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Building a “Bridge” between African Americans and Chinese

架起非洲裔美国人和中国人的桥梁

Guest article by Daniel

Daniel Cooper is an African American guy who has been fascinated with Chinese culture ever since he read Romance of the Three Kingdoms many many years ago. He likes rock, pop, and Chinese music (JJ Lin, Jay Chou, S.H.E., Jin Sha etc). He believes that Chinese is a fun language to learn. Overall he is an easy going person and does not get mad very easily.

Chinese and African American Couple

Ni Hao everyone. My name is Daniel but in Chinese I prefer to be called Da Niu.

From the title of the article you can pretty much guess that I am African American or AA. First I want to talk about myself and I’m sorry to blab. I live in America and I actually been fascinated by Chinese culture my whole life. I am 18 and a freshman in college.  For now anyway :-)

Well, I remember looking at articles about studying abroad in China and I stumbled into a link that said “don’t go to China if you’re black.”  I will admit I laughed but I read on and began to get touched in a negative sense.  AA’s are in no sense new to racism (KKK etc.) and as much as AA’s are targeted we also target other cultures not less. But my strong belief is that if more Chinese people in China are exposed to classy and successful or just decent AA’s we can change that.

In my humble opinion, the top two cultures that face the most extreme stereotypes are Asians (mostly Chinese) and AA’s.  Here are some….

Blacks care about cars and bling (jewelry). Our boyz come before their gf’s. (Side note… I’m hip and all but I’m trying to be appropriate.)  We all cheats and have a bunch of babies. Blacks live in the ghetto, we love basketball and fried chicken. We all have guns and kill and steal.  Half of our population and mostly guys are in jail etc etc.

Now here are some for the Asians.  They eat only rice all day. They eat cats and dogs. They all are super smart at math and super strong at kung fu. They can’t drive. Every Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese person is always identified as Chinese or Japanese. Chinese own all the cleaners, massage parlors, Laundromats, and buffets etc etc.

My point is that both cultures face stereotypes and it is saddening. I do not believe it when white men post on Yahoo (that I did some research on) saying that Chinese hate blacks, and want to be white because I have seen some Chinese and AA couples. It is rare and difficult to accept to both sets of parents but we live in the yr 2010, when Facebook connects the world, just as much as Xbox 360 and PS3. Why is there still so much hate?

I have heard of stories and from some friends that want to and dream of marrying an Asian beauty and living happily ever after.  On Yahoo!Answers there are dozens if not hundreds of AA’s asking how to approach Asians like they are different species. Me personally – I’d love a Chinese girlfriend ;) … and I went and learned a bit of Chinese too. I am not a missionary but as Whites and Blacks went from one owning the other to dating one another why can’t Blacks and Asians do the same?

I contacted Crystal quite some time ago after reading her blog and though I can’t speak for all my AA people but I have read and heard enough to know that there are many who want to connect with Asians but the first step is hard.

I will study abroad in China and come what may, I will not be content until I build a bridge between myself and as many Chinese as I can. Just to prove that AA’s aren’t hoodlums and killers like they are in the movies and that AA’s should be seen as an individual not a group.

I know it was a long reading but if you have read the whole article I sincerely thank you.

Xie Xie, Da Niu

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  • http://www.jfamadei.me Tortue

    To answer your question I suggest everyone to listen “我小時候都去TU” by MC Hotdog (MC熱狗), it’s very instructive ;-)

  • http://www.thechinesedumpling.blogspot.com Martin

    Great post. Although I am “white”, I have also heard the same thing about AA not going to China. I administer a forum for “westerners” who are dating Chinese girls, and I can tell, that I know of a couple of AA that have married the Chinese girl of their dreams.

    Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t have something. Especially when its over something as trivial as the colour of ones skin. Love comes to anyone regardless of culture and race. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading this.

    • Daniel Cooper

      Thanks for reading my article. Ive been really busy starting college and all so it took me a little while. And I was scared to death about writing a public blog because the wrong thing can come back and haunt you but it went well. And if its alright with Crystal in the future I will try and post more. Maybe when I find my Zhong guo nu pengyou. haha

      • http://www.lovelovechina.com Crystal

        Oh, when you have a Chinese girlfriend – I hope that she can post something here ;-)

  • Ziccawei

    I have a black friend in Shanghai who is married to a Chinese woman. Have met other black guys that have hooked up with local girls. You see it quite often in Shanghai.
    That said, I have heard from many Chinese people the ‘issues’ they have with black people (I’ll spare you the comments they made) and I sincerely believe that most Chinese people are racist towards black people – or anyone with dark skin in fact.
    However, this seems to be changing, albeit slowly.
    Well done to Daniel for writing this article and refusing to accept any stereotypes hurled at him.
    What I find really weird is that many MANY young Chinese guys worship hip-hop stars like 50 Cent and want to emulate him entirely. I met two young guys like this who wanted me to teach them how to speak ‘ghetto’. They were quite upset that I said I was unable to do that as I am about as ghetto as any guy can be in his forties from England.
    Maybe that is a whole market there, Dan! Teach them how to speak ghetto-fabulous, yo!
    :cool:

    • Daniel Cooper

      Thanks for the support man. Though I’m only 18 I have a big voice and I believe youth should never be underestimated. I refuse the stereotypes because yes there are some bad black but then again there are bad people. There are Chinese gangs, Japanese gangs like Yakuza, bad Caucasians and lol if anything there are more white in jails just because there are more white in America in general but it isn’t fair that blacks are the targets. I come from white areas and white school and I have many friends of many different races, Ik I can’t be liked by the world but at least I wont be one of the racist bitter blacks nor will I ever regret because at least I tried and again there will be Chinese people who don’t like my skin because in tradition, peasants who had little money worked in fields and had dark skin. But I am not a peasant and I’m not ghetto or a hoodlum, I’m Daniel Cooper a educated and going to be sucessful African American and I do not care who tries to question me.

  • http://laowaiink.weebly.com Mark

    Good perspective, more power to you. It takes a lot of time for new cultural ideas to gain traction in China but the narrow-minded attitude towards blacks is changing slowly but surely. That said, there’s still a loooong way to go. I’ve had several black friends in China who experienced endless discrimination and racism, but they endured it heartily. You gotta have thick skin to be black in China though for sure. 加油！

  • Tony

    Cool blog..Being black in China is a blessing in disguise..Iam proudly African..Be proud to be black, respect the Chinese and their Culture and everything will go smoothly..I dont think its racism as such its more of a mixture of excitement and curiosity but it feels good to have people look at you makes you feel like some kind of celebrity..I havent been in China for long but i havent had any problem, ive dated a few Chinese girls..you have the right attitude..so dont let anything hold you back..life is too short to let a few comments hold you back..P.S Chinese girls are very caring kind of make you feel young again..ROFTL… :lol:

  • Jack

    I’ve been a headmaster for a few private schools in a couple of provinces over the last six years and it has always been the same thing; no hiring blacks.

    All ignorance. But, as someone here stated, it is changing. A lot of Chinese love basketball and hip-hop (does that make a difference?) and with the large influx of Africans studying or living in China recently, I think public opinion will change with more understanding and exposure.

    Let’s see if these Post 90′s kids can make a difference.

  • Henry

    It’s nonsense and a myth to me that Chinese hardly date Blacks–the chances may only be limited just as the visibility is, but take it from me: I’m black, I’m African and live in China, and know other Blacks here–African Americans included, and most of them have dated and married Chinese. There is a lot going on behind the scenes! And make no mistake; in all races not everyone is willing to date outside their race.

    (A Chinese Sweetie, though, once confessed to me that she started a relationship with me just because I met her while hanging out with “White” friends. My hunch was that she took me as her “bridge” to date one of my friends.) Anyway, immigrants in China no matter their race go through various difficulties, including some xenophobic mistrust and naivety about “foreigners” as it is in some other places around the world. One thing about Chinese is their complexity as it is with people of every race. There are always less ridiculous Chinese, Whites, Blacks etc, than those who are hospitable and generous.

    Those Chinese who are xenophobic and down right naive may be “more biased” when it comes to Blacks, but it applies to all immigrants wherever they come from. It’s not only blacks that they don’t want to date or interact with-–it’s people from other races or countries. And there is at some point a reason why they get tough on people from a particular race… The reason though, is sometimes complex, misinformed and bizarre, but most often due to stereotypes and “the part” that is true.

    And yes, there are stereotypes about people of every race, but not all stereotypes. There are things within the Black community and communities of other races that I don’t like. That is to accept the part that is not stereotypical, but also say “bad and good behavior, patriotism or lack of, pursue of love and happiness and success or failure are human, and are equally found in all societies, communities, races, etc.”

    What we all have to do going forward is not to generalize with stereotypes. I have heard some laughable and offensive stereotypes about Africa from some Chinese, just as I have from some African Americans. It’s sometimes weird ignorance plus weird generalization. Except for Chinese who are into music and basketball,etc, others see every black person here as “African”. A White African friend always has a tough time defending that he is African. (It’s painful sometimes, but the more Chinese I speak, the more we talk about our ignorance and accept each other).

    So, Daniel, I think there is already a “bridge” between Chinese and not only African Americans, but blacks in general. Learning the Chinese language is very important in strengthening this “bridge” and burying the paranoia some Chinese and some Blacks have about each other. This is arguably still a “starter bridge” but with China now a desired destination for people of every race, there is a good chance to strengthen “bridges”, not only in dating but also in other areas.

  • BlackSugarDaddy

    Grind your appendage for devious mecenary gold-diggers and ready yourself a will and body bag.

  • disagree

    Yo, man. Check it out. The reason Chinese people don’t like blacks is threefold. The first is, as you astutely noted, the fact that dark skin signals manual (field) labor, and thus poverty. The second is the unfortunate portrayal of black men in American movies. Now, you and I know that there are plenty of American films in which blacks are not portrayed as savage killers, yet for some strange reason, those kinds of films either don’t make it to the mainland, or the message fails to resonate, but I digress. The third is mired in their intense insecurity about their position in the world. Talk to most people here in China, and a few sentences into the convo, you are being reminded for the 100th time that China has a very looooong history and a very greeeeeeeat culture. Now, it is rude to point out to them that longevity of a history is not necessarily a sign of virtue. Nor could one conclude that the presence or age of a culture gives it some kind of transcendent value. The fact that the culture they worship so has been all but annihilated since the communists took over is a moot point. What I am getting at here is that due to the embarrassment of the last 100 years, Chinese people prefer to see all blacks as creatures from sub-saharan Africa – a place with no history and no culture – so HA! they are at least “better” than someone.

    China is an awesome place, and if you are black and you want to come here and invest in this country there is only one thing you can do to help yourself: learn Chinese and learn it fucking well. The reality is that as a white monkey, my shitty Chinese gets me a lot of compliments and ‘oooohs’. I am a white monkey. Even though my Chinese sucks I am still a “clever” white monkey from which they can get money or knowledge. For a black monkey your Chinese would need to be exceptional. Get your Chinese up to par. For real, don’t even fuck around. Make it your life to learn this barbarian tongue and you’ll have great prospects when you get here.

  • Louisa

    So as a Chinese (well, Chinese American) girl who has dated an African American in the past (around your current age no less), I can say that it’s not absolutely impossible for an African American to get a Chinese girlfriend (of course, personality comes first, I didn’t date my ex because he was black but because he was cool person). But you do have to be prepared for certain hurdles other than stereotypes. For most Chinese, parental opinion is extremely important, and if the parents don’t like you, then you’re going to have a harder time maintaining the relationship (it put damper on mine definitely).

    Like others have said here, learning Chinese would be a great help to bridging the cultural gap. But you can’t just learn the language, you have to learn about Chinese culture, and not just the popular culture. You need to get down the thousands of years of customs, behaviors, and the like to even be remotely “accepted.” I’m an ABC (American Born Chinese) and even when I go to China to visit family I’m considered American, an “outsider,” first and foremost. I think the major argument against interracial dating for many Chinese is the fear that their significant other would not be able to properly understand their home culture and mentality.

    But anyway, good luck with your studies, and when you do end up in China, be prepared for a lot of staring (and I mean A LOT of staring). Outside of major cities, and even in major cities, you might be the first black person a Chinese person has ever seen.

    If you’re interested, there’s a blog called Gaijin Chronicles that details a black man’s experience in Japan (he’s lived there for 7 years). It’s not China, of course, but I feel that the East Asian countries have similar mentalities when it comes to peoples of other races. It’s a really fun read, especially his old archived stuff.

    • Daniel Cooper

      Hey thanks a lot. And I will certainly read the blog from the link you posted. So ya I’m pretty knowledable in chinese culture and customs. And the histroy from Han dynasty got me started. One thing that inspired this article was the fact that I lived in new York before college. And I have manyyy chinese friends both teens and adults and no problems. I mean old adults that sit infront of stores and smoke cigerattes lol they all call me Da Niu =). But when I read that chinese didn’t like black I thought thats bullcrap because one guy said to me in chinese that I’m a very good person and another guy playing majong when I was watch said I have a very warm demeanor. They don’t mind my company around there.

  • keius

    I like your view and perspective. Hope it doesn’t change. Big thumbs up :cool:
    Like someone else said, make sure you have very thick skin and watch your back. Any Chinese GF you find is going to have to get even thicker skin. Enjoy the little things and don’t let the racist behavior bother you too much. It’s very very important to find friends that you can trust though. Don’t associate with iffy people. Your experience will be much better that way. And don’t expect to actually find acceptance. It’s not likely to ever happen. When you do go though, just enjoy yourself and the culture.

    btw, stereotypes exist for a reason. There’s alot of truth in the stereotypes. They exist among the Chinese as well…shanghai, Beijing, Fuzhou, Taishan, Hunan, etc. Regional Chinese have a certain reputation and stereotype and there is some truth to those as well.

    • http://www.magnoliaarts.com TLB

      I would agree that stereotypes exist for a reason: that reason is that a group of people, from (obviously) their own point of view, perceive another group of people to be a certain way. Generalizations are made (that’s how our brains work) and then are applied to individuals (a logical error, but a common one nonetheless).

      So I would agree that stereotypes contain some truths, but those are only truths as seen from a certain perspective, and they aren’t necessarily true in any given instance.

      I’ll add my kudos to the others Daniel, I don’t care what color you are, the world will be a better place the more people think like you do. Carry on, and good luck!

  • Ziccawei

    In terms of stereotypes, the Chinese LOVE to do this. They try to pigeon-hole everyone from every country. I am English so I am constantly told that I am ‘English Gentleman’ while for Americans I am told they ‘very like war’ amongst other things.
    Not only do they do this with people from other countries but for people from their own too. All Shanghai girls are beautiful for example. Sichuan girls are all beautiful too. Shanghai men are weak, DongBei men are strong. I was once told (sorry Crystal) by a Chinese guy that 80% of ChingQing girls are whores while 80% of ChingQing men are thieves by a guy in Shanghai.
    Not only do the Chinese do this with racial or regional stereotypes but with other categories too. Everyone must be in their own box and not move. You cannot move form one box to another or be in two boxes at the same time.
    I have never known a group of people to do this so much.
    Another classic is that if a guy is effeminate and popular with the girls he is ‘lovely’ but if he’s effeminate and unpopular with the girls he’s ‘gay’.
    There are very strong lines marking the boundaries and very little, or no, grey areas in China.
    Totally hilarious.
    :mrgreen:

    • Teacher in China

      Yes, because no one else stereotypes at all. “Blacks are good at sports”, “Asians are good at math”, “Italians are passionate”, “British people are snobby”, “Canadians are polite”, “Chinese people stereotype”. Yikes man, get some perspective.

  • China Shark Mike

    Daniel,

    I admire your perseverence and know you could do it if your heart so desires. I”ve been living and teaching in Shenzhen for almost 2 years now. 99% of Chinese people unfortunately have these preconceived ideas in their head. Most of the blacks I’ve met in Hong Kong and Guangzhou were very true to the criminal stereotypes {Africans}. So it sometimes it is the bad apples poisoning the barrel, hence distrust and apprehension. But like some of the other posters stated {learn Chinese to give yourself the added advantage}. Even saying a simple thank you in Chinese brings smiles and acceptence.

    • Heng Li

      China Shark Mike,

      Why don’t you just say the Blacks you met were criminals than say they “were very true to the criminal stereotypes”? And what do you mean by adding {Africans}? Are you generally equating “Africans” with criminality? That would not be a fair equation if that’s the case. I’m sorry if I am misunderstanding that point. Can you please put that into more perspective? I, however, understand this article was about “African Americans and Chinese” and not Blacks in general.

      Apart from this observation, I agree with you that there are “bad apples”. These “bad apples” do despicable things and deserve to be punished accordingly. But you seemingly associated bad behavior mostly with “Africans”. Every race, every continent, every country has “bad apples.” You don’t have to look hard to find “bad apples” that are Chinese, (in China and everywhere), Americans, Brits, Kiwis, Japanese, Russians, Brazilians,etc. So, these “bad apples” should not be what validates the bias and intolerance of “everyone” from one race or another. If that’s how it’s done, then we are all screwed up!

      • North European

        Heng Li,

        have you ever heard about the Guangzhou “Chocolate city”?
        If not you should perhaps read up on the matter, you can start here:
        http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/in-africa-town-everything-to-gain/article1569451/
        But there are many other articles too, and the problem with those African-Africans coming to China is imminent, there is a lot of bad things going on there and from what I have known from before also when I started to dig into the dating scams in China is that some of the Chinese dating scams originate from Nigerian scammers residing in Guangzhou.
        Of course this is certainly not a nice situation giving many other people of African decent a bad rap.

        Now over to the main topic…

        Daniel,

        what I like in particular when reading your guest blog here is your positive attitude and understanding of being an ambassador showing the world a good picture of you, have to really praise you for that and that is something we all should have in our mind when visiting another country, keep up the good work and try to not let bad encounters you down and take it instead as a challenge to be that great ambassador, a calm voice and cool mindset helps in China.

        Zai jian!

  • China Shark Mike

    Heng Li
    You are completely twisting my words. In my life experiences with people from Africa in Japan and China has all been negative. I am not equating criminal behavior with any race just stating the way a lot of Chinese people see them here. It is not subjective opinion. In Guangzhou there a lot of problems with crime and people from the African countries. Guilt by association, yes it’s unfair and not right but a fact of life. Personally, I don’t like white people very much but what can I do I’m white. Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world where the currupt government encourages internet crimes and will not prosecute apparent scammers when presented with hard facts. My preference is Chinese people hence I moved to China to start a family. I agree there are bad apples in all cultures I just think you were confused as to the true meaning of my words. I simply stated things I’ve observed since I moved to China. 99% of the Chinese I know will state they do not like black people simple based on the skin color. American, British, African does not matter they just are prejudiced to people of dark color. Do not try to portray me as a racist. If anything I don’t prefer my own color, maybe I’m racist against white people, see how stupid that sounds, right? Personally I would never marry a white person. So what was your point because now I’m confused or maybe just looking to mix it up for what reason I do not know. However, if you want to read into or scrutinize every word that people say I guess that is fine yet shows a closed mind.

  • leo

    As a chinese living in canada….i think that 75% of chinese in china, taiwan, hong-kong, singapore and the rest of sud-east asia are racist.

  • armo

    As a Jew living in Shanghai, I am used to racist comments on a daily basis. mentioning I am a Jew – always never fails to raise the same reaction – “Jews are very smart” and at many times – “Jews do good business” or some other variant of this kind. What I find interesting, is that these kind of comments come from the educated as well as the uneducated in China. I believe that it is even taught in schools all around the country..
    Unfortunately, racist ideas are embedded in Chinese culture, both in a general way (we are all laowai), and on a personal way (jew,black,brit…) …
    Personally, I believe that at the core of this issue, the problem is ignorance – the average Chinese has no source of personal knowledge on other cultures, apart from what he is fed from the media (even the educated). It is not the drug dealers from Guangzhou as mentioned before, but the fact that they did not meet a real, living black person in their life.. Slowly this is changing as many Chinese get a more cosmopolitan mentality due to cultural exchange (traveling, working with foreigners, etc..).. but this is gradual.
    In any case,,
    good luck to the OP

    • http://www.magnoliaarts.com TLB

      Armo, I think you’ve hit on a very important point — the controlled media and lack of openness generally in the education systems is producing, unfortunately, a population that are all “frogs at the bottom of the well” — that is, their points of view are unfortunately (through no fault of their own) severely limited. I know lots of very capable and intelligent Chinese who are ignorant of world events and ideas (other than that fed them through their government media).

      Everyone in the world, no matter what culture, is limited to some extent in this way — but some much more than others; I do think this will be a major issue for China going forward — it’s just another example of the control versus openness/freedom issue.

      I like your optimism that this is changing, if only slowly. Let’s hope it continues.

  • BoWen

    I read your post Mr Cooper, and it does not read as if it was written by a native English speaker. There is a difference between Africans in America and African Americans.

    • Patrick

      BoWhen he’s 18 and made normal grammatical errors, his slang is all-American, he’s the real deal. Great attitude Da Niu – you’ll do great.

      Signed,
      Wanna be basketball play’n, Fried chicken eat’n MOFO

  • Derek

    As a black man living in Shenzhen for a while now, even in one of the most modern and open cities China has to offer, blacks are still treated with a mixture of awe or fear by many Chinese.

    As for me, I’m a good person. I have the respectable profession of teacher. I speak Chinese. I studied Asian affairs in universities and make it a point to be aware of cultural attitudes, modern history, and geopoltiical issues. I’m not interested in Chinese women because I’m gay, so Chinese men can rest assured I’m not after their wives. I wear Uniqlo fashions and keep my hair in neat twists. I’m far from threatening aside from my height of over 6’0″ which would intimidate anyone :-)

    Even with all this, the first thing that Chinese people notice about me is my skin color. This I accept, along with the stares, pointing, laughing, and photo-taking because the reason for this attention is because I’m a novelty, even in Shenzhen. But the negative assumptions they make because of my skin, demonstrated by running away from me, saying “watch your purse” to their girlfriends, or people talking shit about me because they thing I don’t understand, are ones that I will never accept, and have a right to be angry about them. The basis behind these attitudes towards black people have already been discussed and even rationalized above, so I’m not seeking to investigate it further.

    But, I disagree with several things, Da Niu. First off, we are NOT in America–we are in China. Therefore, the stereotypes you mentioned about Chinese people exist only in America and aren’t carried over into China. I believe that, when the Chinese aren’t ashamed for not being modern enough, are quite proud of their long history and rich culture. Also, it shouldn’t be a person’s job to spend all day proving that he is not what people think he is. I mentioned the sort of person I am above: harmless. A kind southern gentlemen if you will. Yet as soon as Chinese people (or any other racial group) looks at me, the assumption about who I am and what I represent is already made, and I refuse to be characterized incorrectly in China just as I would in America.

    What does this mean when I’m out on the street? Well, I’ve made some Chinese people very informed because they asked me sensitive, polite, and honest questions, and I’ve become friends with many Chinese people who have extended such acts of kindness to me, I will believe for that the Chinese are some of the kindest people on Earth. But, on the flip side, I’ve also made some Chinese people lose major face because they were rude assholes hoping to get a laugh out of talking to a ‘savage.’ I’ve made Chinese girls cry because they said the wrong thing on the wrong day to me. I’ve been just as rude as I would to any in America for the same offense. I’m tough because, frankly, I’m outnumbered. And I refuse to be a black apologetic which is what I think Da-Niu wants me to become, always thinking about how I can change the minds of people who aren’t willing to expand their horizons. I make friends with people I can make friends with, and the rest of people: screw them.

    Either way, when my head hits the pillow at night, I’m not worrying about the perception of Africans in China. It’s not MY responsibility to behave differently (it’s not like I can jump out of my skin, for Pete’s sake!), but it’s up to the Chinese to cast aside those misguided and outdated attitudes and realize that the spiritual wealth of a person is not related to a person’s skin color. Until that time comes, I’m “gonna do me.”

    Cheers

    • http://www.lovelovechina.com Crystal

      There is one point with which I agree – that Daniel doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.
      But his attitude must be applauded rather than discouraged.

  • Peter

    Daniel,

    Oh I remember the days of being a young, green-eyed chap such as yourself, believing that my optimistic approach, though brightly lit at the time and on the world would never diminish.

    Of course after moving to a small town before highschool, becoming more involved with local charities for the homeless in college and finally moving to China 2+ years ago, my whole world changed. Let me first say that i love people and the world still, but at this point in my life, i’m a bit more of a realist and i ask you to be before you venture into China.

    There are good and bad people anywhere you go in the world, but the way China looks at the world is very, very different from most countries, 2nd/3rd rate or not. China is a nationalist society to the very bone and as long as the people remain homogeneous, that will never change. Is that bad, being a nationalist society? No. I used to think how great of a people African Americans’ might have been if they had followed ideas about forming their own nation and becoming completely separate from Whites. That idea quickly changed after coming to China and realizing how even more damaging that would’ve been.

    Regardless of what my fellow previous posters might have said before me; China loves 4 things:

    Their tight-knit communities

    The White man, who they strive every day to be like.

    Copying Ideas and making useless off brands that don’t work

    Lady Gaga.

    I’ve had some grand experiences in the 2+ years that I’ve been here but don’t get it twisted and tell yourself that the White man isn’t king of Asia. If you are white, you might get stared at impolitely but they will never refuse you into their society. The Black man has a lot of catching up to do but unfortunately for us, we will never be appreciated simply for what we are: Human Beings.

    The media controls what images they see and those images show powerful white men with extraordinary jobs, skills, etc with us being less than..extremely less than. In big cities around China and HK, The white man’s pictures are everywhere, showcasing them as rich, wealthy, stable and secure in every way. You think a Spike Lee or Tyler Perry movie comes here? We’re lucky to get a Denzel film every now and then. movie presence is never-ending and even in HK, they have white news anchors on their popular new channels.

    China’s policy on hiring Blacks is a strong one: Don’t hire them. If you ARE hired, its because that business IS progressive or they simply wouldn’t have ever thought a black man would have came to China in this profession.

    China and its people are extremely rude and ill-mannered. They pick their noses and wipe them everywhere, have their kids poop/pee on the street in broad daylight in front of everyone, and anything else you can think of..

    It doesn’t matter if you are in a fancy suit, dress nice, well mannered, polite, chinese speaking Black dude. YOU ARE STILL A BLACK MAN and Black men will ALWAYS be at the bottom of the barrel, especially in China.

    Thanks to our western media, as well as smaller factors. Whites got to China first. Can’t hate on them for knowing how to take over the world. It would’ve been us if we knew how to work together.

    Derek is right on in saying that its not your job in proving that you are a normal human being. Unfortunately for us here and you if you come here, it’ll be your 24/7 job as well. When and if you come, you have to be tough.

    Also they’ve got the worst music taste of any people on this earth. Ok now i’m being hateful.

    • Patrick

      Peter – totally with you on the Lady Gaga thing

  • China Shark Mike

    Peter, dead on the money, unfortunately that is the way of the world. Changing Chinese views on discrimination. Good luck with that. Just like in America light skin blacks do not prefer the darker skin ones. In fact check out that old school Spike Lee joint School Daze. I’m approaching my 22nd consecutive months here in Shenzhen. Hell, you are right Peter you do need to be tough as nails even to survive as a white guy. A lot of Chinese had tried to screw me out of money or cheat me every chance they get. Oh, stupid foreigner does not know this scam. Never seen so many lame low level vagrants in my life as in this city. They rent babies out to dirty filthy people to illicit sympathy money {handout}. My friend remarked that he noticed the baby was different than last week. At one point this 50 year Chinese woman was acting like she was lactating thus trying to fill her poor baby’s mouth. Female menopause mean anything???

  • China Shark Mike

    Crystal agree 100% we to encourage Daniel yet prepare him for the reality of present day China. I’ve changed a lot of my opinions since I moved here. I totally feel what Peter states about Chinese in general. When I first moved here I was all bushytailed and optimistic yet now become the proverbial cynic to survive.

    • Patrick

      I can understand the points, but some (many) of the racist things mentioned here happen to all laowai, I almost got skewered by a jerk two years ago in because he thought my Chinese friend was my girlfriend. He just didn’t approve. We’ve all paid too much for something, been liked or disliked. Without a doubt people of African descent have to deal with it more – especially if their educated, gay and fashionable.

      I’m not green and haven’t been for years and I find it easy to flip between being easy going and cynical myself sometimes but when i begin to start to really get down I tend t think of the people who have been kind when I’ve made serious misjudgments – and didn’t realize it until much later.

      Someone said it earlier – this isn’t America – very true, racism comes in more colors than skin – so does ignorance. Ignorance can be brutal and also innocent and by some of the comments I have heard from Chinese – many were fairly innocent, “Are black people mostly criminals?” Yes, that can get us angry, embarrassed or many other useless emotions. But consider their sources of information – Hollywood. Younger kids almost always admire Kobe Bryant. Personally I don’t know if he’s worthy or not – not a sports guy myself.

  • Shanghai Goat

    Best part of being black in China: Watching the look on the face of a Chinese women when she realizes that you can understand what she’s saying about you, after you point out to her friends “No problem, I know your friend is uneducated and has the mind of a peasant.” It NEVER gets old!

  • http://www.shanghaioutlandish.com deji odunlami

    Really interesting discussion.
    I am green to China and kinda still pretty upbeat, but then again I am that type of person. Although I would say that I still have a healthy dose of realism as well.

    I’ve just moved to Shanghai from London. I love the place, very vibrant city and maybe with the World expo on at the moment people are used to seeing more foreigner around. I still get looks especially from young kids but I will just smile back and wave.
    I guess the thing is even coming from London I’ve always felt that I’m an outsider, especially outside of London around rest of UK. I’m always representing ‘black people’ where ever I go. I tend not to worry about it and I try to just generally be myself. I normally find it more difficult to be honest when I meet people who have the stereotype of the cool black popular black dude and expect me to fill that role. I’m not that.
    If people say things that are ignorant then I put it down to ‘their’ ignorance which I able to forgive more. If someone is being out and out racist or really trying to cause offence then that’s different.

    Anyway I think the thing that help me being out here are:
    1) My Job – I’m a teacher, a maths teacher at that. Seems to be a respected profession out here.

    2) I have a ready network built from colleges at school and other internationals in the city – I did come to China to learn more about the culture and meet Chinese people but I’m well aware that it can be hard for any foreigner to make real friendships with Chinese, let alone myself with the extra preconceptions that having black skin can have. That being said I have met a guy on my first day of arriving here that I would consider to be a friend. He has been ridiculously helpful to me and has made a massive difference to my settling in.

    3) I am learning Chinese – it does make a difference to people and how they interact with you.

    I have had one notable experience that was to do with the colour of my skin since being in China, and that was the extra time that it take for me to get through passport control. I was asked question upon question until I pointed out my white college who had taken the same flight and was stood waiting for me. On her confirmation that we were going to be working in the same school I was immediately let through ( I had actually forgotten this incident until just now).
    I have had plenty of positive experience since being here, like the guy that I would consider to be a good friend. He has been possible the most helpful guy I have met and has made a real difference to my settling in here.
    I already know that I could never settle in China for the very reason that bought me here. The culture (cultures) is very strong and I would never feel at home in anyway. Would be nice to meet a Chinese girl but she would have to be pretty cool with loosing some of her ties to get together with a foreigner. There are over a billion people here so I still have hope.

    I could waffle on and not make much of a point, so… Daniel you seem like a very positive and open guy with a real interest in China. If you can take the rough with the smooth, balance expectations a little and keep abundant positivity then I think you will have a great time here if you ever come over. It kinda goes the same for getting a potential Chinese girlfriend.
    I’m blogging about my experience out here on http://www.shanghaioutlandish.com. You can check it out for more waffle.

    • http://www.lovelovechina.com Crystal

      Your comment sounds as a good summary of what has been said above: having a positive attitude without illusions. I am sure that if Daniel uses your approach, he won’t get disappointed/frustrated (as some people seemingly did).

  • Sandy

    I’m a black lady here in Shenzhen on business. As I have gone from company to company looking for trustworthy folks to work with, I havent once come across a fellow black person. When I walk through the streets and malls I see jaw dropping expressions and strange looks. Its totally uncomfortable…. but in an instant they want to do business with me because I am a buyer. I feel so lonely whenever I come here… and I feel so different. The language barrier is terrible and my so called interpreter just doesnt cut it. I would love to have a coffee with a fellow person of black origin just so that I can have a conversation without having to explain a million times what I want to say. If you’re interested in an honest cup of coffee with me drop an email smura21@yahoo.com

  • Peter

    Daniel, if you really wanted to check out asia, I think maybe you should consider Japan. I really, really think you’d enjoy what they have to offer more..

    If you do decide on China, man God Bless you..

  • Peter

    and dude, don’t ever ask what you can and cant have. Thats the problem with dark skin folks all over. They think they aren’t good enough to have certain things. Dude just get it! Don’t concern yourself with anything else. You want a Chinese chick, you flash that smile and show off that personality. You’ll be fine.

  • Nick Tao

    Hi daniu，I am Chinese and a college student in Sichuan,not far from where Crystal is from.I am glad you are quite optimistic with your study here in China and I appreciate your great opinion over stereotype.”don’t go to China if you’re black” is definitely not a right conclusion.Most Chinese are not racists and most people will absolutely pay you back if you are really friendly to them.So remember,being friendly and caring will do you lots of good and maybe bring you a Chinese girl.

  • gladys

    hey nice 2 meet u daniel.
    I come from hong kong .there are some black guys right here in hong kong .I dont know how they think about black guys in china,however hong kong people will not have any prejudge or anything ( i hope so )
    I love your article ..u are very nice
    i go to united states every summer n I also got a lot of fd who r black ..they are awesome n nice.
    anyway god bless u ..

  • http://pcdrisin.com Hu Yang

    Nin Hao Da Niu,
    I have read most of the comments presented to you post. I can safely say that the Peoples Republic of China is an amazing place. Yes, there is a lot of misconceptions that occur. The best thing to do when visiting the PRC is to leave the “peasants” alone. These are the poor and uneducated who boast of how great China is and still live in squalor. They are just like the “trailer park trash” and “ghetto fabulous” in the United States.
    True there are many misconceptions on all sides. I first visited the PRC in December o 2005. I was an invited guest of several Chinese businessmen and an American and Chinese trade association. Some Chinese believe all African Americans are either actors or athletes and rich. While others believe that some of us are of the criminal element.
    But suffice it to say. You will have a lot of explaining to do. It helps greatly to know early and current Chinese culture. Although I did not speak Putonghua, the Chinese that I did meet were amazed at the depth of my knowledge of current Chinese culture especially the political and business climate. And they pleasantly amazed that I use chop sticks and eat left handed. Something about good luck.
    Da Niu, the best advice I can give you is to be yourself and to be very respectful. Don’t run around dressed in hip hop wear. I comfortable pair of shoes, a dress shirt, sports shirt, and dress pants gets you a lot of respect and good service especially in Beijing and Tianjin.
    There a lot of Chinese who have been expecting African Americans to come to the PRC for business and recreation ever since Commerce Secretary Ron Brown visited China during the Clinton Presidency. And a lot of stereotypes especially in the area of business are due to the misinformation disseminated by the American Chamber of Commerce.
    One of my Chinese hosts asked me why Blacks were not coming to China to do business. I told him that we did not have one million dollars or 7 million renminbi to spend. He laughed profusely. And he asked me who told me that lie. I showed him the American Chamber of Commerce website dealing with doing business in China.
    He promptly told me if I had $1500 to spend I would be treated like a king in Beijing. I have had several friends to visit China to conduct business and to get a wife. All have been very successful. Knowing and respecting another’s culture goes a long way.
    Learn how to greet, how to render complements, and how to be gracious. Da Niu, if you go to the PRC by yourself, enquire over here to get a good interpreter to meet you at the airport. Since the Olympics, many Chinese and all of the taxi drivers in Beijing speck very good American English. But they do get the slang wrong.
    If you are a college student studying some technical major, you will be warmly excepted as a part of the elite class. I was in Beijing with two other African Americans. One was a very light skinned Nigerian who received his Doctorate in International Marketing from Princeton University. Another was the Vice President of Mechanical Engineering of the engineering firm in which he was a founding partner. And I am a retired Civil Engineer, (I retired at age 41), and software writer and company owner.
    We three were wearing jogging suits entered a club with our host. The DJ promptly stopped playing and started to pack up his equipment. When I asked why, he stated that he believed that we were there to replace him. I told him that we were business owners visiting China. He announced it to the crowd in the Club. We were treated as celebrities all night long.
    Traveling through Beijing and Tianjin, we were always treated with respect except when approached by peasants begging for money. Never give any money to a beggar; you will become a marked man.
    Da Niu, here are my tips for a great time in China:
    1. Never make direct eye contact on the subway. If you do everybody will try to sell you something.
    2. Bow slightly to all you meet when greeting them. If they are older or someone of import, you should bow slightly lower that they.
    3. If giving or receiving a business card, graciously bow and grasp or give the business card with both hands.
    4. In an open market, always haggle over the price. In the end accept a fair offer. This will win you many friends and admirers.
    5. If you are overweight, many Chinese associate obesity with great wealth. Do not over spend.
    6. Be sure and purchase an inexpensive gift for your hosts.
    7. If you know that your hosts have little kids, buy little red envelops in the United States. Put in a few renminbi in a separate envelop for each child. Remember a renminbi or yuan is equal to about 15 cents.
    8. Any above all have a good time, eat little meat, drink plenty of tea, and eat plenty of vegetables. Their meat storage practices are not as sanitary as the United States.

    I wish you well. And travel to Beijing is much less expensive if you arrange through an Chinese travel agency in the United States. (Check prices on-line to have a strong negotiation position).

    Zaijian, hao yundao
    Hu Yang

  • Daniel Cooper

    Hu Yang thanks a lot for the comment, and thanks to everyone else who has also commented, first, I will probably be going to study in china for a year starting in August (thanks to my college for being somewhat helpful) and I now have a better understanding of what to expect; a few things I would like to say, first(and this will sound crazy) but I am interested to find out this so called racism in China, because I have more chinese friends than other friends, and I go to chinatown in NYC A LOT and they were surprised that I never encountered any type of racism in the city, granted it is America so I wasn’t expecting it, but they have seen it happen to people before, I also recently found out that my family is interracially mixed with caucasian at one point or another, and I have lived in various communities, even went to schools where 2% of the population was black, I say this because I am thick-skinned and I am curious to see what it is like, I hear about world-wide racism, but have never experienced it, I get a lot of praise in chinatown because of the limited chinese I speak, and because I got a chinese newspaper??? (the cover was rather interesting looking) so I say thank you to everyone who has commented, and I don’t think I will have many problems in China, and everything will be a new experience ^_^

  • Hu Yang

    Congratulations!! :lol: I guarantee that you will have a lot of fun studying in China. Much of what people are calling racism is more of xenophobia. The fear of the unknown. Because you speak putonghua, you will not see or experience much racism.
    Da Niu, I was born in 1955. I have traveled to 34 of the 50 states. I have encountered racism from the ignorant and poor trash. Yet, in many of these instances, there were quite a few Caucasians my age and older who were apologetic for the misbehavior of their less intelligent brethren.
    Even as the first African American professional engineer to work for the Ga. Department of Transportation, I found out that a lot of the racists kept to themselves and did not trouble me. Except for the time I was in the construction unit and several made little nooses out of the chords of the blinds and left burnt crosses made from pops-icicle sticks on my desk and in my office.
    Yet, to combat this racism, I made a display called the whiteman’s wood burning stove, (of course the stove was completely fabricated of wood and highly flammable), and I told off color jokes about WASPS and other Caucasoid groups. The racism that I encountered immediately stopped.
    Da Niu, I have found out once I let that particular racist know that I had no interest in their daughter or living in their neighborhood, the mean spiritness subsided on their part. A thick skin and a good sense of humor goes a long way in combating racism.
    So I say good luck and keep in touch. I will be in Mainland China later this year. Maybe we can hook up for some tea and play a little Mahjong.

  • http://www.shanghaioutlandish.com Dej

    Cool Daniel, pleased to hear it. If you end up in Shanghai then definitely let me know.
    Great advice Hu Yang.

  • Patrick

    Ditto Daniel on the invite – I’m in Suzhou a friendly less glitzy neighbor to Shanghai.

  • China Shark Mike

    Daniel, great to hear that nothing will deter your journey in life. If you don’t acknowledge the racism it means nothing to the ignorant masses. Only real thing Chinese respect is the dollar bill. Not to shatter your illusions yet New York city is about the most progressive cosmopolitan city in the world. It ranks right up there with London and Paris. This here is major third world, I got a bottle smashed on my face and head drinking with some lowlifes after leaving a friend over some comments about how much I love Chinese girls. Granted I was tanked after leaving KTV but still all foreigners are resented here. I’m the clever white monkey, half the reason they cajole or party with me is to show off to thier friends. Take sage advice from the ones that have been living here for years. Dude, see if you’re university does any type of foreign exchange students. I’m sure a lot of Chinese universities would kill to internship students to the west. It’s all about how attitude. I’m reviled and revered yet always will be China Shark. You’re really finding out and persuing this thing when you are still relatively young. First time I realized I loved Asian women was when I was 30 yrs and just moved to Japan. Personally, if I was you I would start sending out SAT scores to the universities in China. You live here and educate yourself here the world could be your oyster. :shock:

  • Carlyy

    I am a chinese gurl and i have dated a black american boy in my college (in Ohio) before, and i have to say i absolutely <33 black ppl & culture. There are ppl who doesn't like black like some of my friends in China, but they r just ignorant, i think because they are not used to seeing/being with a black. I used to be one of them as well, but once i get to know a black person, my view has changed- now all i go for is black guys lol.

    • Patrick

      Ha ha, great so we get to the sweeping generalization of “Once you go black you never go back”. Everyone has their likes, I can’t talk I suppose, I love my Chinese wife.

  • I’m just interested ^.^

    My mom is Japanese and my dad is AA, they met at a doughnut shop in Japan. My mother was worried that her father would say that she couldn’t marry my dad. Surprisingly her dad said whatever makes you happy or…. as long as he makes you happy. :) I don’t understand why some people are worried, I found out that some parents worry when their kids get tans while swimming, of course my mother don’t mind :) I never sunscreen that summer ^.^
    I got a big tan and my mom laughed. So, I don’t really matter. Nothing like that should be illegal in any country.

  • Brygiles

    How did I get here? I paid attention to my soul, and realized my soul mate would possibly be a Chinese girl; so I decided to check out what people think about AA getting married to or dating Chinese.

    First, I like to address the issue about races or colors: anyone who expresses prejudice towards another because of his or her race is a total ignoramus- such a person is oblivious to life’s beauty and sacredness.

    Having said that, when you visit any country, you might as well take a few hours to explore the penitentiary there; so you can realize that crime isn’t something predominated by a specific race-  every race has extremely crazy criminals. Visit the USA prison to confirm this. 

    I am an AA, who resides in Malaysia at the moment. I dated a Chinese girl before, but the relationship didn’t last long because she was more worried about her parents’ reaction if they found out about us. Because of this, we couldn’t spend enough time together to grow our relationship. Her Dad even warned her specifically not to ever associate with AA’s. That’s pretty disturbing.

    We dated for about a year +, and now I can confidently say that Chinese girls are very neat, sexy, caring, beautiful, and trustworthy (fidelity). Unless God wants something else for me,  I do believe that my wife will definitely be a Chinese girl. – It doesn’t even matter what anyone says about it. As long as we truly love each other.

  • knowchina.org

    I am AA. I can say i have lots of these Chinese girls leaping around me for marriage. Colors makes less sense. Personality counts
     

  • Rh

    why do you come all the way to china just for girl? arent your kind just inferior? prefer other women over your kind? what ignorant is this? do you think you are good or something? let alone that your facial features are nit worth to us