Ethical diversity question? - please don't be offended.?

Question

If you know you are very easily offended, please don't continue.
In my area in county Durham (North East England) our school does not teach prejudice or racism is wrong. This is mainly because that the diversity here is 99.8% white British.
Now, because that stat is correct, most people, (my self included) have never seen a black person, or Asian or Indian or any other culture except British. And so, when they come in contact with someone who is, they don't know how to take it and are really racist (and ive found it's mainly the girls). I sit next to one in maths who was talking to an Indian girl and I wouldn't repeat to anyone what she said.
But the fact is, that happens all over here, because that is the way they are brought up, and are never introduced to other cultures. We had a Sikh in school to talk to us about his religion, and noone took him even slightly serious, because they have never seen a member of the Sikh faith.
My primary school NEVER taught about
CONTINUED.....

any other faith than the Church of England, and even our assembly's became "Collective Christian Worship".

My question is:
Is your area like this?
Do you think people are racist, or just don't know what to do?

You see, here any other colour of skin than white, and people stare. Not out of badness, but because it's so unusual to see anyone of any other colour than white here.
I'm not prejudicied or racist, but wanted to explain what it's like and wnated to know the qurestions above.
Thanks

dIsTuRbEd - That's exactly what i'm getting at, and I tried to make my question calm and unoffensive, then you say that.

Answer 1

Honestly, as our world becomes more globally connected through economics and the Internet, this is truly becoming a rarity. China is beginning to emerge as the new global superpower, as is India. Muslims and Hispanics are enjoying higher birthrates. The Caucasians (us) are becoming the new MINORITY. I'm not offended by your question, but it's a fact of life that you will have to connect to, and learn more about other cultures. Your situation is very rare these days.

Answer 2

I appreciate your openness and honesty. You're right, growing up among people who are all the same as you makes it hard to learn about diversity. You may not be able to control how other people think and act, but you can learn to understand other cultures and come to learn that being different does not mean "wrong," or anything else. Try to expose yourself to different cultures as much as you can through the movies you watch, books you read, etc. If you have to give a report in school for social studies, English, or something use that opportunity to talk about other cultures, or Ethnocentricity, Cultural Anthropology, racism, bigotry, etc. Maybe while you are learning things yourself you can help change the minds of some other kids. Sorry I can't think of any resources at the moment, but good luck.

Answer 3

Isolation is no excuse for people acting like jerks when they encounter people from other races or religions or cultures.

I mean, every now and then, you WILL encounter people from other groups, and it's best to be open-minded about these things.

I guess, do some anthropological research, get some movies and show them at school, have speakers come by, something.

Travel. I mean, I've traveled thousands of miles all over North America--y'all can't take a field trip somewhere where everybody isn't all the same? Go to a museum or something?

This is no preparation to be citizens of the world, or good people in general. Too bad. I mean, I'm not surprised, but it still sucks.

Answer 4

I think it's normal to be curious about something that you've never encountered and it's ridiculous that a lot of the time minorities will get offended if you simply ask them a question, which is really dumb. I'm a minority too and I think curiosity is a good thing. If people are rude on the other hand, then no. That is not a normal way to react and racism is wrong.

Answer 5

I'm from America and lived in the deep south until I was seven years old. The only person who looked any different than me was our maid and garbage man. My parents were not racist we were just isolated population wise. When I moved to Florida, my mother enrolled me in school and I remember crying in the registrars office because I would have to go to school with black people. It took about two to three months for me to shake the fear. I have no reasonable explanation for it. My parents were quite liberal and even participated in the civil rights movement. My family is hyper-educated and somewhat well-off so we don't fit the profile of a racist. Be patient with yourself. You've taken the first step and acknowledged the problem. Exposure to others will eventually win out over your fears.

Answer 6

I used to live in a village like that in Portugal, I then moved to a place that was the opposite of it. It never bothered me and I can't remember ever being racist even though I had not been thought not to be.
It kinda surprises me that theres such a place in England though.

Answer 7

My small town was predominantly white, but I was exposed to other cultures and races eventually. I don't think the people you are talking of are necessarily racist, just ignorant. Most people are afraid of what they don't know. It's much easier to stick with what you know and reject what you don't. I feel bad for someone who would live this way though...variety is the spice of life. I just hope that people where you live one day open up to new ideas and people and expand their worlds so they're not always so ignorant....

Answer 8

I am (white) British with an Oriental boyfriend. To be honest, I don't notice his skin colour. I simply don't judge people on the colour of their skin. I myself come from a small town in Cheshire with almost no ethnic diversity. Yes, people stare at us and make negative comments. As far as I'm concerned, this has nothing to do with ignorance, it is just plain rude.

Answer 9

I take a person as they appear some good some bad I treat them accordingly black or white or any other color

Answer 10

In my area there are people from many different backgrounds so there isn't such a problem.