On Being Black in China

Re:On Being Black in China by VladRussian2 on Wednesday July 17, 2013 @04:23PM (#6060021)

"how black people are seen" - i don't think it can be answered by one number on the scale from 1 to 10. For example, Russians are pretty racist, nationalistic chauvinistic, antisemitic ... you name it, basically Equal Opportunity Haters ... and there are a lot of disrespectful jokes about black people as well. On the other side - we drank a lot with the black students we had at our University and at other places and the girls liked them as well.

>then find out that your experience there is not going to be like your friend's was.

yep, he may be a cool guy and you're a party pooper or vise verse :)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Being Black in China by auctiontheory on Wednesday July 17, 2013 @04:32PM (#6060057)

Reminds me of this old joke:

A CIA spy is on his first day scouting Moscow. Fluent in Russian, he is confident of blending into the crowd. First, he stops at a store to get an apple. The lady there gives him a big smile, "Morning Mr American, how can I help you?" Shocked, he quietly buys an apple. Next stop, an old lady on a park bench. "Morning ma'am, can I have the time please?" "Sure, Mr American, it's 9.15." He's really worried. Is his disguise that thin? He meets a cop and asks directions. Having received the usual "Certainly Mr American, it's the third block on your left," he asks, "Excuse me, how do you know I'm from the US?" "That's easy," replies the policeman, "you're black."

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Being Black in China by VladRussian2 on Wednesday July 17, 2013 @04:37PM (#6060088)

Yep, many years ago a friend who just moved to VA near Langley was a bit surprised seeing first time a couple of black guys in suits shopping in specialized Russian food store and speaking perfect Russian :)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Being Black in China by pessimizer on Wednesday July 17, 2013 @06:09PM (#6060417)

I'm sure a few linear-esque metrics could be teased out, but yeah, it's more complex than that.

I'm definitely a party pooper:) I'm often suprised by the amount or racism that can be directed at you in places where there aren't any black people to be angry at, though.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:On Being Black in China by VladRussian2 on Wednesday July 17, 2013 @07:34PM (#6060717)

>I'm often suprised by the amount or racism that can be directed at you in places where there aren't any black people to be angry at, though.

Don't mistake xenophobia where the "other" at that given moment and place just happens to be, for example, a black with racism toward blacks.

[ Parent | on HN ]