Racism in China
Does racism exist in China?
If you are reading this, you probably care about this question. This is a complicated issue, so please read carefully and leave your thoughts below or respond with your own post - but keep the language clean, otherwise your comments won’t show up.
This post is not meant to say that racism is worse in China than elsewhere - it is merely an attempt to describe the racism that does exist in China.
Racism Against Black People in China
Racism against black people may be the strongest form of racism in China.
Many families in China would be horrified if their son or daughter married a black person. Some would even disown them outright.
It can be difficult getting a job teaching English in China if you are black. This is because of the perception of many people in China that only white people are ‘true Americans’ or ‘true English’ people.
Sadly, it’s often easier to get a job teaching English in China as a white person from a country where English is not a native language than as a black person from a country where English is the only native language.
Many people in China think most black people play basketball and are violent. If you are black, many people from China will perceive you as African. If you are not, you will have to repeatedly explain that you are from another country
The most common slur against black people in Chinese seems worse than that used for white people - “black ghost” vs. “old ghost”. Many people in China also assume that if you are black, you have very little money.
Racism against blacks in China is also strongly linked to the class divisions and racism that exists within Chinese society. This is not a justification for racism against blacks in China, but for thousands of years Chinese people of lighter skin looked down upon those of darker skin, who often could not afford to be anything other than a peasant farmer.
Racism Against Other Races in China
Though racism in China is strongest against black people, there is a general relationship that determines how foreigners are seen by many people in China: The darker your skin, the more racism you will experience.
No matter where you grew up, if you are not white it will be tougher to get a job teaching English in China.
Racism against Japanese People in China
Leading up to, during, and following World War II, Japan committed many atrocious acts in China and much of the Pacific Rim (with Korea also suffering greatly). This is something that should be redressed by Japan, and not ignored.
However, two wrongs do not make a right - and racism against Japanese people in China is wrong.
Some children in China are taught hate songs against Japanese people in elementary school - and history books in China that deal with Japan focus almost exclusively on the terrible things Japan did around World War II, ignoring much of Japan’s recent history.
The fact that Japan is now a mostly pacifist country is not part of the general awareness of a person who grows up in China. Instead, the popular conception of Japan in today’s China casts Japan as a huge and dangerous threat.
There also seems to be more slurs against Japanese people than against any other group of people.
Subtle Discrimination in China - Starring, Hello, Talking, and More
Subtle discrimination in China is prevalent. Whether it be the obnoxious ‘hello!’ that gets shouted at your back, the constant staring, or the tendency for many people in China to immediately begin talking about foreigners or stories having to do with foreigners upon seeing them, subtle discrimination or at least ignorance is widespread in China.
Racism Against Minorities Within China
Racism doesn’t only extend to foreigners within China - it also extends to its own people. People from Tibet and virtually all Chinese ‘minorities’ are seen as backwards and in need of a helping hand to enter the modern world.
Those from Xinjiang province are often looked down upon as thieves - children are especially vilified, since they are all looked at as thieves. And Xinjiang people are often harrassed by the cop.
‘Classism’ Against Chinese People
You don’t have to be of a different race to be discriminated against in China. People in China often treat those they perceive as belonging to a lower class quite poorly.
Racism Doesn’t Exist in China!
If you ask a person in China whether racism exists, you may well be told that it does not exist, and that they respect people of all countries and colors. But dig a little deeper, ask questions such as ‘what do you think of black people’ or ‘what do you think of Japanese people’, and the answers that come back are often racist.
How the average Person in China Perceives Racism
Chinese people who believe there is racism in China often see it as a racism-against-blacks-only kind of phenomenon. It is clear that racism in China is strongest toward black people, however to believe that this is the only form of racism in China is almost as silly as believing that there is no racism at all.
What do you think about Racism in China?
Help out in the discussion and leave your thoughts below.
(The first 200 comments have been archived to reduce loading time.)
As a chinese student who came to U.S., I would not say there is absolutely no racism in china against black people, but I sincerely don’t think it’s a serious problem. For a nation most of the people who probably will never get a chance to talk to a black people, most of the impression towards them came from movies and media, which is quite shallow. as a matter of fact, I still can remember that was I was very young (6,7 yrs old), I learned that there were some black students who came from Africa who were studying at the colleges where my uncles worked, i was so curious that every time I went there I wished I could get a chance to meet them.
After I came to U.S., I made a very good friend who’s also an internal student from Nigeria. For some reason, I found it’s much easier to make an friend with an African than African American.
Maybe it’s not my position to say this, and I dont know much about the slavery history, but I really think it’s time for African American to forget that history and stop blaming others. That wont do any good. You are the only ones that can help yourself.
btw, my hubby (he’s also a chinese) told me that if he had right to vote, he would vote for obama since some whites are so incredible arrogant towards him the other day after he watched the fox news.
Leo,
I agree with you. This is exactly what I mean: “We have to make sure that WE are doing is the right thing, and yes work twice as hard if need be, so it will eventually become less hard for ourselves and the black people of the future!”
And wish you’ll have a great trip to China.
This comment is for Mia: My lady, what you and others don’t seem to understand is the fact that Racism-White Supremacy is alive and well, in the US and other parts of the world, as well. The feects of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade are still effecting Black people in the united States. For example: Our culture, families, ways of worship, how we dealt with everyone on a day to day basis, was virtually destroyed. We’ve been terrorised by Caucasians for the last two centuries. Or has everyone forgotten the lynchings that occurred in the country for well over a Century. If you read the book entitled, ” 100 Years Of Lynchings ” by Ralph Ginzberg, you’d get a real time sense of what has happened. However, Racism has become more subtle now and much harder to detect. I suggest you read a book entitled, ” Two Nations: Black, White, Hostile, Separate, And Unequal ” by Dr. Andrew Hacker. Finally, no one ever says to the so-called Jews of Europe to
” forget and get over it” , in terms of what was done to them by the Nazis. It is a fact that ” those who forget the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them “. We must never forget the inhuman, despicable, horrific behavior of those who have no respect for life and commit atrocities and crimes against humanity-ever. If you want peace, work for justice. Peace, Tunjii
Things you will find in this thread:
- Pseudo-facts
- Pseudo-science
- Pseudo-intellectuals
- Baseless claims
- Baseless assumptions
- Conspiracy theories
- Incorrect definitions
- Logical fallacies
- Racists claiming that they are not racists
You all know who you are and I have no doubt you will take an immense amount of time to craft a response that is both self-assuring and laughable.
Well, you’ve said a mouthful. The only thing left to be said is provide your proof that all that is said, as regards to facts, definitions, conspiracy theories, fantasies, scientific evidence, etc. are not true. Where is your proof ? You can’t refute something someone presents as facts, simply be claiming they aren’t true. You must provide facts of your own.
amen
I have a very personal story to tell and that is very sad and proves that how racists Chinese can be. I am a Chinese born in Hong Kong in 1950’s and grow up in Taiwan, I met a light skin black guy in college when I was attending school in California during 1968 the hippie era, We got married and my family disown me and cut off my funding. Make a long story short , I got through it on my own; never look back and my husband earn his PH.d and taught 30 year in a elite colleges. When my son was born than a daughter, I thought we had earned our respect and I took my children and husband home. Surprise, !! I had raletives told me that my son is beautiful but my daughter is ugly, why? my son is fair and my daughter is dark. now I had grandchildren ( my daughter in law is English who has blond hair and blue eyes. and one of my grandson looks like my son. have dark hair and dark eyes, and one is blond and blur eyes. Now my family member told me the dark hair one is good looking and the blond on is not…. go figure !!!
The world hates black people, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but almost every country is racist against black people. Its really sad that people are so obsessed wih skin color, when skin color has nothing to do with a person’s soul. I am a mixed Caribbean girl with buttery caramel/olive skin, blondish brown hair and almost almond eyes. i have symmetrical features and even nose. How would i be percieved in China/Japan? (I have many asian friends and i speak some Japanese and plan to go there)
I hate the fact that white-skin supremacy ia alive and well, becaus eits not about ancestry its about color, which is terrible. Its not only a European thing but Asians, Arabs, whites, indians all have problems with dark skin or black people. Hell has fire tho, good for baking people. They will get crispy brown after they spew their hatred on Earth.
I embrace my European ancestry , Indian and African I see beauty in all colors/features why cant the world?
well i have traveled to many places and i lived and worked in China for a few years then i married a Chinese girl and went back to my home country. anyone who thinks that the racism in China is int very bad is either ignorant to the truth or part of the problem.
although I am white and found it very easy to get a job i was horrified at how my jobs all went the people i worked for couldn’t have cared Less about my ability as a worker they I was just advertising weather i was teaching or doing office work. they had a special area for foreign teachers and classrooms that were all glass walled so people could watch and stare. I have family in china and i truly enjoyed many things there but i was treated more like an animal in a zoo than a human in a city. and I had to Fight to get my friend a job because he was black with a masters degree from New York. even tho they had just giving a polish girl with a STRONG accent a job without as much as an interview. Racism is everywhere and that sucks but sometimes when i remember how I myself and some of my friend were treated in china i feel sick to my stomach that its considered normal by the citizens
Well I am on my way to teach in China I sure hope I be O.K. Although I am Black I look as though I’m from India with the long eyelashes, deep eyebrows, and way thick hair, and beautiful skin. I still want to be known as Black I love my race although some things we do makes me unproud. I’ve sent my picture to several companies and they keep asking me where am I from originally as if I’m not from American or they thought I was from somewhere else. Oh well I’ll tkae this journey and keep GOD on my side I hope they not racist like that, shit it’s racism everywhere
I am really shocked to hear that chinese are racist.I used to have a lot of respect for them as a people, but this is gone from now on.
It is not racism! From the books more than three thousand years ago (they probably did not know there were other races then), Chinese has been praising the beauty of whitest skin and darkest hair (like snow-white). It its own member got discriminated by relatively darker skin, how can it be racism?
Come on, you guys. You know China is just stepping into a pre-modern period in recent history, i’m telling you ordinary Chinese now are concerned heart-and-soul about whether they can earn more money or live a better life. They don’t have much time or energy to consider things like “racism” or “discrimination”, please be tolerant. You Americans or Europeans also spent quite much time establishing a decent law system treating those are not white. So my advice to you is to be patient, it is just a fact in China that neither you nor I could change. What I can promise you is that after 50 years things will be different.(maybe shorter):)
Another thing i am wondering about you westerners is why most white marry white, black marry black? Is it also “subtle rasicm” claimed by the author?