

It is an open question to all. Our need to be part of something larger compels people join groups and by joining groups we create a wall that separates us from those who are not members of our group.

The point being that when someone takes offense (justified or not) they are creating such a wall and establishing themselves as part of a distinct group that is separate from whoever was offensive.

The solution: don't be offended even if you have the right to be.

Thats a heck of alot easier to say than do - distinction is a necessity of existence, though it is ironic that the anti racists have similar logic to the racists (for example)

Anyway its late here and I need some sleep so later.

 

[Natan35]

No. Its not rude.
(Though I come from Israel, there are people from many distant places here, like Poles, Ethiopians, Russians, Japanese, Americans, Etc.)

 

[classical_hero]

Edit. Not worth my time.

 

[Arwon]

You try to hide it but you're so easily offended

 

[REDY]

It's not what you ask, but how you ask.

 

[bhavv]

The tone of voice doesn't really matter in these cases. People ask the question in a perfectly normal tone of voice, but too many refuse to believe that I can be from the UK.

Regarding the idea of being interested in peoples backgrounds to learn about their culture ... What exactly about that could someone expect to learn or get out of me? I have zero interest in culture, and have no desire to discuss such things.

Why do people have to assume that non white individuals somehow must be different and live according to another culture?

 

[Borachio]

Other than CFC, what are the groups you feel connected to?

In no particular order: the human race, the animal species, and generally all things containing molecules. Also the class of things maintaining a more or less upright posture in a gravity field.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

In no particular order: the human race, the animal species, and generally all things containing molecules. Also the class of things maintaining a more or less upright posture in a gravity field.

Indeed you can ask anybody anything and no one can feell offended since you are brother to all.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

It's not what you ask, but how you ask.

And when. As someone already mentioned, if I'm walking down the street minding my own business and some stranger opens a conversation with "yer not from 'round here, are ya?" it is going to sound some alarms...but pretty much everyone that I have known for a while could tell you that one set of my grandparents immigrated from Scotland.

 

[Snorrius]

No, it is not.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

And when. As someone already mentioned, if I'm walking down the street minding my own business and some stranger opens a conversation with "yer not from 'round here, are ya?" it is going to sound some alarms...but pretty much everyone that I have known for a while could tell you that one set of my grandparents immigrated from Scotland.

I got the "you're not from around here" thing because of my reaction to getting a bunch of $2 bills in my change in British Columbia.