My white privilege

By Adam Borowski

Hate is a virus spreading around the world. The growing anti-Asian racism is the latest example of how fast the virus of hate infects the minds of millions. The three 'I's strategy ― invest, interact, intervene ― is the only way to radically reduce racist attitudes. We need to invest in education and intervene when we witness hate-motivated incidents. Most importantly, we must learn to interact with one another. The interaction needs to be honest, even when it's painful at times. As part of the “honest interaction'' strategy, I'd like to offer a different perspective on racial issues by describing how working in China made me realize I have white privilege.

It's no secret that many millions of people around the world are obsessed with light skin. If you have fair skin, you're rich enough not to work. A century or so ago, the West was going through its own phase of obsessing over fair skin. At first I thought the “white is beautiful'' mentality was a result of European colonization, but it seems the obsession with fair skin goes back to ancient times.

When I landed in Beijing, I quickly started feeling like an outsider, a minority. It was a humbling experience. Except, my white skin was also a source of privilege. I couldn't change the local culture; all I could do was embrace my status as a ''light-skinned foreigner'' and use that status to help others who weren't as privileged as me. How was I benefiting from white privilege?

I didn't get an entry card to an apartment complex where I lived but security guards let me in anyway. I doubt the same would've happened had my skin been darker. The locals, in general, were polite and eager to help. When two police officers stopped me on the street, all sorts of unpleasant scenarios flashed through my mind. Luckily, they just wrote down my name.

When I spoke with some of the locals, they often assumed English was the official language of Poland. Then again, the majority of locals associated whiteness with Americanness or Britishness. Clearly, a remnant of Anglo-American colonialism.

My Chinese manager said that whites are a “smart, philosophical and egotistical race.'' In a bizarre metaphysical twist, she even talked about souls having racial preferences. It was a profoundly perplexing statement to hear in an atheist country. It was also disturbing to hear her nonchalantly label dark-skinned people as unattractive and unintelligent. I don't believe she was intentionally trying to be racist ― the warped worldview was perfectly logical to her. I challenged her vile views, sadly, to no avail.

A Black man I worked with summed up the local mindset by saying, “In China, white is right. My professional competencies get belittled, my voice gets ignored. White is international.'' I was saddened to hear that he had been called ''coal-black'' by strangers on a bus.

I also spoke with white South Africans about their experiences and they felt much safer in China than in their own country.

My time spent in China made me more sensitive to racial issues. I believe we all would benefit from experiencing what it feels like to be a minority. Racism isn't a sign of strength; rather, it's a sign of a deep-rooted inferiority complex masquerading as strength.

Adam Borowski (adam.borowski1985@gmail.com) is a technical Polish-English translator, a newly minted K-drama fan and international relations enthusiast.