Is racism against Asians a bigger issue than racism agains black people?

Question

To clarify I grew up as a caucasian woman in Europe. I do not want to offend anyone and I despise racism in general.

I am asking this because I noticed that from my childhood on I was taught in kindergarden not to use slurs or to even call people „black". We even had visitors from Africa every year to teach us about their culture.

But the same people that taught me this used jokes about Asians to cheer me up.

I'm more or less a grown up woman now but even after all those years I still notice how racism against black people is (fortunately) frowned upon but racism against Asians gets brushed off as a joke.

I once dated a black guy and everyone was so interested in him and I was told "imagine how cute your children would be“ but when I dated an Asian guy everyone kept saying things like "doesn't he have a small ***"

ManOnFire · Accepted Answer

I don't know how it goes in Europe so I can't speak a lot on that, although you've given us some insight. But here in the United States it is a little different. Open racism against blacks (and I am black) is taken pretty seriously, but 'open racism' is the key point to keep in mind. The 'power structure' is still quietly and covertly racist. Our government literally signed a bill protecting Asians from hate crimes, but still has not done that for blacks or even created a bill protecting us from police brutality. However, yes, black Americans do also make jokes about Asians as well, but white people do too. In fact it's the white people who did it for decades, making jokes about Asian people's eyes and coming up with that ignorant, uneducated term "China man."

But keep in mind that many Asians are also still racist towards us black people. My ex's father literally did not want her being with a black man. Asian culture also has their own history of making fun of black people with the brown masks they would wear in old comedy, and even still now selling those offensive black baby toys and dolls in some of their countries. And you have an enormous number of Asian women who put white men on a pedestal and literally think black men are lower and less educated. Some of these women even do not hide their distaste for black men or black people period.

The big issue is that black Americans and their attitudes towards Asians is largely because of the history of Asians mistreating and thinking lowly of blacks particularly in black urban areas where they set up their shops. However, this doesn't make it right for black American people to joke about Asians in return either. Both have had a hard history in this country and should be bonding. Having said that, I personally do love Asian culture and I have enjoyed the times I shared with Asian women.

BCA6010 · Accepted Answer

I don't understand the logic behind weighing racism based on who the victim is, but as far as the people who control the narratives are concerned, racism against Asians will never, ever be as big of an issue as racism against blacks.

This is in part because Asians make up a much smaller minority, but it's also because anti-Asian hate crimes (in the US) are perpetrated almost exclusively by other minorities, and in deep blue cities and states. It sounds like a cause people can and do support, but as soon as people actually look into it, it's a very inconvenient truth for activists. The higher education system, which is itself a major player in activist movements, also openly discriminates against Asians in college admissions to the deafening sound of crickets.

LaFemmeFatale_1 · Accepted Answer

Yes, I’ve noticed that people tend to be more racist to Asians rather than black people.

But god forbid anyone say anything negative about my boyfriend, I’ll make sure they stand on their knees and beg for forgiveness. And I can do that :P

I have an Asian boyfriend. I rejected Swedish, American, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and a black African man, who were all willing to date me around the same time as I met my boyfriend.

All of them were very attractive and wonderful males. Yet I chose the Asian man.

He’s perfect all around.

No one has asked me about his penis size, if they asked I’d tell them “He’s so perfect that I haven’t seen him for 2.3 years and I am still craving being with him.”

Show me a man who has had a girlfriend waiting for him for this long WITHOUT cheating to him.

You can’t name many men like this.
Even the best of the guys get cheated on especially when there’s so much time and distance between the two of you.

Yet he’s so irreplaceable and amazing, I am willing to stay loyal as long as it takes until I meet him again.

caitycat21 · Accepted Answer

All forms of racism is an issue. The issue with your question is you view these issues as if it’s an oppression Olympics, which it’s not. All forms of oppression and injustice are issues and all of them should be fought against.

I suggest learning more about intersectionality as it’s a lens that offers a more nuanced perspective on how different identities intersect and play a role in society

Anonymous · Answer

In my experience, Asians stay quiet and shrug it off so that makes it easy for people to be racist against them. You might see somebody stand up for them but RARELY ever the case. For the most part, nobody will care. Now, for an African American, they will not stay quiet nor will anyone else in the room or who hears you say something bad about them. Even if you say the n word in a song by accident while going live online, you will stay get hate for it as a white person. I knew a girl who lose her scholarship, wasn’t able to get a job and she was only 17 years old when she accidentally said the n word while rapping to a rap song live on instagram. Somebody recorded it and sent it to her college campus and they took away her scholarship and she wasn’t able to attend her dream university anymore.

annabananna · Answer

I don’t know. Where I live currently and who I’m around I don’t see racism very much acted towards either race so I’d have to take their word for it and I never hear Asians say anything. Not saying it doesn’t happen just that they don’t talk about it. In the town I grew up in I saw more racism geared towards black but I only know of one Asian in that town and he did get made fun of for his eyes by other kids.

notwoke · Answer

we're in age where the media and society likes to focus on and magnify any hint of racism. Asians are doing better than any other race in every aspect, financial, divorce, incarceration, etc. there's no crisis. Life no 100% fair for anyone. Besides almost all interracial crime against any race is committed by blacks so go ahead and get after em.

Adaeva · Answer

There is no racism against blacks because they are a privileged minority. In some areas such as admissions to Ivy League colleges, their is racism against Asians.

BlckGrl · Answer

No. Racism of these two groups cannot be compared and shouldn't be compared.

LazerBean · Answer

As an Asian, I can tell you that we have thick skin and we do not care. Most Asian cultures are pretty dang racist themselves.

DaisyM23 · Answer

hmmm I guess it depends on where you're from though and the history of race/demographics now

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

It got pretty bad for me around when Covid first started tbh but you shouldn’t be pampering the two

maximumpower · Answer

racism is racism is racism. racists come in all races, colors, nationalities, etc. no matter the person, it isn't acceptable.

MrTaboo · Answer

Because most racist acts against Asians are conducted by one race. Where black crime is conducted against themselves.

LadiesFavoriteToy · Answer

Who cares about black people. I judge people on their character and ethical standards.

Anonymous · Answer

In the US no, Asians typically are better off than all other races including white people.

OddBeMe · Answer

Not sure. In Asia, prob.

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