Well, after the recent arrest of the Harvard Professor, the significance of racial differences in the American society has come under scrutiny once again. After a Black man took over the throne in United States of America, the whole world was looking forward to a changed America and Americans. Looks like very little has changed.
Race still plays an important role in how the Americans tend to judge another. The color of your skin is gonna convey how they intend to react towards you. That was how life for many, has been and will still be if the remaining citizens choose not to break racial barriers and stick to their narrow principles that were cultivated over the years.
If you guys voted for a black man as a President in the hope for a change then you will have to change the way you relate in your everyday lives as well. Your leader is a black man and you find your black neighbour suspicious? Doesn't say much about your developed country.
Sabine Charles is married to a black man and lives in Hyde Park. Her experience is one of the many situations that still exist in modern day America. People have often approached her with "Is this man bothering you?", referring to her husband. Even in a decent neighborhood it seems when black kids are spotted whites begin to freak out without even entertaining the idea that they could possibly live there. (courtesy of International Herald Tribune)
My friends from America often mention how its depressing to see some of the Americans being extremely ignorant to the world around them besides where they live in.But now, it seems they are clearly not aware of the developments in the very nation they live in. Not all blacks or every other minority race live in the ghettos.
There was once this girl from California who asked this fella sitting beside where he was from. He replied Singapore. And she just had to say " so you speak Singaporean?" -_-
Race still plays an important role in how the Americans tend to judge another. The color of your skin is gonna convey how they intend to react towards you. That was how life for many, has been and will still be if the remaining citizens choose not to break racial barriers and stick to their narrow principles that were cultivated over the years.
If you guys voted for a black man as a President in the hope for a change then you will have to change the way you relate in your everyday lives as well. Your leader is a black man and you find your black neighbour suspicious? Doesn't say much about your developed country.
Sabine Charles is married to a black man and lives in Hyde Park. Her experience is one of the many situations that still exist in modern day America. People have often approached her with "Is this man bothering you?", referring to her husband. Even in a decent neighborhood it seems when black kids are spotted whites begin to freak out without even entertaining the idea that they could possibly live there. (courtesy of International Herald Tribune)
My friends from America often mention how its depressing to see some of the Americans being extremely ignorant to the world around them besides where they live in.But now, it seems they are clearly not aware of the developments in the very nation they live in. Not all blacks or every other minority race live in the ghettos.
There was once this girl from California who asked this fella sitting beside where he was from. He replied Singapore. And she just had to say " so you speak Singaporean?" -_-
Well change will not happen so soon, it will take time!! As far as discrimination is concerned it can never be removed anywhere be it a developed or developing country. Its these factors u see that keeps the politics of every nation alive. You have some disturbing elements in the society who will always do this.
ReplyDeleteSo if we look at the situations in developing countries n compare it with developed countries i think the developing countries are far better and adjusting to the changes as dont forget that they have to yet reach that stage where the developed nation is. So the response to stimuli is better in developing countries..its only that the powerful developed nation try to pin point each n every mistake of that nation n cover all their unethical activities.
Lol..never heard of a lang called Singaporean!!!
Yeah Americans tend to be a little ignorant about the rest of the world but then again there are many other people from many other countries who have the same approach. You think Europeans know any better?
ReplyDeleteYes, racial profiling still exists but its not as prevalent as people think it is. Not EVERY black or Asian is judged by the color of their skin. Usually they are jusdged by their attitudes towards themselves and towards life. There are many opportunities provided to Blacks to make their lifestyle better but they dont do it. No one forces them to live in the Ghetto. There are many who come out and find a better life. Also, you cannot expect Obama to bring change in a couple of months. Change is a slow process and the fact that we were able to elect a black president as a nation says something about us, and that is CHANGE.
It’s funny, how people tend to create walls among themselves, where none exist.
ReplyDelete@ Naz: True enough. But I disagree that discrimination cannot be entirely eradicated. It can be done and like you said, yes, it will take time and America's time is just not here yet I guess.
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS NO SUCH LANGUAGE AS SINGAPOREAN!! THAT'S THE POINT!
Then again not many are aware of Singapore's existence which is sad as well :(
@ Raaji: Yes, I will totally agree that there are many others in the world who are equally ignorant. But, the issue in discussion is about the Americans:)
VERY TRUE that change does not take place overnight. My apologies if I sent across the wrong idea; I definitely never meant to say that all Asians and Blacks were discriminated and advocating that would be untrue. Most people are aware that racial profiling, least in America is not prevalent. But being a Superpower, even a single incident comes under scrutiny. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately USA has to live up to its idea of being the Land of Dreams :)The recent issue even got the President to voice out, which says alot already. I believe even Obama thought that Americans electing a Black President is a Change already. Unless you had a change of ideals you wouldn't vote for something you are not keen about. SO you are right, the election itself is a change. But the change just kinda stopped there don't you think?
Thank you for stopping by :)
@Siras: Well Said!