Racism
Sep 2nd 2010, 10:36 am
#106
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Racism
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Sep 2nd 2010, 4:17 pm
#107
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Re: Racism
As a woman of colour (why your American spelling?), my wife has been called nigger by local Emirati youths on several occasions, been mistaken for a housemaid and harassed by Emiratis in white cars with tinted glass umpteen times. Our daughter has been insulted by Emiratis at school to such an extent that we had to move schools. Our African friends have been likewise abused and you should read the racist/fascist graffiti on the walls near our local shopping centre. Maybe Al Garhoud is a bad neighborhood? Unless you wear the national costume (which possibly acts as a protective shield because of the fear factor), I cannot believe that you have not encountered racism here in Dubai...MH you can go back to sleep now.
Sep 2nd 2010, 4:19 pm
#108
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Re: Racism
We did all make the decision to live here, and most of us, despite it's faults really like it here - but we're not so blinkered and stupid that we can't see teh faults that it has, just like every country.
Oh and who lives in a compound on here then? Apart from people in Saudi who I guess live there out of safety?
Oh and who lives in a compound on here then? Apart from people in Saudi who I guess live there out of safety?
Sep 2nd 2010, 5:58 pm
#109
Arrrrrrgh!
Joined: May 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 212
Re: Racism
Isolated, anecdotal, stories of your wife allegedly being the victim of racist abuse by some Emirati doesn't mean the entire society is racist, like some posters on this forum seem to insist (and attack anyone who disagrees with this line). You know, I'm sure your wife (had she still been living in the UK) been called "nigger" by some racists there too. Does that give you the right to blanket accuse the entire country of being racist? And lastly, at least the UAE isn't a country with marauding groups of racists who protest in the street while attacking ethnic minorities. Where in the UAE is the BNP (who has been elected into government!!!!!) and the EDL?
Ethinic minorities? - well that would be the locals then...
Elected into Government? - doesn't really happen here...
Where's the BNP? BNP-Paribas is at Emaar Building 1, Burj Dubai Sq...
I can't usually be bothered to engage with people looking for a cyber spat on this forum - but I have had a couple of beers and you really are a tosser.
Good night!
Sep 2nd 2010, 6:23 pm
#110
Powered by cows
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: currently Dubai, ex UK
Posts: 4,582
Re: Racism
Isolated, anecdotal, stories of your wife allegedly being the victim of racist abuse by some Emirati doesn't mean the entire society is racist, like some posters on this forum seem to insist (and attack anyone who disagrees with this line). You know, I'm sure your wife (had she still been living in the UK) been called "nigger" by some racists there too. Does that give you the right to blanket accuse the entire country of being racist? And lastly, at least the UAE isn't a country with marauding groups of racists who protest in the street while attacking ethnic minorities. Where in the UAE is the BNP (who has been elected into government!!!!!) and the EDL?
So, with this in mind, maybe it would help this debate if we learned a little bit more about your experiences, you have alluded to some, however it could be useful to know more about where you have lived, what language you speak - and yes, even what colour your skin is, why your are so adamant that racial hatred does not exist - at all - in the GCC contrary to many other point of views.
Rather than everyone shouting, I'm happy to listen, but please don't shout as you'll deafen me.
Sep 2nd 2010, 6:34 pm
#111
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: Racism
Ok. One of my takes on racism is that it is very much down to the individual, whether the one propagating the hatred or the one being the target of such racism. If you are called a nigger it doesn't mean that racism is endemic or that it doesn't exist. It does mean that it does exist and it does mean that the recipient has been subjected to hatred and that this should not be explained away, ignored or reasoned out of existence.
So, with this in mind, maybe it would help this debate if we learned a little bit more about your experiences, you have alluded to some, however it could be useful to know more about where you have lived, what language you speak - and yes, even what colour your skin is, why your are so adamant that racial hatred does not exist - at all - in the GCC contrary to many other point of views.
Rather than everyone shouting, I'm happy to listen, but please don't shout as you'll deafen me.
So, with this in mind, maybe it would help this debate if we learned a little bit more about your experiences, you have alluded to some, however it could be useful to know more about where you have lived, what language you speak - and yes, even what colour your skin is, why your are so adamant that racial hatred does not exist - at all - in the GCC contrary to many other point of views.
Rather than everyone shouting, I'm happy to listen, but please don't shout as you'll deafen me.
when's the next BE meet-up? Should be a fun-filled evening!
Sep 2nd 2010, 8:05 pm
#112
If I have to explain...
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Where ever the road takes me
Posts: 3,999
Sep 2nd 2010, 8:22 pm
#113
why ayeeeee man!
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Disco Gardens...
Posts: 11,370
Re: Racism
Isolated, anecdotal, stories of your wife allegedly being the victim of racist abuse by some Emirati doesn't mean the entire society is racist, like some posters on this forum seem to insist (and attack anyone who disagrees with this line). You know, I'm sure your wife (had she still been living in the UK) been called "nigger" by some racists there too. Does that give you the right to blanket accuse the entire country of being racist? And lastly, at least the UAE isn't a country with marauding groups of racists who protest in the street while attacking ethnic minorities. Where in the UAE is the BNP (who has been elected into government!!!!!) and the EDL?
Sep 2nd 2010, 8:46 pm
#114
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,646
Re: Racism
I do hope Romulan/Unmoral comes back and offers his p.o.v.Also I hope he offers some info re his heritage etc.
Auto,Spugsy et autres are posing calm constructive challenges to his assertions.Would be interesting forensic exchanges.
All conducted so far in a gentlemanly manner.
Bring on the discourse.
Auto,Spugsy et autres are posing calm constructive challenges to his assertions.Would be interesting forensic exchanges.
All conducted so far in a gentlemanly manner.
Bring on the discourse.
Sep 4th 2010, 7:26 am
#115
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Racism
Good example of racism in the UK from University of Bristol:
Linky: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/cardservice...d-instructions
Makes puppy angry!
Linky: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/cardservice...d-instructions
Makes puppy angry!
Sep 4th 2010, 8:04 am
#116
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,869
Re: Racism
I don't think even the most arrogant , colonail bastard here (and there are quite a few) has ever said all arabs are racist.
It would be quite stupid to make such a sweeping generalisation. Get the hint?
It would be quite stupid to make such a sweeping generalisation. Get the hint?
Sep 4th 2010, 8:07 am
#117
Go on.. Pull my finger..
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 5,726
Re: Racism
I blame the damnable fuzzy-wuzzy's myself..
Never did know what was bally well good for them, what???
Never did know what was bally well good for them, what???
Sep 5th 2010, 8:04 am
#118
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Re: Racism
Ok. One of my takes on racism is that it is very much down to the individual, whether the one propagating the hatred or the one being the target of such racism. If you are called a nigger it doesn't mean that racism is endemic or that it doesn't exist. It does mean that it does exist and it does mean that the recipient has been subjected to hatred and that this should not be explained away, ignored or reasoned out of existence.
So, with this in mind, maybe it would help this debate if we learned a little bit more about your experiences, you have alluded to some, however it could be useful to know more about where you have lived, what language you speak - and yes, even what colour your skin is, why your are so adamant that racial hatred does not exist - at all - in the GCC contrary to many other point of views.
Rather than everyone shouting, I'm happy to listen, but please don't shout as you'll deafen me.
So, with this in mind, maybe it would help this debate if we learned a little bit more about your experiences, you have alluded to some, however it could be useful to know more about where you have lived, what language you speak - and yes, even what colour your skin is, why your are so adamant that racial hatred does not exist - at all - in the GCC contrary to many other point of views.
Rather than everyone shouting, I'm happy to listen, but please don't shout as you'll deafen me.
I am a black person of East African ancestry. I speak proficient (not fluent) Arabic and I have lived in the middle east for a great portion of my life (not anymore). I have lived both among the expats and the local Arabs. I have never been the victim of any racism, not have I seen any racism demonstrated by the local Arabs towards anyone else. I have seen many Asian people in the Middle East who've risen to prominent roles (in religious and secular roles) and the same could be said Africans. I think Arabs aren't racist, but they simply not too thrilled with folks who don't wish to assimilate into their culture. Many of the Asians and Western expats who move to the Middle East simply try to import their cultures with them, and are in a perpetual state of complaining about the local arab culture ("the call to prayer is too loud, we can't drink alcohol during Ramadan, ect!"). People on this forum need to get off their high horse, because I get the feeling the majority of you have this mindset that you come from a superior or more enlightened culture, and if people continue to have this mindset it will only cause problems.
Sep 5th 2010, 8:28 am
#119
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 537
Re: Racism
So where do you live now (or which area of the world, if you prefer)?
I have been in and out of Dubai over the past few years, and it's only when coming back here after extended periods away that I am struck with how....unintegrated Dubai is.
That being said I am not completely surprised by what Romulan said as it's largely subcontinental Asians that bear the brunt of racism in the Middle East.
I have been in and out of Dubai over the past few years, and it's only when coming back here after extended periods away that I am struck with how....unintegrated Dubai is.
That being said I am not completely surprised by what Romulan said as it's largely subcontinental Asians that bear the brunt of racism in the Middle East.
Sep 5th 2010, 10:01 am
#120
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 361
Re: Racism
So where do you live now (or which area of the world, if you prefer)?
I have been in and out of Dubai over the past few years, and it's only when coming back here after extended periods away that I am struck with how....unintegrated Dubai is.
That being said I am not completely surprised by what Romulan said as it's largely subcontinental Asians that bear the brunt of racism in the Middle East.
I have been in and out of Dubai over the past few years, and it's only when coming back here after extended periods away that I am struck with how....unintegrated Dubai is.
That being said I am not completely surprised by what Romulan said as it's largely subcontinental Asians that bear the brunt of racism in the Middle East.