It's true many Chinese guy didn't treat fairly to Africa people, or black guys, mostly because their judgment were influenced by American movies and news on TV, which usually portray African countries as chaotic and anarchic region.

@yxb1989,

I'm glad you've managed to figure out a way to blame America for this. Given the unrestricted access the Chinese people have to American television and other media, it's almost surprising there is a culture of free thought left in the Middle Kingdom.

FWIW, I don't think the behavior described in Africa is racism. I think Jeremy's right that rich Chinese people are just used to treating poorer Chinese people like dirt, and are sort of surprised when anyone takes exception to it. And it may not be pleasant, but it isn't exactly racism.

Not really, there have been studies showing that negative views of blacks are more common in areas where access to Western media is higher.

That said, I still think that "negative" racism against blacks is unforgivable, and "positive" racism against Jews (as in much of the rest of East Asia) is at best annoying and at worst embarrassing.

On the other hand, I think that Chinese racism does have a positive quality, which should be nurtured and maintained. Chinese racism is honest racism; people are by nature racist, and make distinctions based on race while ignoring the specificality of individual people. Racism can be a correct notion at times; for example, African-Americans are statistically more likely to die early of heart disease, even when other factors are controlled for, so for life insurers, on a statistical basis it makes sense to discriminate against African-Americans on the cost of their coverage. On the other hand, remember Milton Friedman's secretary. He hired a black woman because the fact of her race made her cheaper to employ for the same quality of talent. In the same case, it's self-defeating to avoid hiring blacks or, for that matter, Uighurs, based on their ethnicity as you draw smaller the pool of talent, although there are factors that remain; for example, if the rest of your society is relatively racist having a black or Uighur spokesman impedes your performance as they're less likely to be trusted.

The reason I mention the "honesty" of Chinese racism, is that in the West, we are rarely racist not because of our "enlightenment", but rather because of our fundamental ideology (that all men are created equal and are entitled to equal rights) and social pressure. It's not that people now see that a black and white person are absolutely the same except for the color of their skin (which isn't true, they're likely to be from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds), but that we are mandated to be color-blind. My point is that it's better to work forward from "honest" racism than "dishonest" multiculturalism towards something that is humane and rational, which evaluates each individual based on their own merits, which I think is harder from the vantage point of forced anti-racism.

I heard "I'm not racist, I just don't like black people" a couple of times in China. They just don't see that as racism - they're not taking action against a race, it's just a likes / dislikes thing.

A couple of things you could have mentioned:

- In the TEFL market, it used to be (and probably still is) quite common for schools to only employ white foreign teachers. The school owners say they aren't racist, but that parents won't send their kids to a school with non-white foreign teachers (including overseas Chinese)

- What's up with the whole skin whitener thing? I know why women want the white skin (it's a sign of beauty based on the class thing), but surely that can't be healthy?

Finally, Chinese people think that white people smell as well. Or maybe just me :) It seems to be true. Most don't need to use deodorant and wear clothes several times between washes (although that may just be my students) and they don't smell. I'd definitely have an odour without my deoderant!

Just tuned into your podcast for the first time. Liked the discussion. Two points in particular stood out for me.

Firstly, if I am a Chinese girl and I find western guys attractive and am not interested in asian guys, am I racist, prejudice or both?

Second, I noticed somebody mentioned that guys with "yellow fever" with a "liberal arts education" tend not to admit they only find east asian women attractive. Does this mean that their "liberal arts education" disables them from admitting the truth?

@jian4feng1,

Agreed, I was simply pointing out one of the possible rationales. As you say, attractiveness is a terribly complex topic, after all, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. The other thing is many of these sort of "assumptions" of beauty are often unsaid and subconscious.

One other point in the whole white/asian guy/girl discussion: I've spoken to many of my colleagues over the years, and in fact, I've found that white men tend to find asian women attractive less so because of skin colour, but more often due to figure. The fact is many white girls are much larger than their asian counterparts.

Please don't anyone take these generalizations TOO seriously, just some observations.

but let's look at the facts. More black people commit crime. I don't think it is necessarily because of poverty. Chinese immigrants were very poor when they first came to America. That didn't stop them from becoming law-abiding citizens.

The problem with racism is not because Chinese have an inherent hatred for black people. It is because the image black people project about themselves.

""

I have to agree with @johntully00. Love these podcasts but this one felt anecdotal at best.

I regularly listen to the Sinica podcasts (which I find quite interesting and usually very well-informed), but I must agree with some of the above comments that this was not so well researched one...

I found it rather surprising that the term "Sinocentrism" didn't come up at all, while in my opinion this is a very possible explanation for most of the questions posed (but unfortunately, not answered) in this podcast.

I am a Caucasian female from Europe who has lived in China (until recently)for 8 years. Based on both my personal observation and academic knowledge (my major is closely connected with research on Chinese Culture) I find "Sinocentrism" a very on the spot explanation for many of the "racist" instances discussed in the podcast...

Sinocentrism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinocentrism

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contact: salamandrinaemail-box@yahoo.com

You're saying that racism is not a problem in China?

So China is the only country in the world with no racism at all?

that is the most stupid load of bullshit I've ever seen!

In China racism is by far worse than many other countries! I know

from experience! Plus explain to me why the blacks and the Mongolians were banned from bars and clubs over the Olympics... That's all i need to prove the statement wrong. And, oh yes! There is so much more!If racism is not a problem there should be no problem for any race to marry a Chinese.. and you know many Chinese parents will not allow just because of skin colour. Also i've seen with my own eyes how so many Chinese treat non Chinese like shit! even in my Country the racist communist China are racist! But they are even worse if those same people see you in China! \

You are such a fucking lair!

@Robsonmic,

I've found the Chinese to be extremely racially tolerent. EG: our school employs African American teachers and the only ones in the school who make negative comments about them are white teachers from America. The faculty and students all like, and highly praise them.

I'm not sure on what grounds you're basing your comments.

Well, I think some Chinese people are extremely racist. I have a colleague named Chun from Taiwan who is ultra racist, never says hello, good morning or doesnt have any good manners, passes next to other people like they are invisible. certainly she has a high degree, but her skills are so so.. only wants to talk in Chinese and with Chinese people, if you see her facebook after living 7 years in US, 99.99% of her 'friends' are Chinese.. hahaha come on! she is just a prick and hypocrite person. too sad.