tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4563765989333989993.post854131944506763119..comments2023-10-30T04:54:15.047-04:00Comments on Dr. Christopher's Words of (Un)Wisdom: ***Response to Class and Black Identity Post***Dr. Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11192464289321739841noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4563765989333989993.post-41691387692508935972011-02-07T03:09:19.697-05:002011-02-07T03:09:19.697-05:00Hi Kendra,
I agree - I agree the attention we (w...Hi Kendra, <br /><br />I agree - I agree the attention we (white ppl) get is rarely motivated by fear and hatred. Good point. I do think that even if it is motivated by curiosity or fascination though, the effect can still be a negative one (i.e. lingering stares and being addressed/called by your skin colour only.) <br /><br />It's not an overley positive experience to feel 'exocitised' and the culmination of all the stares and verbal attention is that I quite often feel like a circus freak. <br /><br />As for the question about whether this is unique to Mzungu's - nope. I have a Canadian girlfriend here who is Asian in appearence. She believes the attention she gets is worse than white people. Not only does she receive the stares and calls of 'Mchina' wherever she goes, she also has to contend with people making mock, imitative Asian language sounds as she walks down the street. She's been here for a year and half and it hasn't changed...so now she doesn't walk, she takes taxis. <br /><br />That's an excellent question about whether the intrigue is tied to a difference of appearence or the power dynamics...my guess is that it would be a bit of both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4563765989333989993.post-5915124124792147252011-02-05T03:21:41.118-05:002011-02-05T03:21:41.118-05:00Good question. I have my own thoughts on that but...Good question. I have my own thoughts on that but I'll see what other people have to say first.Dr. Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192464289321739841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4563765989333989993.post-5092242264489438812011-02-04T22:50:08.510-05:002011-02-04T22:50:08.510-05:00"I think the type of differential attention w..."I think the type of differential attention we both receive on account of our skin colour is not really ‘equivalent’ across western and African cultures."<br /><br />There is no comparison, because the attention that White people get when we are in the minority is rarely negative, nor is it motivated by fear or hatred.<br /><br />Question for Chris and friend:<br /><br />Do Tanzanians have the same curiosity about Asian tourists, or only Mzungus? Is it the different appearance that is so intriguing, or is the intrigue somehow tied up in the power dynamic between difference races?Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10554490676780563859noreply@blogger.com