Job Discussion Forums

[JayCee86]

I disagree that you're more likely to get a job in a smaller city as places in the bigger, more cosmopolitan, cities are likely to be more open. If you want to live in Shanghai go to Shanghai.

The benefits of a smaller city are that places may be less bothered about the two years of experience - although some places in the bigger cities aren't too fussed either, and the cost of living will be lower.

Wherever you go, get used to being asked questions about basketball.

[chinaroman]

If you don't mind freezing cold winters you won't have any trouble finding work up in the Donbei region. Harbin, Daqing, Qiqihar... Hell you can have my job if you want it!

[A'Moo]

I havent seen the plethora of Black teachers here that others profess-they are far outnumbered by Filipinos where I am located.
As a black teacher in China, you WILL face prejudice on a scale youve probably never witnessed. It makes it difficult, especially for African-Americans, who back in the states seem to have no end of agencies and media outlets, to complain to when such situations arise and make good use of them. You are right though, the situation in the sticks would be far worse-I'm a 6'3" white guy who speaks Chinese, and I have been refused services in such locales...An article sent to me by one of my studentshttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2010/05/01/BAT01D7H71.DTL
The Afrcian (Kenyan/Ivory Coast etc) teachers Ive met here seem to handle the situation much better than the African-Amercans-they seem to come more open-minded, and arent so touchy (sense of entitlement?)when things dont go their way...
One things for sure-you cant blame YT here for any misgivings!

[goodbyeus]

Thanks to all for replying with your honest opinions. I think its impossible not to be concerned about situations such as these, especially when making such a big decision about my future. It seems that the underlying theme has been, yes you will face discrimination (something that I am used to even being here in America obviously) but do you want to do regardless. I think my main concern was the feeling of going "backwards" in history by moving to China as a black person. I may be overanalyzing it, but even though there is obviously still racism and prejudice in America, I dont think anyone can argue that America has come a long way. Most of the racism I have experienced in America has been more subtle racism than anything, but for the most part for every racist person I meet, there is someone to call them an a$$hole for it, which to me means alot for a people who just 40 years ago were literally not able to sit in the same restaurants as whites and those ideas were backed up and enforced by the government. I dont want to debate anyone on here about views of affirmative action and organizations whose goal are to promote equality in this country for minorities. A'moo brings up a good point regarding black americans being used to agencies and media outlets to turn to when more overt racism goes on, and I wasnt sure from reading if that was a negative or a positive statement, however, to me its very positive for there to be some kind of outlet to promote equality that people as a whole respond to on a national scale. Do some people abuse those outlets? Of course, in the end we are all humans. I admit that the fact that those outlets or even public denouncement of overt discrimination in China are a bit unsettling (for both blacks and whites) but as many have said, its not right, but its the way it is. Im not one of those Americans who think that every country should be like America (and I truly hope that no one thinks that from this post). On the contrary, im all about a diverse world and learning/experiencing different countries, customs, cultures, and practices (one of the main reason I want to move overseas).

Im going to get off my soap box ( I tend to ramble) and just end with this. I dont want to go to China because im escaping America (although it would be a nice break). I have a good job here and am generally well respected and even make more money than most of my white friends. I certainly dont want to experience teaching for the pay but for everything else that comes with it. Im going to make a solid go at it and see what happens like so many before me, despite the obvious obstacles. My main goal for posting here was to try and get the general climate of racism and discrimination in China particular to blacks teaching there from people who have actually taught there and for any helpful suggestions as how to possibly mitigate some of the hardships of my unavoidable disadvantage.

Last note to A'moo: I could be reading your post wrong, but i dont think its very fair to say that African Americans handle their situation of discrimination in China worse than Africans because of their possible feelings of a sense of entitlement. Regardless of who you are and how you are discriminated against, I personally dont equate "open mindedness" with being ok with being discriminated against. : /