No, I do understand the divide, and, to an extent, how people can make allowances for themselves. There are degrees of racism, and obviously someone who just doesn't understand their privilege and who have misconceptions about other races based solely on skin colour are not as bad as people who are overtly racist.
To me, one of the things that's surprised me as been people's reaction to me, even, not as a member of a different race, but as a foreigner. I get a lot of "You have to talk our way, you're in our country now!" whenever I say something different. While that's obviously not a huge drama and while people are usually joking, I still find it a little appalling that the words ever come out of anyone's mouth. When there were Australian students at my school in Canada, people just didn't say that. They like hearing the accent, sure, but it was more like "Say tomato!" more than it was "Say it our way!"
See, I don't know if I'd say that being unaware of an uneven playing field is is a form of racism. There are certainly people who are actively uneducated, but I don't think you're one of them.
that's an interesting progression. i wonder how much of it is the area you are in and how much is recent history, and public talks of **immigrants *assimilating etc, cos when i was at school we loved people with accents and would have been very much 'say tomato! and MOM'. sorry you haven't had the best time with that.
See, I don't know if I'd say that being unaware of an uneven playing field is is a form of racism.
well, it's basically white privilege, which at its core is a racist thing. it was a real revelation to me, to come to that understanding and has really affected a lot of the way i live life ever since.
and i find examples of my lack of understanding all the time. and that's not a self judging thing. more (i think/hope) just being aware.
*what is ironic is that australians cluster together when they live overseas, but don't recognise peoples' need to do the same when they come here.
**and also the fact that basically, except for the indigenous communities we're ALL immigrants. *sigh*
I think a lot of it is probably recent history. But what's even more interesting about living in Canberra and dealing with this kind of stuff is the fact that it's supposed to be a very multicultural place, because it's the capitol and it's full of diplomats, but even the way diplomats are viewed is kind of...not horribly negative (unless it comes to driving, and then there's a stigma) but not really favourable, either. I don't quite understand it.
Okay, I grant you - there are definitely moments where I find myself being incredibly...not prejudiced, but more lacking in understanding. And I am trying to do everything I can to change that, though I recognize that many people are not.
To me, one of the things that's surprised me as been people's reaction to me, even, not as a member of a different race, but as a foreigner. I get a lot of "You have to talk our way, you're in our country now!" whenever I say something different. While that's obviously not a huge drama and while people are usually joking, I still find it a little appalling that the words ever come out of anyone's mouth. When there were Australian students at my school in Canada, people just didn't say that. They like hearing the accent, sure, but it was more like "Say tomato!" more than it was "Say it our way!"
See, I don't know if I'd say that being unaware of an uneven playing field is is a form of racism. There are certainly people who are actively uneducated, but I don't think you're one of them.
I love rambly comments, don't even worry!
Reply
See, I don't know if I'd say that being unaware of an uneven playing field is is a form of racism.
well, it's basically white privilege, which at its core is a racist thing. it was a real revelation to me, to come to that understanding and has really affected a lot of the way i live life ever since.
and i find examples of my lack of understanding all the time. and that's not a self judging thing. more (i think/hope) just being aware.
*what is ironic is that australians cluster together when they live overseas, but don't recognise peoples' need to do the same when they come here.
**and also the fact that basically, except for the indigenous communities we're ALL immigrants. *sigh*
♥
Reply
Okay, I grant you - there are definitely moments where I find myself being incredibly...not prejudiced, but more lacking in understanding. And I am trying to do everything I can to change that, though I recognize that many people are not.
♥
Reply
Leave a comment