Ariane Sherine is a Londoner
Looking a bit brown still means being asked where you’re from. So here’s a ready-made answer for the overly curious.
Last weekend, I had The Conversation for the 3,897th time – and this time, it took place in central London just two roads away from the hospital where I was born. As usual, it went like this:
Stranger: Where are you from? [Translation: You look a bit brown. Why are you brown?]
Me: London.
Stranger: No, where are you really from? [Translation: You are clearly telling me untruths. Brown people do not come from London.]
Me: London.
Stranger (exasperated): No, where are your parents from? [Translation: Now you're just being obtuse.]
Me: Africa and America.
Stranger (confused): Erm … so where are your family from, like, back in the day? [Translation: People who come from Africa and America do not look like you.]
Me: Iran, India, Africa, America and England.
Stranger (relieved): India and Iran! Do you ever go back?
At this point, I have to explain that it’s hard to go back to somewhere you have never been. I’ve lived in London since I was a zygote, have a London accent and don’t speak any languages except English – yet just because I’m cashew-coloured, I’m often questioned about my heritage.
Continues at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/03/racist-question-brown-answer-curious
Ariane Sherine is a Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association.
I’m not sure that I believe this story, to be honest. Maybe back in the day it was like this, but these days whenever I’m in London, as a Caucasian it’s me who feels like an outsider.
It’s similar for a white British person living abroad. I lived & worked in Europe, the middle east and the far east; in each country I was often asked where I was from (I doubt it’d have been different had I been born in any of those countries). Usually it’s people just showing an interest. As a teacher in a college in an area where there are many different ethnicities, I often ask students where they or their families are from… it helps to learn more about them and their cultures, and also builds a rapport. I call it showing an interest!
I know there are people out there who harbour racist attitudes, but asking where someone (or their family) are from shouldn’t be seen in this way. More tolerance is needed, especially when someone is just showing an interest!
I’m a Ratearian
Have Fun
What’s all the fuss… I’m who ever I’am, me, multie culturel heritage, citizen of the universe.
Q: To Ariane Sherine, I’m shore you hear this daily! Like a date sometime???
I would, if your willing…,