curious about prejudice towards immigrants

[almaty 19]

My employers ran an FBI background check on me, and wouldn't let me in certain parts of the building. Plus one time I was working in Florida for a week and the place I was had a guy follow me to the toilet "because I was a foriegner".

I would expect that kind of thing in Missouri.

Perhaps he followed you into the toilet because, as they say, "what happens overseas, stays overseas."

hmmm,...missouri

[EBONY_SEAN 1]

THIS IS REALLY A GREAT TOPIC. MAKES US AWARE OF EHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY. MAKES US KNOW HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND HOW FAR WE STILL HAVE TO GO. ONE DAY WE WILL ALL BE WELCOME

I have noticed the same thing. People don't think of me as an immigrant because "after all, it's Canada" and are quite surprised when I tell them about the immigration process 'even for Canadians". I really like your comment "o, so you don't have a problem with immigrants, you are really just a racist" because it sure does seem to be like that. For a lot of people, if you look like them and sound like them, you're ok - but if you are different then you are probably an illegal immigrant. Geeze!

I get the same thing. When I first moved here, a few different neighbours came to say hello, and all of them, every single one, went on and on about how happy they were that "no stinkin' Mexicans bought the house" and continued to curse at "all the immigrants". I reminded them that I am also an immigrant, and they replied "oh, but you don't count, you're from Canada" Gee....thanks The bigotry and racism in this town makes me physically sick at times. Neighbours will even over-price their homes when they're trying to sell because they think it'll keep the immigrants away. The house across the street was for sale for over 2 years! They finally broke down and sold it to a black family, because well...they're not as bad as Mexicans.

[Dr_LHA 3]

My employers ran an FBI background check on me, and wouldn't let me in certain parts of the building. Plus one time I was working in Florida for a week and the place I was had a guy follow me to the toilet "because I was a foriegner".

I would expect that kind of thing in Missouri.

Perhaps he followed you into the toilet because, as they say, "what happens overseas, stays overseas."

hmmm,...missouri

I should say that the reason why I have a background check is that I had to go work on an Air Force Base, where of course I had to be escorted everywhere as any non-USC would on a military base. Also the parts of the building I can't go in contain military top secret documents.

Just goes to say, what I wrote before sounded like I was being discrimated against, until you heard the full story.

[KarenCee 3]

I get the same thing. When I first moved here, a few different neighbours came to say hello, and all of them, every single one, went on and on about how happy they were that "no stinkin' Mexicans bought the house" and continued to curse at "all the immigrants". I reminded them that I am also an immigrant, and they replied "oh, but you don't count, you're from Canada" Gee....thanks The bigotry and racism in this town makes me physically sick at times. Neighbours will even over-price their homes when they're trying to sell because they think it'll keep the immigrants away. The house across the street was for sale for over 2 years! They finally broke down and sold it to a black family, because well...they're not as bad as Mexicans.

LOL...when I married Joel and my ex found out he is from Canada the first words out of his idiotic mouth were "well, be glad you didn't marry no mexican or a black, otherwise I'd be hauling your a$$ into court to get custody of my child." He still gives me grief about Joel being from somewhere other than America. He's like "why him? couldn't you find one of your own kind?"

What an idiot. I do believe when God said brains he thought God said trains and moved out of the way.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

My motto is, who gives a shite what other people think!

Edited December 13, 2006 by CarolsMarc

[chri'stina 190]

I'm not sure if it's simply where we live, or if Sujeet has been shielded somehow, because amazingly he has not had any prejudice directed towards him since arriving. At both jobs he's had so far, everyone loves him. His current manager is also Indian so they have some fun together at work.

Out in public, I am thankful that we haven't had to face any prejudice (yet but hopefully never). People may be thinking something, but have not actually said anything rude to Sujeet. I thank God for that!

To be completely completely honest, the weirdest looks or stares we have gotten were from other Indian people here in the US. They either seem to be less welcoming of interracial marriages(one of their own marrying out) or they have a problem with giving stares. Sure some people may wonder "what's this white girl and Indian guy doing together?" but no one looks or stares besides Indians, so far. Maybe they are just curious. I am non-confrontational but sometimes I wish I could turn around and say "what's your problem??!".

Edited December 13, 2006 by stina&suj

[KarenCee 3]

My motto is, who gives a shite what other people think!

I so agree! That's what irritates the azzhole so much...that it DOESN'T bother me. Not to mention I'm happily married and he has yet to find a woman to put up with him more than a month or so.

[Alex+R 0]

I get the same thing. When I first moved here, a few different neighbours came to say hello, and all of them, every single one, went on and on about how happy they were that "no stinkin' Mexicans bought the house" and continued to curse at "all the immigrants". I reminded them that I am also an immigrant, and they replied "oh, but you don't count, you're from Canada" Gee....thanks The bigotry and racism in this town makes me physically sick at times. Neighbours will even over-price their homes when they're trying to sell because they think it'll keep the immigrants away. The house across the street was for sale for over 2 years! They finally broke down and sold it to a black family, because well...they're not as bad as Mexicans.

LOL...when I married Joel and my ex found out he is from Canada the first words out of his idiotic mouth were "well, be glad you didn't marry no mexican or a black, otherwise I'd be hauling your a$$ into court to get custody of my child." He still gives me grief about Joel being from somewhere other than America. He's like "why him? couldn't you find one of your own kind?"

What an idiot. I do believe when God said brains he thought God said trains and moved out of the way.

Geez Karen, sounds like after putting up with that, you REALLY deserve the happiness it is so clear you have found with Joel!

[KarenCee 3]

Thanks Alex...you have NO idea what I endured BEFORE I left his sorry azz. Joel has shown me what a real marriage is and what real love is. Happy doesn't begin to describe how I feel

[MrsBruce5 0]

Not much in the way of prejudice with the way my husband has been treated. Occasionally, people do not understand him, but that's really the worst of it...

If I could complain about anything, it would be that most people we meet ask him extensively about haggis, whiskey and Braveheart-which irritates the hell out of me (and him).

The other thing is older women who take me on the side and "warn" me, that I may be being used for a green card, so I should take his paycheck and sock money away, "just in case"...

[Identity 0]

To be completely completely honest, the weirdest looks or stares we have gotten were from other Indian people here in the US. They either seem to be less welcoming of interracial marriages(one of their own marrying out) or they have a problem with giving stares. Sure some people may wonder "what's this white girl and Indian guy doing together?" but no one looks or stares besides Indians, so far. Maybe they are just curious. I am non-confrontational but sometimes I wish I could turn around and say "what's your problem??!".

To be completely honest, the weirdest looks or stares we have gotten were from cows here in the US. They either seem to be less welcoming of Australians or they have a problem with giving stares. Sure some cows may wonder, "What's with this Australian guy doing here?" but no one looks or stares besides the cows, so far. Maybe they are just curious. I am non-confrontational but sometimes I wish I could turn around and say, "what's your problem??!"

[peezey 0]

Not much in the way of prejudice with the way my husband has been treated. Occasionally, people do not understand him, but that's really the worst of it...

If I could complain about anything, it would be that most people we meet ask him extensively about haggis, whiskey and Braveheart-which irritates the hell out of me (and him).

The other thing is older women who take me on the side and "warn" me, that I may be being used for a green card, so I should take his paycheck and sock money away, "just in case"...

I have found this line of questioning to be the case, too, but substitute "do you ride camels there?" "is it hot there since you have all that desert?", "do you only wear your turban at home?"

And these are serious questions, not said in anti-immigrant anger.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Good luck on all of your own US immigration journeys.

In answer to the question on this message thread, I think that overall Americans are nicer and more welcoming. In fact, I've felt more welcomed here in America than in anywhere else. I have not experienced any discrimination, other than the typical "Where are you from?" question, which I reply "I'm from Canada (the place where I've grown up for most of my entire life and have citizenship in)". However, I don't look like a "typical Canadian", which leads to a few puzzled looks and surprised reactions and more questions about "Where are you really from", which I again reply, "From Canada". But I guess after hearing that I can speak English in a perfect "Canadian accent" (if there is such a thing as a Canadian accent, which really sounds like an American accent), seeing that I write/spell in "Canadian English", have knowledge about quirky Cannnucky stuff, and have a Canadian passport, they just accept me as "Being from Canada" (and yes, for general conversations, I get asked about comparisons to life in Canada versus the USA).

The funny thing is that I experienced a lot of discrimination in Canada than I did here in America, since in a person in Canada is expected to keep their original cultural identity (the place where you are born) and one isn't expected to be Canadian if they were not born there. Whereas here in America a person is just expected to be American, regardless of where they came from. America= The "Melting Pot" (where everyone is American) Canada= The "Multicultural Moasic" (where everyone is wherever they immigrated from).

Still, I am looking forward to becoming "American" (but then again, the people around here don't really care what I am. Maybe it's because I am close to the Canadian border and there is some Canadian influence around here. Also, the people around here are friendly small town folks and have better things to do than to discriminate.).

No matter what, discrimination and prejudice is wrong! After all, it is the inside that counts, not the outside!

Ant

I am curious as to whether or not any of you have experienced any pejudice in US as to immigrants. My own experience has been there is very little towards those that come here legally and make a effort to assimilate into the society, learn the language, work, etc. In fact from what I see Americans welcome and readily accept them bt then i may be wrong.

[Reba 2]

That reminds me of one time my hubby told me this guy walked into his pizza shop and he was wearing a t-shirt with the Canada flag on it. He said "hey, my wife is from Toronto, where you from?" and the guy said, with a heavy Spanish accent, "I'm from Ottawa".

[wong_watkins 1]

I have not faced any discrimination or prejudice so far here in Indianapolis, IN. I am as Asian-looking as they come but speak 100% "American English". I cultivated the accent over our two-year courtship before I migrated here on the K1 because my husband had a difficult time understanding my accent over the phone even though I spoke excellent English (and still do).

I also never try hiding where I am from. I love declaring proudly that I am from Asia. Hubby and I also like telling people that I'm a mail order bride and that he found my ad on the last page of the catalog. The irony of this joke is richly appreciated by family and friends here who know me fairly well. They all know I am well educated and can hold my own in conversations. My co-workers think it's a riot when I make up funny stories about my upbringing and I leave books about my country on my desk so they can browse whenever they hang around my cube.

Total strangers don't think I am different. I look different (shorter, yellow skin, and too skinny for some) but I've not been snubbed. I've had some come up to me chat about the weather or something else totally random. I think this is also due to the wonderful character of this city. There are all kinds of people and most are tolerant at the very least. A lot of people I have encountered don't even care where I am from.

LOL..my husband would tell his friends that he bought me for 20 dollars..