IS THIS RACIST?
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I had a conversation about Asian food earlier in a weight loss chat room.
A woman made an observation that many Asian women seem to stay very slim even on a high carb, often greasy diet.
I suggested that genetically, many Asians are naturally smaller framed, and that maybe they are better at metabolising the diet because through time they have become accustomed to it. This already had several people in the chat crying 'racist'.
Trying to explain myself, I was hoping to point out that different populations genuinely do process food differently depending on their genetic make-up. For example, that many people of Asian descent have trouble metabolising alcohol. My boyfriend for example is Korean and gets what he calls, 'the Asian glow' - he just can't break down the enzymes fast enough and it leaves him totally drunk and red faced after a single drink. That REALLY got people riled up - I don't know how many people called me a racist *****.
I guess I was surprised because nothing I said was derogatory, or suggested Asian people are less because they are different, and I certainly didn't mean to cause trouble. The truth of the matter is that even though we are all equal, the truth is we ARE different - it's not a bad thing, but it seems making that observation has people upset. The reaction surprised me. I'm genuinely sorry if anyone does find this rude or ignorant, and I guess that's why I'm posting - was I racist?
They sound as if they are all up their own arses to be honest.
If they think what you said was racist (and for the life of me I cannot see where the hell they are talking about as your comment being racist), I would hate to see how they fare in the real world, out there where there really IS some nasty stuff said and done!!!
They all need to grow up and get a life and if you want my view, stay out of that chatroom, it sounds as if they are living on planet Zog!0 -
I guess the point is not whether what I was saying was true - it was more a casual, 'hmm, maybe it's something to do with this' kind of statement, not 'its definitely because...etc'. I know people don't like generalisations, but when it's not a negative generalisation, I find it hard to see why people get offended.
The same as if someone might say, 'many European women have fair skin'. Whether its true or not is not what's relevant - it's just not offensive either way. Sorry if I'm not making sense, having trouble choosing the right words!
I feel you - I'm known to have made a lot of blunders when comparing "my people" to "Asian people" (yes, yes that's bound to end badly!). It wasn't out of malice, and I don't think it was racist - but it often ends in a stereotypical assessment and gross generalization. That offends people, no matter what. And yes, saying Europeans are fair skinned WILL ruffle some feathers, for the same reason!:) One thing I learned is to always and "qualifiers" like "most, some, might" etc., to avoid getting my head bitten off!0 -
You were not being racist. I think what people were picking up, and confusing for racism was your generalisations. But since the generalisations weren't of a negative stereotype, and in context to an observation. I can't see how they were offensive. I think in general there is a lot of ignorance abound these days regarding issues of race, that any comment can and will be used against you. This doesn't help race relations. I have white colleagues who deliberately Feign faux outrage when observations of race are discussed, no matter the context. This does more harm than good. I believe it stems from resentment and ignorance. How many times have you heard "we'll if 'they' can say it/make jokes about race, then why can't we?". My answer is that you can, but context is key.0
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Does the word 'idiotist' exist?0
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You were not being racist. I think what people were picking up, and confusing for racism was your generalisations. But since the generalisations weren't of a negative stereotype, and in context to an observation. I can't see how they were offensive. I think in general there is a lot of ignorance abound these days regarding issues of race, that any comment can and will be used against you. This doesn't help race relations. I have white colleagues who deliberately Feign faux outrage when observations of race are discussed, no matter the context. This does more harm than good. I believe it stems from resentment and ignorance. How many times have you heard "we'll if 'they' can say it/make jokes about race, then why can't we?". My answer is that you can, but context is key.
Well one way in which I could see why this comment could be seen as "negative" is that Asian women can feel under a lot of pressure from people who have such beliefs, who tell them "they're naturally skinny", when in fact they have to struggle maintaining their weights as well. It creates false expectations that can affect their self-esteem, or at least frustrate them.0 -
You're not racist but they are idiots.
My sister goes red when she drinks alcoholic drinks. So, does that make me racist?
Also, you get fat and skinny orientals just as you get the likes of Mike Chang.
It doesn't make you racist, and I don't think it makes her Asian either. Lol
:laugh: I wasn't actually thinking of it from a logic perspective: "if you go red in the face from booze, does that make you asian?"
She IS Chinese. I was playing on the idea that because I (Chinese) state that a Chinese person goes red when they drink alcoholic drinks, then I must clearly be a racist, too!0 -
Racist, no.
Stereotypical, yes!
Nailed it!0 -
Seems to me that people try and play the racism card way too much:noway:
People are afraid to say anything nowadays.0 -
You're not racist but they are idiots.
My sister goes red when she drinks alcoholic drinks. So, does that make me racist?
Also, you get fat and skinny orientals just as you get the likes of Mike Chang.
It doesn't make you racist, and I don't think it makes her Asian either. Lol
:laugh: I wasn't actually thinking of it from a logic perspective: "if you go red in the face from booze, does that make you asian?"
She IS Chinese. I was playing on the idea that because I (Chinese) state that a Chinese person goes red when they drink alcoholic drinks, then I must clearly be a racist, too!
"You don't look Chinese" :laugh:0 -
NO!!!!0
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No, you were not racist. The word 'racist' is over-used and often misunderstood.
I was in much a similar situation a while ago, only it was face-to-face. Luckily for me the Jamaican person I was with told the others to stop being ridiculous, and actually got quite angry about it.0 -
You were not being racist. I think what people were picking up, and confusing for racism was your generalisations. But since the generalisations weren't of a negative stereotype, and in context to an observation. I can't see how they were offensive. I think in general there is a lot of ignorance abound these days regarding issues of race, that any comment can and will be used against you. This doesn't help race relations. I have white colleagues who deliberately Feign faux outrage when observations of race are discussed, no matter the context. This does more harm than good. I believe it stems from resentment and ignorance. How many times have you heard "we'll if 'they' can say it/make jokes about race, then why can't we?". My answer is that you can, but context is key.
Well one way in which I could see why this comment could be seen as "negative" is that Asian women can feel under a lot of pressure from people who have such beliefs, who tell them "they're naturally skinny", when in fact they have to struggle maintaining their weights as well. It creates false expectations that can affect their self-esteem, or at least frustrate them.
Clutching at straws much?0 -
You were not being racist. I think what people were picking up, and confusing for racism was your generalisations. But since the generalisations weren't of a negative stereotype, and in context to an observation. I can't see how they were offensive. I think in general there is a lot of ignorance abound these days regarding issues of race, that any comment can and will be used against you. This doesn't help race relations. I have white colleagues who deliberately Feign faux outrage when observations of race are discussed, no matter the context. This does more harm than good. I believe it stems from resentment and ignorance. How many times have you heard "we'll if 'they' can say it/make jokes about race, then why can't we?". My answer is that you can, but context is key.
Well one way in which I could see why this comment could be seen as "negative" is that Asian women can feel under a lot of pressure from people who have such beliefs, who tell them "they're naturally skinny", when in fact they have to struggle maintaining their weights as well. It creates false expectations that can affect their self-esteem, or at least frustrate them.
Clutching at straws much?
Silly me for empathizing. I'm pretty sure if you lived among them you wouldn't feel it's a "stretch":)0 -
OP, don't feel bad. I once got called a racist for saying that to me, skin color is no different than hair or eye color and I treat everyone the same regardless. People can be pretty stupid.0
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I do not think stating genetic differences is racist - and some of these differences do relate to health and diet- Asian people are more likely to be lactose intolerant, thalesaemia is a genetic disease usually of people of Mediterranean descent, indigenous Australians are at higher risk of diabetes.....
I don't think any of these could be taken as rascist, not sure how what you stated could either OP. even if it is factually untrue ( I don't know if it is or not)0 -
rac·ism (rszm)
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.0 -
You were not being racist. I think what people were picking up, and confusing for racism was your generalisations. But since the generalisations weren't of a negative stereotype, and in context to an observation. I can't see how they were offensive. I think in general there is a lot of ignorance abound these days regarding issues of race, that any comment can and will be used against you. This doesn't help race relations. I have white colleagues who deliberately Feign faux outrage when observations of race are discussed, no matter the context. This does more harm than good. I believe it stems from resentment and ignorance. How many times have you heard "we'll if 'they' can say it/make jokes about race, then why can't we?". My answer is that you can, but context is key.
Well one way in which I could see why this comment could be seen as "negative" is that Asian women can feel under a lot of pressure from people who have such beliefs, who tell them "they're naturally skinny", when in fact they have to struggle maintaining their weights as well. It creates false expectations that can affect their self-esteem, or at least frustrate them.
Clutching at straws much?
Silly me for empathizing. I'm pretty sure if you lived among them you wouldn't feel it's a "stretch":)
If I lived among 'them'? Lol
Maybe I should set up a support group for Oriental mums who can't cope with the pressure of people thinking they are naturally thin, so turn to alcohol and subsequently walk around with red faces
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Tolerance and perception levels of people are going down. Instead of celebrating our differences we tend to be defensive.
As long as people genuinely believe that all are equal, irrespective of race, religion, region and don't FORCE our ideology on others, we are fine. The moment people try to force our beliefs on others, the trouble starts.
Don't worry about people calling you a racist. As long as your intentions are genuine (which they are, as per your post), don't worry about those judgmental people.0 -
A lot of people need to look up the definition of racist.
People are different, culturally and physically. Discussing these differences in a constructive way - as you appear to have done - is not racist. It only becomes so when the comments become derogatory towards the race. It's too easy a card to play simply because some people don't like or agree with the comments you are making (and this applies to other differences as well, not just race)
What makes multi-culturalism is discussing and embracing the differences. Not discussing them is what breeds the hatred and distrust of someone who is different and that's when the racism begins.0 -
The race card has been thrown so many times that it is meaningless and about as effective as a third grader yelling, O yeah, so's your mother. Some will cry racist at the drop of a hat these days. What you said was definitely not racist.0
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Just so you know, you're exactly right about the Asian population and drinking! I'm a Public Health student and I had to take a class discussing drug use and abuse. We talk every chapter about the racial disparities in drug use. When we talked about alcohol, it came up that nearly 50% of the Asian population have decreased levels of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase which is responsible for breaking down alcohol derivatives. The absence of these will causes someone to get drunk faster.0
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There are legitimate and scientifically based physiological tendencies. So no, I don't think it was racist.A woman made an observation that many Asian women seem to stay very slim even on a high carb, often greasy diet.
I suggested that genetically, many Asians are naturally smaller framed, and that maybe they are better at metabolising the diet because through time they have become accustomed to it. This already had several people in the chat crying 'racist'.
Unfortunately, the way our culture is today, I still avoid those kinds of observations because I am all too aware of how some people react to it.0 -
Any time a pale complected person make any comment about a person of another color, race or ethnicity it can be construed as a racist comment. It is ridiculous.
Saw in the news the other day that a person was called racist for wearing a sombrero as part of his halloween costume. Might have to throw away all my Hawaiian shirts before I offend someone.
I never owned a slave, nor did anyone in past generations of my family. I never employed an illegal alien, nor has anyone in my family.
I find the word racist offensive and I believe we will never end racism until we stop talking about it. Eliminate checking off your ethnicity when you fill out forms. We are all the same. Dealing with all the same problems. Start looking out for others. Stop singling people out based on their differences.0 -
I'm (south east) Asian and I don't find your observations racist :flowerforyou:
...but I don't get red from drinking though. Ha.0 -
I am a South Asian, engaged to an English bloke, and no, you were not racist or offensive in any way. I keep telling my fiance that I need to lose weight before visiting family back home because I am considered 'fat' for Sri Lankan standards (I am considered small in the UK) and everyone comments on it. (Telling someone 'OMG, you have gained so much' and feeling their bingo wings is not considered rude there. Gets friggin annoying! lol)
What I do find offensive is when people shout 'racist' when it isn't. Had a friend who once asked me if I knew about a certain Bollywood director who had retired and another friend go 'that is racist. she is not Indian. Why would you assume she knew about the director just because she is brown skinned'. I was happy to just say 'not heard of him' to the first friend, but the second comment made me feel really uncomfortable and a little offended.
PC gone crazy!0 -
You were not being racist.
Why can't we all just love each other and leave the color of ones skin out of the equation?0 -
Sumo wrestlers are also Asian.0
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This whole thread is one big sweeping generalization. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:0
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thats not racist.0
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This might not end well......0
This discussion has been closed.
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