I've been reading some of the stories here, and found alot of interesting points by people who are either African American or Hispanic. I am Hiapanic, and was much darker before my twenties. I had actually never really experienced racism, until vitiligo pretty much took over my entire body and basically turned me white. I don't even look Hispanic anymore, and people don't believe me, until I start speaking Spanish without accent.
The point of this is that, once my body turned completely white, I started hearing comments that I never heard. People who don't know that I was much darker, would just blurt out racial comments like it was nothing. I would tell this to my friends, and none seemed to really believe me. Also, I noticed how differently I was treated at business functions, or during job interviews. It's a shame that this racism exists, because I was so blind to it in the past. My friend, who is a writer, has often said would like to write an article about my experiences.
Has anyone else ever felt this? It would be interesting to swap stories.
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It certainly doesn't shock me because I'm also Hispanic (Mestizo) & Asian (Chinese). My mom looks very Chinese and my sister looks very Hapa (mixed Asian) but I don't look at all Chinese so people assumed there are no Asian people in the room when they'd make racist comments about Asians. I've always spoken up because I'm proud of my identity! Now, that I'm pale, I was asked for the first time in my life if I was Asian.
I have found that people reacted more negatively to when I was extensively spotted (them having an issue with my Vitiligo) rather than my race/ethnicity.
Hi Sand. I'm also very proud of my heritage, but as i've said before, it's hard for me to voice out, because probably, i'm scared of conflict. Mainly, i don't want to embarass the person saying this. And, unfortunately, alot of the times, people that say these thigns, are people that i work with or for. i though i posted in here, about a time when i was with a manager from work. We were having a happy hour, and among mixed company. Well, she asked me where i live, and when i told her she said it is very "Dark" there. When I asked her what she meant, she said colored people. I was like woooow. Now, the thing of that, is others that were there heard her say it. Two african american guys, myself and another hispanic girl. No one said anything about it at the time. When we returned to work, we had a chat about it, and we were in shock. Her excuse, what that she came from a town where there were not "colored" people, and it was ok. I did not think that anyone thought this behavior was "OK". I hear these kinds of comments from time to time. I think people here at work are more afraid to say things now, because they can hear me talking spanish on the phone sometimes. Interesting eh?
Unfortunately, the longer you stay silent, the more racism progresses. If people don't think you have a problem with it, they'll continue to say things like that. Once you put your foot down and inform them, they'll then be educated about it. Education doesn't necessarily equate progression but at least you've done your part in speaking up.
Don't be afraid to speak up in effort to not embarrass the person who made the comment, they shouldn't talk like that in the first place! Perhaps nobody has ever educated them about it, and it's your turn to do so.
Society has always had a problem with light vs. dark skin. In a society where we spend millions of dollars on tanning products, there is still discrimination, the darker you are! Go figure!
Thank you all for the comments. I really must say, that, "unfortunately", it has opened more doors for me professionally, socially, etc. It is sickening that this is what it takes? Is this a euro world? I can't believe it, after all these years with vitiligo, about 18 years now. I defiintely looked at different when i was going thru the change. I think i got treated the worst during those times. After my skin mostly about 95% turned white, i did start to notice the chnages. They were subtle at first, but looking back, i should have been more aware.I guess i didn't want to believe that racism is so alive today. I thought it was dying and people were genuinely changing. The older i get, i see it more and more. I would certainly like to say things when people make remarks, but then I get scared that it will cause conflict. Does this reflect bad on me? I feel intimated by these racists/bigots. Yet, they all know that i have a hispanic background. So, is it jsut that they don't care? they don't like darker hispanics? A white one is ok? So many questions i have for society.
Yes. You should have heard what some people just blurt out unknowingly. It was an eye opener for me, and keep in mind, that this was in the late 90's, early 2000's, when racism was supposedly stamped out. it's one of these things that i wish i didn't know, but am glad that i do know. I was really oblivious to this going on in every day conversation. dont' get me wrong, i knew that racism was not completely eradicated, but that so many people felt this way, was a complete shock to me. It seems the older the person gets, the worse they are.... Just an observation i've made over the years.
Replies
I have found that people reacted more negatively to when I was extensively spotted (them having an issue with my Vitiligo) rather than my race/ethnicity.
Basil,
Unfortunately, the longer you stay silent, the more racism progresses. If people don't think you have a problem with it, they'll continue to say things like that. Once you put your foot down and inform them, they'll then be educated about it. Education doesn't necessarily equate progression but at least you've done your part in speaking up.
Don't be afraid to speak up in effort to not embarrass the person who made the comment, they shouldn't talk like that in the first place! Perhaps nobody has ever educated them about it, and it's your turn to do so.
Society has always had a problem with light vs. dark skin. In a society where we spend millions of dollars on tanning products, there is still discrimination, the darker you are! Go figure!