Racism where I live

Discussion in 'Race Relations' started by Greenleft, Aug 18, 2018.

  1. Greenleft

    Greenleft Well-Known Member

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    In my country and more specifically the province where I live here in Indonesia, we have racism, but not the kind where people are at a disadvantage of safety, employment discrimination or racial segregation. Being ethnically mixed, I've never personally experienced racism off the Internet, although sometimes I get a preferential treatment where people practice their English when talking to me.

    Believe it or not, sometimes there is a benign form of racism that is actually flattering. But if you live with it for many years, it becomes increasingly annoying. It's actually reverse racism against ourselves. We put white tourists on a pedestal and for whatever reason think they are better than us.

    When white tourists go through town, they are met by little children shouting "bule! bule!" which means white person. Adults will call out to them saying "Hello mister" or "Good morning". The reason they are doing this is because they are excited that tourists find their neighborhood worthy enough for a visit. Often people here will ask for a photo with tourists.

    When you live here your whole life as an expat, it becomes an unpleasant part of living here. My father who is white, whenever he is going through town, if somebody calls out "hello mister" he stops and speaks to them in the native language saying he is a citizen of this country (which he is).

    I find this attitude very odd as we Indonesians are otherwise a very proud people. Why should we look up to people of a different race? Tourists of other races are treated with no patronizing.

    Understand this: we have no hatred of other races and cultures. We only have a problem with our own self worth.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
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  2. Toefoot

    Toefoot Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Interesting point of view. How old and traveled are you?
     
  3. Greenleft

    Greenleft Well-Known Member

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    I'm 33 and have traveled to dozens of countries in my life. Most of them in Asia and Europe (long list). Three in the Americas, one in Africa and I've been to Australia and New Zealand.
     
  4. Toefoot

    Toefoot Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Thanks. Do you see this trait with all generations or is it less subtle with the younger/older people?

    Is it white people or the association of money related to being a white tourist?
     
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  5. Lil Mike

    Lil Mike Well-Known Member

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    Interesting observation.

    I guess I would ask, how much of the typical Indonesian's view of the world outside their country based on American/European TV and movies? If your primary view of white people are in action movies, doesn't it make sense that they would be viewed a little larger than life?
     
  6. Greenleft

    Greenleft Well-Known Member

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    Well... I see it more with younger people. Middle aged and elderly people are more reluctant to show off their broken English.

    I suppose it's to do with the fact that being a white tourist means they think they have more money. They don't think about the fact that most middle and working class folks from those far away countries cannot afford to travel. And even then, most tourists are budget backpackers staying in hostels.

    Possibly.

    As I said, at first it can be flattering, but after a while it just feels wrong.
     
  7. Empress

    Empress Well-Known Member

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    People naturally prefer their own.

    When it comes down to the arguments over "racism" it boils down to this: Minorities are ticked off they don't live in a society that looks like them and thinks like them. What they need is to live among their own and stop whining when they live elsewhere in a society that resembles another group.
     
  8. Meta777

    Meta777 Moderator Staff Member

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    Let me guess... you didn't read the OP... did you
     
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  9. Empress

    Empress Well-Known Member

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    I did. I'm referring to the root cause of the complaints of racism, and that's the root.
     
  10. delade

    delade Well-Known Member

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    -In my country and more specifically the province where I live here in Indonesia, we have racism, but not the kind where people are at a disadvantage of safety, employment discrimination or racial segregation.
    -My father who is white, whenever he is going through town


    Which province is this that you speak about where your dad is 'white'? Did you just move there? What language do they, The Indonesians, speak as their primary Language?

    Were you born in Indonesia? Did your dad and mom always live in Indonesia?

    With you being part Indonesian, does this hold true for yourself, also? "We put white tourists on a pedestal and for whatever reason think they are better than us."
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  11. Greenleft

    Greenleft Well-Known Member

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    My Dad is originally Dutch. He became a citizen of this country. I've lived here my whole life, but was born in The Netherlands. Here people speak two languages: the local tongue which every island or region have, and the national language of Bahasa Indonesia which is a variation of Malay.

    For myself, it's a hit and miss. Some people recognize I look different, sometimes I blend in. I'm ethnically ambiguous.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  12. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It's common in many Asian countries. Asian culture has a sense of self-superiority, yet simultaneously idolizes the white man. It's more of a whimsical idolization though.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
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  13. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    is that racism or that they do this because they are outsiders and they know they bring money into the town, many towns cater to tourist, especially if they look and act like tourists
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  14. Greenleft

    Greenleft Well-Known Member

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    If they ACT like tourists, I could understand that. Say they arrive on a tour bus, carry cameras and backpacks and wear Hawaiian shirts and shorts then yes, that would call for the 'be nice to the guest' routine. But they should not have a patronizing attitude otherwise just because of pigmentation or lack of it.
     

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