IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
#121
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
I think there's a few White people here who've had the same in reverse, i.e. people think we're White Americans but when they find out we're British suddenly we're OK!
#126
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
I think there is nothing wrong in wanting to find out about other races skin, hair etc. I think it is a good thing, lucky for me I grew up in London, so I had a very good multi cultural up bringing.
Alot of racism is down to poor education or lack of worldliness. People in poorer areas tend to be less well educated and the aristrocracy tends to lack worldliness or any concept of what the real world is like. In the same vain many people here in the US lack any worldliness. Those people living in their gated utopias have no idea of what lies behind the security guards, only that it's bad, dangerous and probably involves people who don't look like them or speak english well.
On another note I wonder how many other people have say felt what an afro is like. Different races have different kinds of skin and hair. I always wonder how Asian people have such incredibly shiny hair. I have often wondered what it feels like to touch. Unless I go around asking people if I can touch their skin and hair I will probably never know.. and that's unlikely frankly.. I may be a sick and disturbed individual but I am not that weird.. I think... well maybe a bit... I'll be quiet now I do think plain old curiosity does have a part to play in all of this. Curiosity of our fellow man/woman etc.
On another note I wonder how many other people have say felt what an afro is like. Different races have different kinds of skin and hair. I always wonder how Asian people have such incredibly shiny hair. I have often wondered what it feels like to touch. Unless I go around asking people if I can touch their skin and hair I will probably never know.. and that's unlikely frankly.. I may be a sick and disturbed individual but I am not that weird.. I think... well maybe a bit... I'll be quiet now I do think plain old curiosity does have a part to play in all of this. Curiosity of our fellow man/woman etc.
#127
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Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
I have to agree with you on the African - American part, I have experience that as well.
I was born and bred in Africa, educated in England, married & divorced a scotsman, now in US married to an African-American!
I have always gotten to know,accept and participate in the culture of the demographic that I'm living in. My goal is to function appropriately, progress and enjoy that environment.
To throw my 2 cents in, it's presumed I'm African-American until I open my mouth. (have British accent...try not to say much till absolutely necessary!) It doesn't bother me at all. It's actually nice to be able to blend in
Quite frankly, it's also nice to be in a place where there are a lot of successful people who look like you do (US). I have a lot more black friends here who are 'successful' than I did in England.
In England I associated with caucasians more than I did with blacks only because I worked and lived where it was predominantly white. I was fine and happy there too.
I mostly associate with African Americans now, and have 1 Irish-American friend. When she (the Irish-american) has invited me to all-white occasions at her house, I have felt them warm towards me once they discover I'm not African-American.
Race is not really too much of a biggie in my own life, but unfortunately sometimes it does rear its ugly head and can't/mustn't be ignored.
I have always gotten to know,accept and participate in the culture of the demographic that I'm living in. My goal is to function appropriately, progress and enjoy that environment.
To throw my 2 cents in, it's presumed I'm African-American until I open my mouth. (have British accent...try not to say much till absolutely necessary!) It doesn't bother me at all. It's actually nice to be able to blend in
Quite frankly, it's also nice to be in a place where there are a lot of successful people who look like you do (US). I have a lot more black friends here who are 'successful' than I did in England.
In England I associated with caucasians more than I did with blacks only because I worked and lived where it was predominantly white. I was fine and happy there too.
I mostly associate with African Americans now, and have 1 Irish-American friend. When she (the Irish-american) has invited me to all-white occasions at her house, I have felt them warm towards me once they discover I'm not African-American.
Race is not really too much of a biggie in my own life, but unfortunately sometimes it does rear its ugly head and can't/mustn't be ignored.
#128
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,455
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
Asian hair tends to be much stiffer than Whites'.
#129
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
Hello everybody,
I'm a new member of this forum. Just let me introduce myself. I was born in Poland. At age 25 I came to US, After couple years, I married Bengali girl, and we have been together 10 years already.
Based on my personal experience, I could say, that Americans are more open minded to mixed marriages. On couple occasions, European tourists (mostly British), have hard time to accept that kind of relationship. People at restaurants stop eating and cannot take their eyes off. It happened in Florida, Disney World, like in Caribbean Islands.
I'm a new member of this forum. Just let me introduce myself. I was born in Poland. At age 25 I came to US, After couple years, I married Bengali girl, and we have been together 10 years already.
Based on my personal experience, I could say, that Americans are more open minded to mixed marriages. On couple occasions, European tourists (mostly British), have hard time to accept that kind of relationship. People at restaurants stop eating and cannot take their eyes off. It happened in Florida, Disney World, like in Caribbean Islands.
#133
Re: IS EUROPE MORE RACIST THAN AMERICA?
my hair dresser told me she's going to 'train' my hair. Here's how the conversation went:
HD: I'll have to use the really strong relaxer for your type of hair
ME: Oh, yes it actually does need the stronger one. It's pure African hair
HD: I was afraid to say that you had African hair in case you were offended
(this is after I'd told her I was African!)
ME: Oh no go ahead and do what you think is best
HD: You gotta come every 2 weeks so I can train your hair
Bless her she does a brilliant job. She cuts and styles to perfection. (She's African-American by the way!)
HD: I'll have to use the really strong relaxer for your type of hair
ME: Oh, yes it actually does need the stronger one. It's pure African hair
HD: I was afraid to say that you had African hair in case you were offended
(this is after I'd told her I was African!)
ME: Oh no go ahead and do what you think is best
HD: You gotta come every 2 weeks so I can train your hair
Bless her she does a brilliant job. She cuts and styles to perfection. (She's African-American by the way!)