posted September 19, 2004 09:53 AM         

Actually, about the topic at hand, I was talking to a patron the other day, who was black, and he was asking me about America. He was asking because he had gone on a trip there and spent a year travelling around, up the east coast, across Canada, and down the west coast to LA, then flew to Australia. He said he liked it, the people were nice (he was convinced it was because of his accent), but that he felt America wasn't as liberal as he thought it would be. He said he never saw inter-racial couples walking down the street holding hands, and that in some places he felt as though people were looking at him queerly. He said he loved New England, the Boston area particularly, and San Francisco, but he wasn't impressed with the way he constantly felt like he was being watched. I have to admit, I was a little bothered by that. I guess I kind of thought America was better than that, too.

I sort of felt ashamed, even though it has nothing to do with me personally, but to have somebody bring that up specifically when talking about their trip to America, it must have really left a bad taste in his mouth.

posted September 20, 2004 01:08 PM         

"Why not learn 'MY' language, and why give me those looks and why ignore me when you pass by, man, Is that necessary, couldn't you at least acknowledge me or something?
I don't know man. There are some peoples that do keep to themselves because the obligations and rules of their culture/religion are so heavy and stringent that it would be hard to mix and some interaction would not even be inkeeping with some of the tenets of their religion. I don't know about the rest of it though, it could be fear because when you are in a different culture you could be scared of being vulnerable so you show the tough side first. Also, in most cultures women are subservient and have a bunch of limitations on what they can and can't do and it would scandalous for them to interact; sometimes even to say hello and the men don't want to mix because they can't have strange people, especially men around their wives because it is unseemly so why even bother to make friends that you can't socialize properly with?
I don't know why the meanness.

posted September 22, 2004 11:42 PM         

It is sad to hear about the man who visited the US. I have many friends that are from Europe that now live here or lived here while getting an education and they too have had the same response.

I understand about the differences in culture/religion and always make sure that I do not offend anyone if it can be helped. (More that once I have said or done the wrong thing and thank God they understood and laughed it off)

What I cannot understand is the attitude that some of these people have. They segragate themselves and then complain that they are not treated the same. It hurts them and the rest of us.

True Story:

posted September 23, 2004 01:41 PM         

We all made new friends in the playground. My best friend after only a few hours, was a little girl called Samruthi from Pakistan. I had noticed Samruthi's skin was slightly different to mine, but it was barely noticeable. She also spoke a little differently and sometimes I had to listen extra carefully, but that was barely noticeable too.

That was until we sat down behind our brand new desks and faced the dumbest teacher I have in ever met in my entire 45 years of life.

She thought it important to remind us all of our differences, our class, race, privileges, habits. She spoke about the way we dressed, the food we ate and worse still, pointed out poor Samruthi as an example of someone who came from a country where most people had no proper restrooms. I can only imagine the indignity poor Samruthi felt as all eyes were upon her. Now we knew for sure she was different, we looked at her differently, and she sure as hell felt different.

No one had ever taught me that I was superior before. I'm sure no one had ever taught Samruthi such a good lesson on inferiority either. One minute we were friends and the same. Half a hour later, she was as the teacher put it, 'Colored' I was 'White' and now Samruthi was somehow alien to us. My friend Samruthi had to endure the ignominy of 'special treatment' because she was different. I always secretly smiled at the fact her last name was Taylor.

I don't believe in special treatment. I believe it causes that which it is meant to abhor.

posted September 23, 2004 02:23 PM         

quote:

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I don't know about the rest of it though, it could be fear because when you are in a different culture you could be scared of being vulnerable so you show the tough side first.

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