I love this saying, and I subscribe to it. Once my mother told me, "I'm an equal opportunity racist...I hate everybody...that includes black folks".
The reason I love this statement is because there is a lot of truth to it. I've had blacks who don't like me because (1) my husband is white and (2) I hang with too many white folks; yet one of my longest and dearest friends (who I can count on at any time to keep it real) is Black. I've been at work and I know (by the way I'm treated) this white MF just doesn't like my Black ass...yet whenever I've been given a promotion or someone stepped up to mentor me...it has always been a white person. My best friend, who befriended me when I first moved to Seattle is white.
Being from California...we (Californians) all get irritated driving down the road (in California) at the Mexicans, because damn...can they get out of the way (do NOT do 60 in the fast lane!!)...and why are there 10 people in that car...yet, my 1st crush was on a Mexican Boy...and the best couple (a retired couple) who helped me with Henry when he was a baby, and treated him literally like he was their own, was a Mexican couple. They didn't need to do this for the money...they did it because I needed someone close to home to watch over my son while I went to work. God knows I could talk about the Asians, and how I feel you can never trust those sneaky bastards (they will smile and nod, even when they're hating you)...but then the 1st person to trust me when I went into the real estate business some years ago, was Asian (Korean), and one of my favorite clients (meaning they were easy to work with) was also Asian (Thai).
And, before I came here...I had some "stereo typical" ideas about Saudi's and who these people were. Yet...every Saudi I have had to opportunity to speak with, I have enjoyed the conversation immensely, and they have truly been helpful (i.e the nice ladies in the mall).
So...I'm saying it...I'm an equal opportunity racist (most humans just get on my nerves; really just look at the state of the world)...with no allegiance to any group...and I enjoy the companionship and company of those who are just good people along the way; regardless of "so-called" race.
7 comments:
I agree completely - great post!
Racism is a major problem everywhere. Saudi is no exception. The truth is many people don’t even consider themselves racist even though they have predigests against certain groups. In Saudi it is most prevalent against South Asians because of the fact that most low end jobs here are held by them.
To be honest I do believe in some stereotypes. I do believe that people who come from a certain background or culture do have some certain characteristics and you will find them acting in a certain way with them being better at something and worse at another. That is not to say that everyone from a certain race are the same but most probably they are in some ways. An Indian is expected to enjoy eating spicy food yet one of my close Indian friends doesn’t, but chances are you meet an Indian and he likes spicy food.
It is unfortunate but people will always develop a first impression based on your skin color or where you are from.
Hell Freak...Yea...some people do tend to believe in most stereotypes. These tend to be people who would rather form an opinion about a group of people versus meeting people on an individual basis.
Also, I find that people tend to believe in the negative ones about other people and don't want to believe the negative ones about their own.
The bottom line is...what makes a stereo type true? What, do, 25% of the people in a specific group have to behave in a certain way? What 10%, 50%? Also, you (and most people) have probably only interacted and spoken to less than 1% of 1% (and that's being generous) of that group...so what are your stereo types based on...rumor; what's placed in the news? All things I'll be willing to bet you wouldn't want people to use to describe yourself.
So, based on previous comments you've placed, I'm assuming you're Arab and Muslim. Do, you really want that stereotype to describe you? A stereotype based on rumor, and what is placed in the news?
Hell Freak...BTW: I respect your honesty...so "I ain't made at ya". =)
Shit! I wrote a long comment and it got lost :(
Will just say that I am just like you in that aspect :)
http://achelois.wordpress.com/2006/11/01/the-poly-vicious-suroor/
Ok- I HAVE to ask: where in CA are you from? I'm from about 50 miles east of San Fransisco, although I've living in Northern VA for about 12 years now. It's funny though because I still consider myself a California girl! ;)
I liked this post of yours. It is all about paradox. I remember a couplet from a famous Indian poet of Urdu and Persian, Mirza Ghalib. He says: In love, there is little difference between living and dying. We live watching the beloved whom we die for ;~))) Sometimes, stereotypes are helpful as well. They are helpful in guessing common responses. But prudently, I feel, we should limit stereotyping till culture and traditions and should not take their help to evaluate nature of people.
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