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Aquiring asiaphobia + stereotypes
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| Lira |
Since I was born, I used to know foreigners, and realised that this nationality/ethnicity thing doesn't really matter, as we're all the same inside (not to mention that Brazil is a multi-cultural country and even I am mixed blooded to extreme levels :D). However, a funny thing has been happening lately.
Back in 2002, I was studying to get into foreign affairs and a close friend of mine was studying Japanese language and culture (jlc). As I entered university, I realised that jlc could be quite an add-on for international affairs (the embassy gives students many scholarships and opportunities to improve their knowledge), so I decided to take both courses. Meanwhile, I became friends with two japanese-blooded guys (Goro and Yoshimitsu) who started to invite me to parties in the colony (Brazil's got the largest japanese community overseas, mind you).
It was nice: people were very friendly and polite, it was a safe place to be at night (I could even sleep over) and they were more attached to Brazilian culture than I was (I learnt to listen to Rio Funk and play berimbau with them) so I never saw them as asians whatsoever. After a while, I started to make more friends there and I had this opportunity to study for 5 years in japan because of a scholarship. Automatically, people started to see me as an otaku though (and I hardly watch animes :p).
I couldn't care less about what people thought of me, but here's the annoying part: now, whenever I receive gifts (Christmas, Birthday,...) I always receive japanese things (like Kanjis to hang on the wall and some zen stuff I couldn't find use for), people only speak to me about Japanese things (no matter how much I try to change the subject) and my girlfriend (who studies jlc with me) was a bit afraid when I went drinking with my friends and half of them were Japanese (she thought I was obsessed with Asian girls for whatever reason). I still see these people as Brazilian (because they actually are :D), but lately I feel extremely shy whenever I'm the only European blooded person in a place (like in a seminar I attended this weekend about moralogy), or when I do something related to their culture... I'm slowly losing this shyness again (heck, some of those guys are the best friends I've ever had, why would I stop hanging out with them?) but I must say it really sucks when people judge you by some label.
They're not different, I couldn't care less about their ethnicity but people insist to see me as a wapanese who doesn't like anything "western". Why didn't it happen when I had a Russian girlfriend!? Why don't they see me as an "electronic music addict" if this is the easiest thing to notice? Why do people have to label you? :( Or am I being too harsh on people?
I guess this is my first official rant here :cool: |
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| beema |
People are stupid. Plain and simple.
You aren't doing anything wrong, and you are enjoying yourself. Who gives a what they think. If people think you are trying to be Japanese, let them. As long as you know inside yourself who you are, and what you want to do.
Unless of course, you do want to become Japanese... :happy2: |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by beema
Unless of course, you do want to become Japanese... :happy2: |
:eek:
I think I'm turning japanese
I think I'm turning japanese
when I think so :D
Nah, just because I like one thing it doesn't mean I will ignore everything else ;)
Besides, da truth iz I always wanted to be blak, coz me batty geeza iz blak, but I iz pale, an' iz da fittest daddy hout dere :p
(in case you're wondering, my mother is white, reason why I didn't get much of my father's melanine :p) |
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| jdat |
I can totally relate with people's ignorance .
I'm french american and I've lived in France Usa and some other odd countries. And I always get questionned by people about who I am. People are so nosey and they want to ask you anything they possibly can and they'll stereotype to the max. WHO CARES!
I just stopped caring and if they want to think stupid things let them.
I say don't let it get to you. Just be yourself. And if needs be let people know that they're "bothering" you. |
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| Tranc3 |
| Racism, on as low a level as this may be, is deeply ingrained into all of our cultures, and there's simply no getting around it. I can think of a few solutions to your problem, however, none of them are, shall we say, tactful. Not in the least. |
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| smallSHEEP |
| Everyone wants to sterotype people into conformist boxes when they first meet them. It helps to identify the traits that they look for in friends, partners etc. You do it too, it's an unconcious thing that we all automatically do. You just have to make a special point of showing people that you don't nesseserily conform to their conventions when you first meet them. I'm sure they'll find you a more interesting and rounded individual as a result. :) |
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| Omegasox |
I'm sorry to hear that bro. Aside from what you can do to help the stereotyping, I say just stick to what you enjoy and don't conform to something just because they want you to.
I'm big into Eastern culture myself and a lot of my friends don't understand it, but thankfully they don't give me any for it. Except sometimes, just to be s. ;) |
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| Lira |
Thanks for the replies.
I've been giving it a thought and, after reading your posts, I guess I know how to solve this small problem.
:) |
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| Cal |
just dress like 
..and youll be fine |
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| Radagast |
| I'm still wondering why it's the trend nowadays to acquire Asiaphilia + Racism. |
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| biznology |
maybe thats why i study Swedish - you never run into them or only do so very rarely, so no one can accuse you of anything.
well i guess your gf can get worried when you study there - but that worked out alright|:D |
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