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In reply to the discussion: When you see unexpected racism... [View all]Behind the Aegis
(53,959 posts)One would think as someone gets to know you without anything other than words on a screen, we would see a "break down" in hate as people realize how much they have in common with others who don't look or act like them. Bigotry against Americans of Asian descent is still quite prevalent, as I am sure you are aware, and is often overlooked by many. My husband is able to "pass" as straight, so he has had some 'interesting' reactions when they find out that his spouse is a man. Of course, it also allows him to hear some really homophobic shit they normally wouldn't say in front of someone they "suspected" was gay. I am Jewish, but "don't look it", so I have been privy to some rancid anti-Semitism.
You are right, bigotry sucks no matter what form or who it is against.
As a funny side note, when I was in college and for a few years after, I was fluent in several languages (not so much now, use it or you lose it). My friend and I were out shopping and speaking Spanish (me) and French (her). Both of us understand the other language so we often spoke to each other that way to practice. We both got told to "Learn English!" We both turned, and as if from a movie script, said simultaneously, "I speak English, dumbass." with our very deep Southern accents. Needless to say, he looked very confused and scampered off. Some people are simply threatened by the unknown and others...well, they are so conceited they think everyone not speaking a language they understand is talking about them!