Job Discussion Forums

MESL · Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 291

http://behindthewall.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/05/15/11720584-in-china-english-teaching-is-a-whites-only-club?lite

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=100602

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

Yeah, nothing new here. Research teaching in China and this is one of the first things you come across. Sad, but that's the reality.

zactherat · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 295

Hi there MESL, while you were out the noughties called - they want their news back.

luckylibrarian · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:25 am Post subject:

Excuse me.

There are African and Black American teachers in China. We are doing just fine. I just came back from a big China-Caribbean Party yesterday.
We all are just fine in China! Thanks for the concern.

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

It's not to say that there AREN"T black teachers in China, it's saying that many Chinese schools prefer white teachers. Unfortunately i've met many capable/responsible black teachers in China that have had trouble getting jobs. When I was studying I was offered a part-time job hanging out on a tour with students going to Hong Kong.....all expenses paid. I wasn't interested (I dunno why, i'm weird) so I tried to give the job to my friend.......and the leader of the job flat out told me "We need white people"

When I first arrived I had some friends from Kenya that were here 3 years but finally decided to leave because they said they just got tired of the racism. As much as China likes to pretend to be a "Harmonious society" it's terribly racist.

Or even at a dinner with my former school the headmaster greeted the white teachers and called us "laowai" which is normal but when talking about the African teacher, he ws only refered to as "heiren"

These are just a couple experiences i've seen as a white dude in China. Obviously I can't see it from your POV, but since you're black, I would be actually interested to hear how long you've been here and if you've experienced any racism.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

they're even more racist against xinjiang ren.

luckylibrarian · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 4:05 am Post subject:

Like I said we are just fine. I'm an American. The color of my passport is what the Chinese care about not the color of the skin. The Africans get discriminated against because of nationality and race. My school employs blacks and Filipinos by the way. They hired a few Africans. The owner is a very progressive thinker. He doesn't care about color or ethnicity. I forwarded my employer's telephone number to a Pakistani friend. He said they want him to send in a CV. They know he is brown skinned.

I know I'm black and female. I have heard of heiren before. They have another term"black ghost". I have heard that too. I say" I am an American". That is all that matters in my world.

I just find it interesting that white men are so upset about blacks being discriminated in China, but don't say anything about American racism and discrimination. My Chinese students ask me why do whites hate Obama so much? I just smile and chuckle. Even children can see through BS.
I like it when students form their own opinions without adult influence.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

The Obama thing is funny to me, so he got elected twice only by the black vote? The vast majority of people i've seen that hate Obama have just been psycho "Birther" people. I don't deny racism in the West, but there's a LOT of "racism" that is created by news and media or just as a easy out.

That being said, I think the reason people are more outspoken about it here is because racism in China is more blatant than back home. I mean if you had people openly saying "Sorry, we only hire whites" then you better believe there'd be a uproar from a lot of people, not just the effected people.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

luckylibrarian · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject:

I know that whites voted for Obama twice. My students know that too.

American racism is just as blatant. Since I have been living in China, I've noticed an uptick of EEOC lawsuits by minorities in Corporate America. The ironic part is many Asian Americans have filed discrimination suits. Black Americans aren't the only ones who have problems with the establishment.

talkgabchat · Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 43 Location: Shanghai

To think that the Chinese care more about your passport than your skin color is naive. It's the sad reality of working here. If I had dark skin or were Asian I wouldn't want to work here. No matter what color your skin is it needs to be extra thick to deal with the potential discrimination of being in the minority, and all the power to you guys for handling it.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154