Obama and racism in China
This post is about China’s racial prejudices, and, given the topic, I’m trusting my readers to be grownups and to keep your responses civil. If you can’t, then you should find another blog.
Anyway, China has some deep-seated racial prejudices, including the widespread view that dark-skinned people are inferior. Many Chinese, then, may be surprised to learn that the United States has elected a black president.
That bit of news, broadcast to much of the world, hasn’t been played up in China. For one thing, the Communist government likes to portray the United States as a land of harsh inequalities, a place where minorities can’t get a fair shake. News of the election of a black president would contradict that, and Government-controlled media don’t play it up.
As the country gets ready to welcome the first African American U.S. president, whose first official visit here starts Sunday, the Chinese are confronting their attitudes toward race, including some deeply held prejudices about black people. Many appeared stunned that Americans had elected a black man, and President Obama’s visit has underscored Chinese ambivalence about the growing numbers of blacks living here.
China’s skin-color preferences and prejudices are deeply rooted, like the cultural preference for sons over daughters.
The racial animosity here reflects a prejudice dating to China’s mainly agrarian past: Darker skin meant you worked the fields; lighter skin put you among the elite. The country is rapidly industrializing and urbanizing, but that historical prejudice remains. High-end skin-whitening products are a $100 million-a-year business in China, according to industry statistics.
(Those prejudices are part of the plot of the classic novel, The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck.)
Obama’s visit is likely to prove a revelation, then, and may force the country to confront its prejudices.
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37 comments Add your comment
bob
November 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
You mean China and Obama/democrats think alike ? Telling sheeple, the land of harsh inequalities, a place where minorities can’t get a fair shake.
Elder Spokesman
November 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
Why do you write this? Do you really think that one visit will make any difference? I know you think he is a powerful leader, but tone it back a little girl.
Shawny
November 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
That is a squirrelly country. Unfortunately, they hold most of our debt. Can we stop spending beyond our means, please?
Turd Feguson
November 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
Well I dont know about all that, however, if Obobo forgets his teleprompter the chinese may think him a dullard.
Peadawg
November 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
I knew we couldn’t go an entire month w/out Cynthia talking about race! Thanks for proving my point.
StJ
November 16th, 2009
12:38 pm
I don’t think his visit will make much difference. He might get a few fleeting sound bites on Chinese media (and probably nothing covering the “uncensored society is healthy” bit), and that’s it. Then it’s back to the status quo as far as their [government-controlled] media coverage is concerned.
sam
November 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
look at the bright side, if we fall any deeper into debt we can qualify for debt relief from the international community…
dylandawg
November 16th, 2009
12:50 pm
good point Ferguson. If you make it 10 more times even the liberals will realize that Obama must be a terrible president because he uses a teleprompter. Please continue. Thanks.
Brian
November 16th, 2009
12:57 pm
I think Cynthia is racist because she thinks that the Chinese are reacist. She needs to grow up and stop making make stupid remarks.The racism is the global issues, not only in China. I travel around the world and live in five countries. There are always problems. The majority always discriminates against the minority, it could be in black, white, yellow or brown country. This type of comment does not help to improve the situation.
Joan
November 16th, 2009
1:00 pm
Given Cynthia is obsessed with race, I wonder if she actually hates the color of her own skin. In this country, or any other, anyone–black, white or yellow, who strives to succeed, who sacrifices now for future, and who is willing to work, can get a job, and a good job at that. Anyone who chooses to drop out, turn on and make excuses for themselves just won’t make it. I work out at the local Y. Frankly, the whites lift heavier weights, sweat more, and just work harder than the blacks. If you want to call that racist, go ahead. It is TRUE.
ctucker
November 16th, 2009
1:12 pm
Joan said: Frankly, the whites lift heavier weights, sweat more, and just work harder than the blacks. If you want to call that racist, go ahead. It is TRUE.
Wow, Joan. That was pretty revealing — probably in a way you didn’t intend.
Peadawg
November 16th, 2009
1:23 pm
Joan, it’s not racist. It’s just a simple observation that Cynthia doesn’t know how to handle.
Spartann
November 16th, 2009
1:24 pm
Hey Ms Tucker…not for nothing but they think like that EVERYWHERE in the FAR EAST…THEY ALWAYS HAVE…. Persons assigning a color identifying tag usually attach the suffix “DEVIL” to the the dark color they are using to label an individual. To clarify, they aren’t necessarily referring to a person who’s ancestral lineage began in Africa. By the way, the cast/color system is most apparent in India and the Middle East. What’s comical here , is that you’ve just tried to insult 1 billion Chinese, while at the same time forgetting the 2 .5 Billion more in the East that label people of color as well…… Keep it up Cindy- Loo, before long your loose lips will will have single handedly started WWIII…..
Turd Feguson
November 16th, 2009
1:40 pm
Spartann
November 16th, 2009
1:24 pm
LOL! Perhaps you meant WWIV? We, the US, won WWIII(The Cold War).
Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee
November 16th, 2009
1:41 pm
OMG, I was watching T.V. last night and then they cut off the program and started to show Obama’s talk to students in China. This went on for about 45 minutes and you could say I was not thrilled. Who cares what this guy his saying to these people when most people in this city are in bed. I certainly didn’t and changed the channel after 2 minutes. Buisnesses want their $3,000 tax credit for each additional full-time employyee hired like he promised, they don’t want to see him reading his teleprompter to China’s students. Change in 2010 and 2012, Change we are looking forward too. If you want to talk racism this is what our Vice-President Joe Biden has to say, “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.” – Joe Biden.
The American people
November 16th, 2009
1:54 pm
Thanks for bowing to another world leader Obammy, you have made a fool out of yourself again. Congrats. How about just a normal handshake? We won’t even say what he looks like to these people in other countries that he bows too.
dewstarpath
November 16th, 2009
1:55 pm
- Joan –
“”whites” lift heavier weights”
“sweat more”
“work harder than “blacks”"
– The massive assumptions, “weight”, and
utter simplicity of those statements you just made
argues against the very point you are trying to make.
They ignore the challenges and responsibilites ALL
Americans are going to face in the 21st century.
They’re not racist or true – just delusional and sad.
dewstarpath
November 16th, 2009
1:57 pm
- spartann –
what’s comical here (in this forum):
“loose lips will sinlge-handedly start WWIII”
Joan
November 16th, 2009
2:04 pm
The utter simplicity of those statements tells the story whether it is politically correct to tell the story or not. I would love for it to be different. It just isn’t. I will never be deluded by politically correct concerns. Maybe it is my midwestern upbringing, but honesty is important to me.
Rev Al Sharptongue
November 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
I wonder if the Chinese had a Obama as Hitler, or Witch Dr. sign?
I wonder do they question his citizenship or legitimacy as President?
They surely cannot be as racist as the Southern Americans with their Jim Crow laws and siccing dogs on people, segregating public places and burning Black churches?
William
November 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
I sure will be happy when Palin wins the whithouse. Then will other countries get looked into the eye instead of their shoelace or crotch. I guess the great liar had to leave the country while the bigot Eric Holder brings the terrorists to our country for acquittal. Is not this administration a big joke.
It takes a great country to withstand such a community.
guy
November 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
cynthia… what ever happened to one world? china is just now coming into the modern world. if that’s a goal that you truly believe in, try to be supportive of more acceptance rather than shrill about your accusations. thanks
Turd Feguson
November 16th, 2009
2:32 pm
Joan
November 16th, 2009
2:04 pm
Here HERE…political correctness is off the rails. No more personal responsbility. OH NO…”my plight” is not of my own doing but of someone elses.
Billy Bob
November 16th, 2009
2:34 pm
First reports out of China reveal that it was an interesting initial meeting between the Chinese Premier and President Obama. Upon greeting the Chinese Premier in The Great Hall, the U.S. President warmly extended his hand and asked if he’d ever shaken the hand of a black man. The Premier’s Chinese interpreter translated the question to the Chinese Premier who heartily laughed then responded. The Chinese interpreter looked puzzled and initially didn’t respond to the U.S. President whereupon the President Obama asked, “What did he say?”.
The interpreter sheepishly replied, the Chinese Premier said, “Mr. Kettle is pleased to meet you, Mr. Pot!”
Steve
November 16th, 2009
2:39 pm
mmmm mmmm mmmm Cynthia is finally waking up to the fact that racism exists all around the world. It has for thousands of years and will continue.
Billy Bob
November 16th, 2009
2:40 pm
It was an interesting first meeting for the Chinese Premier and the U.S. President. The President extended his hand and asked the Premier if he’d ever shaken the hand of a black man. The Chinese Premier laughed heartily, replied and then walked away. The President hurriedly asked a puzzled interpreter what the Premier said. The Chinese Premier said, “Mr. Kettle is pleased to meet you Mr. Pot.”
Dan
November 16th, 2009
2:43 pm
People like to decry racisim here but I ask you can you name another sinificant country (yeah I know not politically correct but some matter more than others) that has a democratically elected leader that is considered to be from a sinificant minority? Can you imagine an irsihman as PM of england, how bout a a peson of chinese ancestry ruling japan? Or maybe a dutchman ruling rwanda? I think a critical objective look at reality will reveal we do better than most everyone
Joey
November 16th, 2009
2:44 pm
Isn’t this dark skin bias (racist if you wish) predominant in all of Europe and Asia. What percentage, no, how may people of African decent are in positions of power or responsibility in England, France, Germany, Russia, Romania, Greece, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden?
Also let’s compare Canada and Mexico to the US in this regard.
John
November 16th, 2009
2:52 pm
Racism is a fascinating topic for investigation as well as a meditation upon the human condition. Almost any group of people, whatever their skin color/religion/ethnic background/tribe, tends to think of itself as the “best.” We all need to recognize that fact, and come to grips with it more effectively that we have to date. Education is useful (if not a “cure”), but we must also, I think, just be prepared to “tolerate” certain human behaviors as normal and expected. As long as the behavior isn’t legally instituted it probablky isn’t going to cause any real harm. Do you really anticipate Africans or Europeans rising to positions of prominence in China??
ck Hall
November 16th, 2009
2:53 pm
WHY DOES ALMOST EVERY ARTICLE YOU WRITE DEAL WITH RACIST STUFF? YOU ARE LIKE A BROKEN RECORD!
Common Sense
November 16th, 2009
2:57 pm
I thought they loved “Obamasan” ?
In any case, do you also mean their prejudice for communism over liberty ?
P.S. I suppose you also know there is a “pecking order” over there …………. generally the Japanese think they are superior, then the Chinese, then the Vietnamese then the poor Koreans are on the bottom. This racism stuff seems to be everywhere.
Spartann
November 16th, 2009
3:04 pm
Hey Rev Sharptongue…. Not for nothing … don’t blame the Liberal folks south of the Mason Dixon line for everything racial in America… If you’re gonna talk about segregation and bigotry being alive and well in this country start lookin up north too.. yeah, right in to all them BLUE STATES …. When’s the last time you were on the South Side of Chicago?? I don’t know what hue your skin is, but I suggest if you EVER find yourself traveling south of the Chicago River you best pay attention to your surroundings before you get in tooooooo deep to where you shade of pretty don’t belong. I’m not pointing to one race or the others here…… but black, white or brown definitely have their boundaries etched in to the turf of Chicago…. Hell, certain areas of the Windy City still observe the unwritten law “like seeks out like, and never strays”………. A word to the wise, if you’re a red-headed blue-eyed Irishman, don’t cross over the RR tracks at 51st and Western heading eastbound on a Saturday night
bob
November 16th, 2009
3:14 pm
Sharptongue, Are you talking about all those churches that Clinton said were burned by racists while he was growing up there ? He could not name any, can you ?
Turd Feguson
November 16th, 2009
3:14 pm
Spartann
November 16th, 2009
3:04 pm
Here HERE…I remember as a kid the New Englanders having a kaniption fit, or however its spelled, over whites not wanting to be in schools with blacks. Then school integration hit the south. Seems after the fact there was little fanfare.
Yet these very same New Englanders were rioting, tossing bananas at school busses and having to sneak some black kids out the back of schools due to these rioting, Holier than thou/condescending New Englanders.
Lettuce not toss all of historys wrong on the back of the southern man.
Irrelevant white person here
November 16th, 2009
3:14 pm
If you think racism is alive here…check history. We don’t hold a candle to the mideast, Asia, and other parts of the world where it goes back thousands of years. And is much more bitter and violent than it has EVER been here. Get out and travel and read something other than the AJC.
booger
November 16th, 2009
3:16 pm
Of course there’s the trade deficit, dollar devaluation, the economy, Korea, Iran and so on, but befre we get to that Mr. Chairman, could I interest you and your team in some sensitivity training?
Independent Thinker
November 16th, 2009
3:19 pm
Does BO carry a pocket teleprompter?
Oh yeah, I hear he is not going to take advantage of his own health care plan if (and that’s a huge if) it is passed. Good enough for us bozos out here who vote, but NOT good enough for him?