Do you know of any countries which are surprisingly racist?

Question

I mean ones which you wouldn't have thought were racist but actually are. For me it is Japan. I always thought they were quite nice but when I went there they were really rude and treated me like a leper. I even saw a sign on a restaurant saying 'no foreigners'.

Answer 1

The USA. I and my ex gf went travelling a few years ago and the USA was the place that shocked us most.

Amazingly xenophobic and prejudiced for a first world country.

New York and LA and Florida were no worse than any British city.But when I visited some of the areas which are less visited by foreigners-well let's just say the US still has a good population of redneck hillbillies who were not nice about the fact that my gf at that time (who was with me) was black.

Australia is not as racist but as a mixed race couple we got some nasty looks and overheard comments although no-one addressed comments directly at us.

European countries were ok as were those in the Caribbean.

We only visited Western Europe so can't comment on the eastern European countries.


The bottom line is that ALL countries have racists.I'd have thought being as open as to have a sign saying no foreigners would be illegal though.

Answer 2

Aside from the Japanese being "quite nice" (just ask your grandfather!), racism is bred into us all. It's an instinct you will see in just about any living thing. Anything "different" is perceived as a threat and must be eliminated.

It follows that all countries are racist until their people see by experience that diversity is not a threat. As Japan is not ethnically diverse (apart from a small number of Ainu, who were there before the "Japanese" came from China), it's not surprising that they don't like foreigners.

Answer 3

Australia (or more correctly Australian people) can be very racist.

The Government has a multi-cultural policy, so the mix of races here, which is encouraged, is quite amazing.

But many of the "traditional Australians" (who are really descendants from migrants somewhere along the bloodline in the last 200 years) resent the more recent arrivals from non-white backgrounds. Many of these newer arrivals (esp from middle east background) don't want to integrate into the existing culture, so exhibit racist attitudes towards the "locals".

Answer 4

The Irish are very racist against Black people, also Austrians are very racist and anti-Jewish too.

I think British people are still quite racist, but they cover it up better nowadays. Don't forget there is a lot of racial tension between blacks & asians in the UK too, which doesn't involve whites. I think the further away from London you get the more racist people are.

There is a story in this week's papers about a Black town Councillor in Belgium who is licensed to superintend at weddings, but 3 white couples have refused to let him officiate at their weddings - that's pretty racist too.

Answer 5

I know what you mean about the Japan thing, I'm living there now. But, you can't really judge them for it. They just don't have the "racism" is bad thing we have developed in the west. Most countries have a ranking system of races. It might be surprising to us, but it's true!

Answer 6

Definitely Russia.

Answer 7

America

Answer 8

Let's not be like the government and not start here at home. America! Land of the free, and billboard for race!

Answer 9

Britain. A lot of white British people let brown people be British but frown when these brown people want to call themselves English, Scottish or Welsh. It's apparently part of what is called British multiculturalism but I call it racism.

Answer 10

Saudi Arabia.
KSA is a totally moslim country and iIslam prohibits all types and forms of racism and discrimination. Surprisingly, name it we have it.