Everyday racism is not necessarily all about the hatred of person of a different race. Instead, it can refer to the general lived experience of racism in its many forms. For example: assumptions of a person’s character based on common racial stereotypes. These stereotypes are often untrue generalisations which only work to divide us or are exaggerations of certain elements of a person’s culture.
What may seem like a genuine comment in passing to one person, can be offensive and uncomfortable for another. On the surface, they might seem harmless but when you pause to reflect a bit further, you notice that these comments can come across as just plain ignorant and rude.
Here are some comments that get thrown around on the daily that you’ll probably find all too familiar!
“I’m not racist, my best friend is black!”
“How come your mum is white?”
When you’re expected to speak on behalf of all black people everywhere coz you’re the only black dude in the room…
When you feel like you have to play down your personality because you don’t want to play up to the stereotype
When people instantly assume you’re a great cook because you’re Indian…
“You act really white”
“Ooooh I love your hair soooo much” *touches hair*
“You don’t seem Black”
“Is that your real dad?”
“But…where are you actually from, like, originally?”
When old ladies cross the road coz they think you’re gonna try steal their Nokia 3310…🙄
“So, what are you, exactly?”
“Ooohh you look like *insert random celebrity of similar skin colour here*”
“So, I think I’ll do a ‘Cowboys and Indians’ theme for Halloween this year….”
“You’re Asian so you must be good at maths…right?”
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