Racism? Really?

In America we teach our children that racism exists from an early age, albeit picking and choosing what kind of racism to discuss. Several glaring examples are always easiest: African slaves and the Holocaust. Then, teachers tactfully talk about other types of racism, like wrongs committed against Native Americans and our own Japanese concentration camps. We've all heard racist comments from that neighbor/Uncle/coworker, causing a stutter, eye roll and sigh. In the last few decades it seems that conversations about political correctness, racism and equality have increased; workplaces now bring outside consultants in to lead courses on diversity, schools actively accept students on a basis of diversifying their populations, and more and more inter-race couples marry every year. Of course, there are still fierce debates about whether aggressive diversification and ethnic support policies foster or harm equalization, but at least the conversation has been opened.

So why is it that I seem to notice so much racism around me? In fact, I've come to wonder what racism actually is today. After all, we can't forget about the big mixer, that effervescent 'G' word: Globalization. The borders of Europe grow fainter and fainter as citizens are encouraged to explore, live and work in other countries. With an increase in civil war there is also an increasing number of immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. Universities offer programs like "International Studies" and "Intercultural Communication." Citizens from every country are more likely than ever to encounter someone foreign. How can anyone be racist today?

To help me understand my own experiences I turned to the good ol' Webster's Dictionary. Accordingly, it defines racism as: "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race." In some ways, racism that I've recently encountered does follow that trajectory, but in others it certainly does not. There are two instances in particular that I'm having difficulty understanding. Allow me to share them.

The first happened a couple weekends ago. I brought a very white, blond-haired American and her equally Caucasian boyfriend to a club with myself and my Puerto Rican friend. We were sitting at a table reserved by my Puerto Rican friends' friends who all looked like they may be of some Hispanic descent. At the end of the night my friend realized that her phone had been stolen. She flew off the handle, screaming that my "stupid Mexican friends stole her phone." I was mortified and tried to shut her up compassionately but saying, "I understand, this is horrible. Just please do not use that term. We can talk about it later, but please don't bring race into it right now, okay?" Eyes wide, chin out, she exclaimed, "Well that's what they are, right?!" I said, "I don't know! My friend is Puerto Rican but who knows!" She spent the rest of the night cursing Puerto Ricans.

When we got back to our place, I looked at her and asked, "What am I?" She stared blankly at me. "I could be Norwegian. I could be German. I could be Welsh. Can you really tell?" I pointed out that in that situation she was the minority, she was the odd man out, and therefore presumably the least trustworthy. She didn't stay over that night.

Scenario number two: I was chatting with a man with dark skin and an accent that I placed somewhere in North Asia or the Middle East. I finally asked him where he was from. He paused for a moment before leaning in and quietly saying, "I am from Pakistan and I am Muslim but I am not a terrorist, no no no, I am not a terrorist." I wagged my head and said that I had lived in India and thought he might be from the North and that one of my best friends was Muslim. That seemed to put him at ease. He explained, "Everyone in this country thinks I am a terrorist when I tell them where I am from so I say that I am Indian."

Then, there's the fact that I was just recently "let go of" by an Arab man. And before that I was fired by a Japanese man. And before that I struggled to work with a Mexican man. When I explain this to some people they offer consolation that "a lot of people say Arabs are hard to work with." Yet my friends involved in international business, one of which has also worked for my previous employer, say, "Ya, it probably wasn't a good fit."

So where does racism fit this day in age? I chalk the statements of my racist friend up to habit: when she was in her most distressed state she turned to what she knew, which was racist ranting (I've heard her mother do the same). For the Pakistani man, he experience racism and actually further fostered racist misunderstanding by trying to protect himself from it. As for my friends and family, they're trying to say anything that will detract from my placing all the blame on myself. They are trying to shed light on a difficult situation, in the way that seems to make the most sense. And it does make some sense, after all. Turning to bad habits, botched protectionism, and reframing the truth? Sounds a little bit like an eating disorder...

I'm not sure what it means to racist, or not to be racist, this day in age. With the advent of the European Union many countries have enacted policies of cultural protectionism, trademarking things like ancient styles of basket weaving and all Swiss chocolate. China and Brazil in particular have rose to prominence by securing their borders against the fiscal and physical infringement of outsiders. While equality seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongue, reality seems to be pointing a different direction.

This is all very vexing to me. When it comes down to it, there's very little I can say: one of my very best friends who has taught me so much about God, faith and love is Muslim. She looks German. My boss and I weren't a good fit and working with anyone from another culture has been difficult for me. I really like ethnic food. I really like living abroad. Given the ever-changing nature of our world today I don't think the complexities of this discussion can be sorted any time soon.

In closing, I'd like to acknowledge that it is the second full day of Ramadam. Nearly 1/3 of the world's population is fasting. People might seem a little irritable (but we can't assume every irritable person is Muslim, now can we). So, go hug a Muslim, I say! Find one in the street, offer them a cheerful pat on the back, and remind them that you respect them for being who they are- and starving for it!

Here's a picture of my favorite Muslim friend:


Send a virtual hug her way, if you dare!