Taiwan is known as a very foreign friendly country, and by “foreign” I mean white people. Taiwanese people love to see visitors around and welcome them. But when it comes to Southeast Asian or black people, many Taiwanese people give weird looks. This is ironic because as Asians ourselves, we experience racism too, especially in countries where East Asians aren’t a majority, like in North America and Europe. It’s just that most people in Taiwan grew up surrounded by Taiwanese people so they never experienced racism directed towards themselves.
In other words, many Taiwanese people don’t seem to understand racism or even know when they’re being racist. Racism in Taiwan isn’t that different from racism in Western countries, it’s just the fact of who we’re being racist to. This is especially true of how black people in Taiwan are treated.
Racism towards black people in Taiwan
Because the population of black people is much smaller than Southeast Asian people, Taiwanese people tend to be ignorant of and insensitive to black racial issues. Some kids think the “N-word” is cool because they hear black people say it on the internet or in music. These Taiwanese people don’t say it cause they’re trying to be racist, they simply don’t know what’s wrong with it. But just because some people don’t understand doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the problem.
Taiwanese people, especially teens, somewhat emulate black culture. They wear dreadlocks and cornrows, they love rap, they sometimes call each other the N-word, and even perform in blackface. Of course there’s nothing wrong with thinking other cultures are cool, but there’s a difference between cultural appreciation, cultural appropriation, and straight up ignorance. And when people try to educate you on other cultures but you’re not willing to listen, that’s ignorant cultural appropriation, which makes you part of the problem.
Southeast Asian and Aboriginal people in Taiwan
Unfortunately, it’s even worse for Southeast Asian and aboriginal people here. There’s no excuse for racism towards these people in Taiwan, and it’s a big problem. One of the most common forms of racism is Islamophobia. I’ve seen many instances when Taiwanese people were being incredibly racist towards Southeast Asian people like calling them maids/refugees and making fun of them for speaking their native languages.
There is also dehumanization of aboriginal people. Ethnically Chinese people tell them to go back to the mountains. This is ridiculous because Taiwanese people experience this kind of racism in non-Asian countries so you would think we would be more sensitive to the problems minorities in Taiwan face.
One of my teachers once said that while she was on the MRT she said to her husband that if there were to be a bomb on the train, it would be a Muslim wearing a hijab that did it, implying that Muslims are terrorists. She then proceeded to say that she realized she was wrong because not all Muslims wear hijabs.
It is nice that she acknowledged that, but that’s not the problem with this story. The problem is that she, an adult and a teacher, still has these racial stereotypes embroidered in her mind. Also I should mention the fact that she said this in front of the whole class, while everyone laughed like she was telling a joke.
This shows how Taiwanese people are racist even if they don’t know it, and that the problem isn’t just with teens or adults but both. Taiwanese people need to at least try to educate themselves about other people’s cultures. Just because you haven’t experienced racism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And when people tell you that you’re being racist, listen.
I like your article here. You did a good job with the ending by adding a call to action: to listen! That’s great advice, and I hate people that give advice for advice, but I’m going to anyway. A problem stays a problem when it’s highlighted, like it is here. A solution to that problem becomes another problem when the reader doesn’t understand the solution, or as in this case, when it’s broad. Now, a solution becomes a solution when it’s specific and offers a plan, even a bridge to other ways to fix the problem. So when you call us to perform the act of listening as a way to deal with the fact that we may have subtle racist tendencies, we’re left with very little to do about it. Act is part of the word ACTion, they thing you’re calling us to do.
I think this is very well-written. And your ability to dig deep and notice systemic issues in your society gives old guys like me hope for the future. Please keep writing, and noticing things, and digging deep.