Discrimination against Colour ...when will it end?
Before you read this, you should know I mean no offense to anyone. I am not saying all people are the same but sadly a large number of people like this do exist and it’s the world today, you can’t runaway and deny racism – unfortunately it is all over the place.
When I say my family is in Australia, the first thing many people ask is “Why? With all the racist attacks there, is it safe?” Well get this, we (my family) have never experienced any racism there and I would hands down say – we’ve witnessed racial discrimination in Dubai rather than Australia. From vacancy adverts asking only for “Westerners” to priority given in certain stores only if you are “white skinned”, what more is there to be said. I am sure I’d get a hike in my salary if I lightened my skin tone, add a twang to my accent and change my passport. That’s all it takes to impress some of the people here. It doesn’t matter if I aced my degree score, have tons of work experience or simply fit perfectly for the role.
- It’s racist when the sales guy ignores you but has the time to attend to the “fair skinned” people.
- It’s racist when there is a long queue but someone lets the “white” person jump to the front
- It’s racist when two white ladies in the metro need a special invitation to get a seat and can’t run like the others and end up blaming two other “Asian” ladies for not giving up their seat for them…I reckon they shouldn’t ride the metro then, take your Rolls Royce your highness!! (total heights huh, the women they blamed were my sister & I – unfortunately I didn’t have time to tell them off as I was in hurry and had to get off at the station)
- It’s racist when at a bar two ladies yet again complain about the growing number of “Indians” at the place knowing very well an Indian was standing next to them.
- It’s racist when you find the ideal job match but the requirements mention you need to hold an American, Canadian, European or British passport.
- It’s racist when a DJ who is a “Wannabe white” asks the only table with Asians to shush because they were talking too loud…and it was in A SPORTS BAR!! A bar? Who doesn’t talk in a pub?
These are just a few of the incidents some of my friends or I have faced here, I could quote many more but the list would be rather long. Well, no one might be stabbed or murdered like in Australia (which I still believe is not because of racism but probably other issues). Although you are not directly affected, I would say discrimination against colour here is quite steep. Just being brown skinned is not good enough to some people – Colour and accent matter more.
We all belong to one race – the Human race. As far as I know, it’s not coloured. I pray God would come soon and teach theses ill mannered souls a lesson.
When I say my family is in Australia, the first thing many people ask is “Why? With all the racist attacks there, is it safe?” Well get this, we (my family) have never experienced any racism there and I would hands down say – we’ve witnessed racial discrimination in Dubai rather than Australia. From vacancy adverts asking only for “Westerners” to priority given in certain stores only if you are “white skinned”, what more is there to be said. I am sure I’d get a hike in my salary if I lightened my skin tone, add a twang to my accent and change my passport. That’s all it takes to impress some of the people here. It doesn’t matter if I aced my degree score, have tons of work experience or simply fit perfectly for the role.
- It’s racist when the sales guy ignores you but has the time to attend to the “fair skinned” people.
- It’s racist when there is a long queue but someone lets the “white” person jump to the front
- It’s racist when two white ladies in the metro need a special invitation to get a seat and can’t run like the others and end up blaming two other “Asian” ladies for not giving up their seat for them…I reckon they shouldn’t ride the metro then, take your Rolls Royce your highness!! (total heights huh, the women they blamed were my sister & I – unfortunately I didn’t have time to tell them off as I was in hurry and had to get off at the station)
- It’s racist when at a bar two ladies yet again complain about the growing number of “Indians” at the place knowing very well an Indian was standing next to them.
- It’s racist when you find the ideal job match but the requirements mention you need to hold an American, Canadian, European or British passport.
- It’s racist when a DJ who is a “Wannabe white” asks the only table with Asians to shush because they were talking too loud…and it was in A SPORTS BAR!! A bar? Who doesn’t talk in a pub?
These are just a few of the incidents some of my friends or I have faced here, I could quote many more but the list would be rather long. Well, no one might be stabbed or murdered like in Australia (which I still believe is not because of racism but probably other issues). Although you are not directly affected, I would say discrimination against colour here is quite steep. Just being brown skinned is not good enough to some people – Colour and accent matter more.
We all belong to one race – the Human race. As far as I know, it’s not coloured. I pray God would come soon and teach theses ill mannered souls a lesson.
That is so true Ginelle!! I couldnt agree with you more, you have echoed my exact thoughts..
ReplyDeleteIts so unfair and I am sure most of us have gone through atleast a couple of these situation that you have mentioned...it really does make you think what in reality is more valuable..personal skills & knowledge or your skin pigmentation!!!! With immense respect to Michael Jackson, but it does matter if you are "black or white" !!!!