Job Discussion Forums

[wangdaning]

Yeah, I don't think smell can be attributed to race. It can come from regional or cultural things though. When I was young I always liked how the houses of my Hispanic neighbors smelt. People from tropical regions tend to have an issue with body odor. It seems they sweat when it isn't needed. I had a Malaysian-Indian dorm mate my first year in uni. He had to shower multiple times a day and still often smelled. It was not hot, but he was always sweating.

It might be that some people have been around a black person who smelled and therefore assume they all do. Plug up the nose before they can realize there is no odd odor. Chinese too have been known to make sweeping generalizations.

The black people I know here don't really get much special attention. I am not saying it is untrue, but I think the fright and running described is very isolated. Chinese might be odd in how they act towards differences, but I do not think that the majority are malicious. Ignorant, in many cases yes.

[ssizz345]

From what I understand, the whole deal with Chinese people holding their nose is from the idea that people with dark skin are dirty and don't bathe.

I don't believe it's from any type of generalization based on a bad experience.

Also, if there are any Black foreigners who haven't come across any of the behavior I've described, then that's good for them; although I would prefer to hear this from actual Black people who are in China and not Whites speaking on behalf of their anonymous "black friends".

From what I personally saw and after talking with others and doing research on blogs and news articles, I don't feel it's in anyway isolated.

While I will concede the "fright and running" wasn't exhibited by the majority of people I came across, it occurred often enough by people who should know better that it got old extremely quick.

If there's anyone lurking this thread, Black or otherwise, who is interested about the "black experience" in China, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Race and Racism in the Chinas by M. Dujon Johnson, a book that deals primarily with racism towards peoples of African descent in China and Taiwan.

[wangdaning]

[ssizz345]

I don't feel that in either of my previous posts that I came across as having an issue with people whose opinions differ from my own or non-black people commenting on the thread; and if I'm wrong you're more than welcome to show where I made you feel that way.

However, I will say what you "think" doesn't amount to much when I and countless others have experienced these things first hand on a daily basis.

If I may speak candidly, I don't think I was out of line for my comments about you speaking on behalf of the Black people you know in China. Just because you're in the same place doesn't mean you know exactly what's going on.

I would want to know from someone who has first hand experience and not a person telling me how somebody else is feeling. This is the reality of the situation; being naive or beating around the bush isn't going to help.

Regardless of your unshaken disbelief, these things did happen to me, were not isolated, and everything I've seen and researched for myself leads me to believe as such.

If you're still unsure, I suggest putting the shoe on the other foot and reading the book I suggested in my last post. It contains interviews with Black people from various regions of the world who describe similar acts of discrimination during their time in China and Taiwan.

That's pretty much it for me. I don't intend to argue the point any longer.

The OP asked a question and I gave my advice, take it or leave it.

[Opiate]

Must be hard to determine if somebody is treating you in a manner you do not like for being black or for having dreadlocks or for just being a foreigner who looks different than anyone they have seen before...or just a foreigner.

How does one tell?

Yes, there certainly is racial discrimination in China, I am not disputing that. However, many people, especially minorities, start to feel like victims in every situation and blame it on their race. Every perceived slight becomes racially motivated. Not saying that is the case here but sometimes an 'outside' opinion can help balance things or put things in perspective.

For example...if I see you walking down the street I will go to the other side. You may believe this is because you are black or because you have dreads. Nah, it's simply because I do not like talking to random foreigners. But in the heads of some it would perhaps be racially motivated if they are so inclined to take the victim role at the slightest opportunity.

[mrwslee003]

You are what you eat! Remember that? Not you are what your skin color
is! I haven't heard of the latter until this last moment.

Don't eat garlic if you are going on a date! Remember that? Not you are
a garlic you have no chance for a date!

And, and if I see a person covered in a black or white sheet from head to toe walking toward me on the same side walk, I am scooting to the
other side of the street. I don't question if the person inside is white,
purple or indifferent. I would turn on the light if it's getting dark because
I get scared in the black. And some black people are blacker than others.
I don't know if my fear of blackness is due to my day and night experiences. I may associate charcoal black person with pitch black night
with no stars in sight. Yet I have worked with a black Kenyan lady in Tongxiang and a black lady from Nova Scotia. I still tease the one from NS whenever I see her. I still remember we were bar hopping in Tongxiang with the Kenyan lady, with fond memories.

I think its the word "strangers"; we behave differently after we become
non-strangers, whether we are brown, black or white.

[dean_a_jones]

[jayjjasper]

wangdaning