Hong Kong tops the most intolerant of other races list

[solidops]

While I'm not denying there is discrimination against Asian-Americans, I am a HK-born brown guy and I experience lots of discrimination at all levels here, and I notice it a lot more now that I speak Cantonese. People clearing their throats, coughing, using racial slurs, all kinds of stuff when I walk by. I've been looked over for jobs and even told I'm of a lower class than white people, simply because of my race.

Look I think being discriminated against sucks, but Hong Kong is pretty tame.

You said you were HK born. Have you lived anywhere else in your life? Have you experienced racism in other countries?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/ma...tivated-police

I have never, ever heard of a case of racially motivated violence in Hong Kong against brown people which proved to be fatal. I have never heard of any Sikh or Hindu temples being burned down because some dumbass thought they were related to the 9/11 attacks.

Has racism ever gotten so bad for you in Hong Kong that you had to demonstrate against it? Well, for ethnically Chinese in India, they have: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-e...cle3466554.ece



And as for Mr. Barma - do you think Indian politicians would let some Chinese guy hold power in India? Especially given the nepotism in Indian politics? I don't think so.

Hong Kong really never had time to develop as a multi-cultural society. Because the first time Hong Kong became "multi-cultural", it was the English, who did all sorts of terrible things to us Chinese. Before that, Hong Kong was just some fishing port. Where do you see "developing as a multi-cultural society" fall into place amidst all of this?

[solidops]

He's obviously got a foot in both cultures but more in hk I suppose as he speaks the local language and looks Chinese. Probably couldn't hack it in Australia and had to move here.

I'm sure he has seen his fair share of discrimination and racism against him in Australia.

Sent from somewhere....

True. Judging by his good English, use of word like 'buddy' and references to education he seems to have spent a fair bit of his time out of HK.

I'm guessing his english is much better than his canto, much to his annoyance...

How many posts did it take for you numbnuts to fully realize I could speak english? Y

[justjoe86]

How many posts did it take for you numbnuts to fully realize I could speak english? Y

You seem more American than Australian though. I'm thinking fictional troll alert.

[jayinhongkong]

Look I think being discriminated against sucks, but Hong Kong is pretty tame.

I agree with you, it is relatively tame, but there's a lot of room for change. How'd you like to be called 'chink' every day?

You said you were HK born. Have you lived anywhere else in your life? Have you experienced racism in other countries?

Yes, I lived in the US for quite a while and I've traveled extensively around the world. There is definitely a lot of racism in the US, even in NYC. I'm not disputing that. I did 'blend in' a lot better in NYC than I do here though, which helped greatly. I realized telling people I was from HK could be a bad idea as it was too much for a lot of New Yorkers to handle. lol.

That, however, doesn't take away from the fact that I shouldn't have to deal with racism almost every single day here in HK.

I have never, ever heard of a case of racially motivated violence in Hong Kong against brown people which proved to be fatal. I have never heard of any Sikh or Hindu temples being burned down because some dumbass thought they were related to the 9/11 attacks.

You're right, that has never happened. Up until the handover Indians were heavily involved in HK law enforcement, and several died for HK, even during the riots of the 60s, but we still get treated like second-class citizens, even if there isn't any racial violence. Still, it's no fun being treated like you're automatically less worthy/stink/poor/of a lower class because of your ethnicity.

Has racism ever gotten so bad for you in Hong Kong that you had to demonstrate against it? Well, for ethnically Chinese in India, they have: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-e...cle3466554.ece

I'm not denying racism exists in India. My mom grew up in Calcutta and they used to make fun of the Chinese growing up. I was mortified when she told me what her and her siblings got up to, and told her that's exactly the kind of thing I have to deal with here. I realize the Chinese in India have it just as bad (or worse) than Indian people here, that's for sure. I've met some Indian-Chinese people here and in Europe and they speak better Hindi than I do!

One thing I have noticed is speaking Cantonese in the US or Europe gets me a lot of love from the Chinese community. I get free dishes at restaurants and the inside scoop on things.

I will never forget seeing two Africans sitting at a roadside eatery in Mumbai in the 80s. I was just a kid, but I could see all the nasty looks these two men were getting from all angles, when they were just trying to have a meal. I felt angry and ashamed at the way they were being treated. The memory is so strong I can still see the scene in my head. I must have been seven or eight.

And as for Mr. Barma - do you think Indian politicians would let some Chinese guy hold power in India? Especially given the nepotism in Indian politics? I don't think so.

No, probably not, but again, as others have pointed out, just because things are worse elsewhere, that doesn't mean there's no room for improvement here in HK. Admittedly I have relatives who are half-HK Chinese and Cantonese, so it's not all bad, and I've dated plenty of HK girls.

Hong Kong really never had time to develop as a multi-cultural society. Because the first time Hong Kong became "multi-cultural", it was the English, who did all sorts of terrible things to us Chinese. Before that, Hong Kong was just some fishing port. Where do you see "developing as a multi-cultural society" fall into place amidst all of this?

HK has been a somewhat multicultural society since 1847. There have been sepoys and foreign businessmen here along with the British, and HK was a regular stop for the US Navy during the Vietnam War, when my dad moved here. Admittedly the HK Chinese are far from the worst offenders as far as actual discrimination goes.

One thing I have learned is locals love to play little games with each other to one-up on each other. The stuff many locals do to each other every day would be considered childish other places. HK seems to pride itself on rudeness. Forget the docile, polite nature of Asian culture, HKers derive great pleasure from making other people look bad. I was surprised to see the same kind of thing in Austria earlier this year. I speak German and got a lot of racist comments thrown my way right in the heart of Vienna.

Of course in every society there are GREAT people along with the turds. As I've said before on here, HK people are absolutely amazing if you're part of the 'in group' and will really do anything for you, and their generosity and real care for you is in complete contrast to the way people who don't know each other treat each other here. Chinese (and HK) culture is very interesting, and I wish I'd learned how things worked earlier. I definitely grew up in an expat bubble, courtesy of my neighborhood, ESF schools and frequent travel out of the territory. While I had a fair number of Chinese friends, most of them weren't very 'HK,' and almost all of them were born overseas.

[usehername]

You seem more American than Australian though. I'm thinking fictional troll alert.

he's just a kid who watches too much american tv when he should be doing his homework.

[solidops]

I agree with you, it is relatively tame, but there's a lot of room for change. How'd you like to be called 'chink' every day?

There's always room for change I agree. And if I was called that everyday I would get mad. Then it would turn into violence. So I think you've been taking it well so far.

Yes, I lived in the US for quite a while and I've traveled extensively around the world. There is definitely a lot of racism in the US, even in NYC. I'm not disputing that. I did 'blend in' a lot better in NYC than I do here though, which helped greatly. I realized telling people I was from HK could be a bad idea as it was too much for a lot of New Yorkers to handle. lol.

Then we have something in common. Definitely lots of racism in NYC but I agree I blended in fine. Especially in Queens, lots of Asians there. NYC is lightyears ahead in terms of diversity compared to the Mid-West. What borough did you live in?

You're right, that has never happened. Up until the handover Indians were heavily involved in HK law enforcement, and several died for HK, even during the riots of the 60s, but we still get treated like second-class citizens, even if there isn't any racial violence. Still, it's no fun being treated like you're automatically less worthy/stink/poor/of a lower class because of your ethnicity.

I agree, Indians have a good history in Hong Kong even if they are discriminated against. My dad used to be in the royal police force, and he would tell during his cadet days there would be an "indian" day at the cafeteria and there would always be lots of good curry. He still tells me this story every time we have curry.

One thing I have noticed is speaking Cantonese in the US or Europe gets me a lot of love from the Chinese community. I get free dishes at restaurants and the inside scoop on things.

I will never forget seeing two Africans sitting at a roadside eatery in Mumbai in the 80s. I was just a kid, but I could see all the nasty looks these two men were getting from all angles, when they were just trying to have a meal. I felt angry and ashamed at the way they were being treated. The memory is so strong I can still see the scene in my head. I must have been seven or eight.

Speaking cantonese with us lets us know you're one of us, peng yau. Overseas Chinese would be elated to know someone else speaks their language.

Those two Africans may have been getting nasty looks, but at least they weren't hung in public and they were allowed to eat in the same place as everyone else. I agree Chinese and Indians might be intolerant, but we've never taken it as far as Westerners have.

HK has been a somewhat multicultural society since 1847. There have been sepoys and foreign businessmen here along with the British, and HK was a regular stop for the US Navy during the Vietnam War, when my dad moved here. Admittedly the HK Chinese are far from the worst offenders as far as actual discrimination goes.

Well it was multicultural in the sense that everyone had a reason to be there and was only temporary and not truly a "multicultural" society in the sense Singapore was. Hong Kong is a port city, no doubt it would have a few "outsiders"

One thing I have learned is locals love to play little games with each other to one-up on each other. The stuff many locals do to each other every day would be considered childish other places. HK seems to pride itself on rudeness. Forget the docile, polite nature of Asian culture, HKers derive great pleasure from making other people look bad.

I couldn't agree more, Hong Kongers LOVE their passive aggressiveness. They won't directly confront you on it but they'll find a way to get you back. You should see how Hong Kongers drive. Oh you want to merge into my lane because we're going in the Cross-harbor tunnel? Too bad, not on my watch! Hong Kongers (or Asians in general) LOVE to one-up each other.

I was surprised to see the same kind of thing in Austria earlier this year. I speak German and got a lot of racist comments thrown my way right in the heart of Vienna.

This is the kind of people I imagine to be expats in Hong Kong. Racist (or secretly) in their own countries, and when they receive the same treatment they're very vocal about it. If I was the one being discriminated against in Vienna I'd be regretful I learned their language. Guess you can never take the Nazi out of them.

Of course in every society there are GREAT people along with the turds. As I've said before on here, HK people are absolutely amazing if you're part of the 'in group' and will really do anything for you, and their generosity and real care for you is in complete contrast to the way people who don't know each other treat each other here. Chinese (and HK) culture is very interesting, and I wish I'd learned how things worked earlier. I definitely grew up in an expat bubble, courtesy of my neighborhood, ESF schools and frequent travel out of the territory. While I had a fair number of Chinese friends, most of them weren't very 'HK,' and almost all of them were born overseas.

Oh you attended an ESF school? I know lots of people that went to one. It's true, Hong Kong people are really nice when you're part of the group "mai dui".

I'm sorry you had to deal with racism in Hong Kong, Indians have done no wrong to Hong Kong and I think it's a shame someone like you has to deal with this on a daily basis. Maybe if more Hong Kongers would try chicken makhani with biryani rice and garlic naan they would be more tolerant to Indians.

[jayinhongkong]

Manhattan, Queens and Nassau County. Things are definitely loosening up here, but it's a slow process.

Not all locals can handle Indian food--the spices can be a little too exotic for many.

[MovingIn07]

...because I am Chinese Australian?



You think being violently attacked by multiple attackers on basis of race to be worse than passive aggressive racism? That's just being disrespectful and dumb.

The argument that "racism is racism" is seriously flawed. Being called a bunch of names, ignored on the street (racism towards whites in HK) is different than being held back from job positions, having a negative image and being stereotyped like Asians have to face in the West.

"Racism is racism" is unbelievably stupid and misinformed. That's like saying a punch from a two year old is the same from Mike Tyson because "a punch is a punch". You're making a blanket statement over something that varies so much between individuals. You're showing that you do not understand and have not experienced intolerance and racism in your life.



Your responses are getting tired. Making copout statements that have no relation to this thread does not a good argument make. Just stop.

You are making really weird arguments. Do you not realise how pervasive the anti-brown racisms is in HK or do you just not care? I havn't seen anyone here worrying about anti-white racism in HK.

[usehername]

According to solidops you shouldn't care about racism against any other race but your own because it doesn't affect you.

Presumably he would apply the same logic to child abuse, sex trafficking, animal cruelty etc

Let's hope for his sake that by the time he reaches adulthood he will have grown up.

[Creative83]

Most discrimination I see here are towards Mainlander and brown people. What I also do see is Indians typically do not feel victimized by it. Mainlander, when they sense it, will fight back. At first, I perceive Indians here as generally more enlightened, but I also wonder if it has anything to do with just not trying to escalate and worsen the situation.

Locals have more experience with Filipinos, so I wouldn't know how much of it is dislike due to bad experience versus actual discrimination. One thing for sure is locals and brown people don't socialize with each other, so there's no way for them to get to know each other to begin with.

There's once a half Chinese half Indian guy in his early 20s who tells me his dad (Indian) told him about the hierarchy of skin color, and it goes from dark to light - light being the higher class. I thought about what his dad said and agreed that's how the world seem to perceive it.

He got quite offended by my acknowledgement though I'm merely just acknowledging how things are in fact being perceived. I'm guessing the younger the person is, the more they'll want to fight it.