POC, are you OK with white people asking about your ethnicity, clothing, names etc?

[OddBeMe]

I do that often and get 50/50 reactions. I understand those who are standoffish about it. I'm just seriously interested in different cultures, learning where someone's ancestors came from.

All white people come from Europe somewhere, so we all have immigrant pasts to talk about.

I'm a POC and hate when this happens

I'm a POC and don't mind

I'm white and feel nervous bringing this up to POC

[A_Bell]

You realize that "white" people are from all over the world and have different cultures, customs and heritage, or are you too blinded by racism or guilt to know that?

People are curious about other people and ask about them because they want to bond. A person of Irish ancestry is just as curious about the customs of a person of Italian ancestry as they might be of Nigerian, Chinese or Iranian ancestry.

It is racism and a form of hate to think that normal human behavior is wrong simply because you think white people are evil.

[Rosalindaa__]

I don't mind, I actually feel quite proud most of the time.
Maybe it's because in the country I live in, there are so many people with different ethnicities. So that actually always happens when you meet someone.

It's a different story of course if someone asks it with a judgmental tone.

[kkirk4442]

I sometimes ask people about their heritage, both white and POC. I'm interested in people, where they come from, what their lives are like, what they think, etc. We had a great guy stay us for a week from West Africa. He was very interesting, and told us things about the culture and countries of West Africa that we had not previously known. As I said, I've also asked white people many questions, as their experiences are often very different from mine. It's all about getting to know people and understanding them.

[DragonXR]

I don't understand why anyone would be upset by this. We are humans. We communicate and gain knowledge from asking question.

[SpiderManFan2002]

I don’t mind if somebody’s doing it because they’re curious and genuinely interested and want to learn, then I’m actually enthusiastic to tell them lol.


But sometimes people do it in a kind of mocking way or like they’re talking down to you- you just get a kind of bad vibe from them.


I can tell who’s who, like who genuinely doesn’t know and is interested and wants to learn and who’s trying to be racist and attack you.

[nymphie]

for reference, i'm mixed, german and nigerian, living in germany. i fully identify as german culturally and i'm barely in touch with my nigerian heritage. for me personally, being asked that question is a reminder that i seem like i foreigner to others in my own country, when it is my place of birth and all that i have ever known. i understand other people are curious as i look ambiguous, but most of the time it's not really any of their business and i don't like the implication that i must be foreign. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Birdlegs]

You are German 100% how homogeneous is Germany though? I assume it’s a very white place based on its history😂 and if people make you feel like a foreigner it must be up there with like Korea and Japan with how homogeneous it is

[Avicenna]

@Birdlegs: Germany isn't as homogenous racially as most people seem to think (in some parts of the country there are lots of mixed race people, people from Middle Eastern countries or descended from relatives who relatively recent came from there, and there is even a significant Vietnamese minority.

[PhantomMk]

I don’t mind I actually implore 5his kind of questioning so long as it’s in a way that isn’t being asked in an attacking manner. When someone ask this type of question I think of it as them being interested in my culture and history so why not take a moment to educate them on my background so no I’m not offended at all so long as you ask correctly.

[HiveBee]

People think I'm Hispanic until they hear me speak. And then they think I must be a white guy with a tan.

When I worked fast food, white people would look at me when they drove up like "oh great, another stupid spic." And then they would hear me speak and completely change how they reacted to me.

[Gravit1]

That is pure projection unless someone actually said those horrible words to you. Assuming people are racist based solely off their skin color is racist.

[HiveBee]

Well I know I'm not projecting at all. Because I've never identified as Hispanic in my life. But at the time I worked there, I worked with all Hispanic people. When the customers would drive up, the way they would look at me, I could tell they were thinking some bad shit about me. And I never felt that in my life until I worked that job.

And as soon as I speak, their entire demeanor changes. It was very new to me.

[Gravit1]

I worked at a restaurant and the other employees kept saying I was Hispanic or ask what I was mixed with. You likely defied their expectations as you sounded different than they expected. That doesn't mean they thought racistly towards you. Perhaps some did, but you cannot say with certainty. One time I met an Asian woman who had a full British accent. That through me for a loop, but its a Big World. All I'm saying is you can see that they reacted, but you can't say what they were thinking unless they told you.

[Gravit1]

*it's *threw

[HiveBee]

They often do lol. I meet white folks all the time and they get comfortable with me and say some racist shit all the time lol. I dont know why but it is what it is. I speak so well that for some reason they think I must. be racist too. This is also a new thing for me and it's crazy to see.

[HiveBee]

Maybe the US really is becoming more racist. As somewhat of a conservative/libertarian I dont. believe in the leftist narrative that all white people are racist. But damn it seems that there really are a lot of racist peoppe. out there.

[Gravit1]

It is taught in Schools, so most regardless of skin color are raised in it. The foundation of racism is racial thinking or the belief in races. What is a race? Biologically, Historically, and Biblically there is no such thing. There certainly is gene expression, but more dark melanin isn't entirely country based. Evolutionist believe all came from Africa and people evolved more as races formed. I was literally taught in College that the lesser evolved stayed back in Africa. That is Racist BULL SHIT! These people also believe Asians are the most evolved.

The Biblical model says everyone started in the Middle East and went outward. We all had the same starting point and are equal. As People went to new environments they adapted. This has been proven biologically and Historically. It is Proven the First Egyptians came from the Middle East as well as all Languages.

[hellionthesagereborn]

Do you think that this only happens to POC? I'm white and I have had this happen many times, its not a big deal. People trying to understand you and understand your culture, your history, etc. isn't offensive and its insane that we live in a world where some people think it is.

[ShadezMcgee]

I am fine with it. The only time I have an issue with it is when someone makes a wild statement based on a small piece of information.

Since I am mixed, when I was out and about with my dad, I literally had one woman come up to me and ask "are you adopted?" Rude off the bat, but I simply said "no"

[bulletbob555]

I'm not a true person of color. People complete strangers walk up to me and ask if I'm American Indian? I want to say why are you in charge of giving us our land back? I mean i don't walk up to them to say are you Irish or or whatever to strangers. So I'm sure Thats amplified more so for true poc.

[Chrissydamusicgirl]

It depends, you can tell when somebody’s interested or when somebody’s fetishizing your culture/comes in with previous ideas etc

[Holisticapproachsara]

No its fine. I appreciate inquisitive people as long as they dont ask me about my bra size or my age😂

[SphynxUK]

I think it depends on the situation and how I’m being asked.

[OddBeMe]

Sure. For me its chit chat.

[Dragonpurple]

I don't think anyone should ask or care what anyones race is, the more we divide ourselves based on race the worse it makes racism.

[tartaarsaus]

Depends on the person and vibe I’m getting from them. With some, it’s just uncomfortable and I simply try to get out of the conversation. With others, I’m fine with sharing

[Solo22]

It's not your business to ask them that. You can tell they black, hispanic or whatever just from looking at them. Why you feel the need to ask them their back round?

[OddBeMe]

Actually I really can’t tell. Why can’t I ask them about their ethnicity or familial ancestory? I’m not their employer.

[Solo22]

Not your business. They don't ask you for your birthdate, mother's maiden name, or your social security number.

[dawsonnata]

Lol why would anyone care about where your great grandfather came from? Is this an actual question?

[Anonymous]

If we just met and you're asking, i will have yo think you're one of those people who will only speak to certain races and will turn his face over some others. Nonetheless i would still say

[Sia_nee]

I don't mind as long as they aren't being insulting or something like that.

[Anonymous]

wtf kind of asinine question is this? here's one white people are you ok with this pos trying to white guilt you for no reason? or here's another one.. poc are you ok with this pos asking all these stupid asinine questions?

[nymphie]

how are you "white guilting" someone when saying you're uncomfortable being asked "where you're really from". it always implies you're foreign and i can see how many don't like being asked it

[jasco]

Personally most people aren't gonna do that because its kinda dumb but yea sure go ahead

[zagor]

I'm not nervous about it, I just don't consider it relevant.

[CapitalismFailed]

I'm white and I wouldn't grill someone I just met about their ethnic background.

[Waldoe]

I don't care... and I don't ask

[TheAfrikan]

Okay as long as they do not end up stepping on me.

[The_Sal]

yeah you are "odd"🥴

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

I don't mind.