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Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

economist.com

41–50 of 92 posts

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#41
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure how factual reporting on what is in China is invalidated as China bashing because similar phenomena occur elsewhere on the planet? Aka the what aboutism logical fallacy.

It's not whataboutism, I'm saying that this is perfectly normal and therefore I don't think it's valid criticism of China in particular.

I don't think it's intended to be criticism of China in particular. "Common thing happens in China, here are the details" is interesting news for some people.

For example, I was aware that Northeasterners are seen as a distinct group, but not in terms of external rejection, but rather internal cohesion, e.g. when one of my friends joked that hearing the Northeastern accent of his taxi driver made him feel almost at home.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#42
For how "homogeneous" China is considered, regions often define people more than ethnicity or racial groups. A common greeting that most people ask is "Where are you from?" Both migrant workers and the growing middle class now have the ability to travel anywhere in the country to further their futures.

Back in the 70s or even the 90s this mixing of people was pretty much unheard of. Shanghai culture was only in Shanghai while the rest of the country was their own little thing. Only recently have the people and culture of the country begun to mix.

The grouping of everyone in China into Han Chinese is a simplification IMO. A person from the Northern regions of China can't even speak to a person from the Southern region while the culture of every part of the country is drastically different and would make the differences between Americans look miniscule.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#43

You should hear what people say about people that were born and raised in the US South. Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks.

Do people from the South (that aren't a part of traditionally discriminated groups) get discriminated against actively because of their birthplace? Does Joe Redneck lose jobs because he was born in Georgia rather than California? What do those Southerners say about people like me living in San Francisco, CA? Not trying to be aggressive, I just want to know why you think the cultural discrimination against white South…

> What do those Southerners say about people like me living in San Francisco, CA?

You're generalizing people here. You can't say that a group of individuals 'say' anything about you without generalizing them.

> Does Joe Redneck lose jobs because he was born in Georgia rather than California?

First, that's a disparaging term, and it shouldn't be used in polite discourse.

Do you agree, that southerners are perceived to be more racist, sexist, or homophobic by some people? Do you believe this perception could create a negative bias towards those people?

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do people from the South (that aren't a part of traditionally discriminated groups) get discriminated against actively because of their birthplace? Does Joe Redneck lose jobs because he was born in Georgia rather than California? What do those Southerners say about people like me living in San Francisco, CA? Not trying to be aggressive, I just want to know why you think the cultural discrimination against white South…

He's just whining.

I'm pointing out how easy it is to pick on other cultures, when if we really stop and try to be reflective of ourselves, can we say this is something we don't do here in the US (and wherever else)?

"Oh, those people from place X don't like people from place Y!"

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#45
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure how factual reporting on what is in China is invalidated as China bashing because similar phenomena occur elsewhere on the planet? Aka the what aboutism logical fallacy.

It's not whataboutism, I'm saying that this is perfectly normal and therefore I don't think it's valid criticism of China in particular.

That is exactly what a what aboutism is.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#46

You should hear what people say about people that were born and raised in the US South. Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks.

>Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks...

This is the US. Here, it's perfectly acceptable to pick on everyone. From blacks, and handicapped people, to bankers, and frat boys. You can discriminate against whoever you like here. At least in the jokes and social situations.

You should hear what they say about blacks, or greedy bankers, or frat boys, or women they call "gold diggers", or jews, or hispanics, or white people, or cops, or etc etc etc.

That's the great thing about America, you can say whatever you like.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have put more than 1 million Uighur muslims in camps, but go off

Was that mentioned in the article? I'm not an economist subscriber so I only read the free blurb.

The complete article text is actually contained in the page source...

Discrimination against ethnic minorities is only mentioned in a single sentence, to serve as contrast for the actual topic of the article.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#48
post #46

You should hear what people say about people that were born and raised in the US South. Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks.

> Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks... This is the US. Here, it's perfectly acceptable to pick on everyone . From blacks, and handicapped people, to bankers, and frat boys. You can discriminate against whoever you like here. At least in the jokes and social situations. You should hear what they say about blacks, or gre…

Unless you care about your job, your career, your reputation, your personal safety and that of your loved ones. In that case you should make sure you only target approved groups.

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#49

You should hear what people say about people that were born and raised in the US South. Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks.

Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks. There has been widespread advocacy for this sort of socially acceptable "picking on" in the West and in the United States in recent years. People in the SV/Bay Area tech and creative circles will do this. A few years ago, media people were advocating that we label people "Nazis" and t…

Not meaning to disagree but I want to know what are your suggestions regarding how to combat extremist viewpoints that seriously advocate for genocide (what I assume would get one labeled a nazi). Do you have evidence of nonviolent alternatives that work?

(Again: I'm not saying that violence is the only answer- I genuinely am seeking evidence otherwise as I abhor violence.)

Re: Many Chinese suffer discrimination based on their regional origin

#50
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems in some places, it's perfectly (socially) acceptable to pick on others, as long as you're picking on the 'right' group of folks... This is the US. Here, it's perfectly acceptable to pick on everyone . From blacks, and handicapped people, to bankers, and frat boys. You can discriminate against whoever you like here. At least in the jokes and social situations. You should hear what they say about blacks, or gre…

Unless you care about your job, your career, your reputation, your personal safety and that of your loved ones. In that case you should make sure you only target approved groups.

There are no "approved grouups". What are you talking about?

Are you saying you never hear people talk bad about bankers, or frat boys, or jews, or cops, or blacks, or hispanics, etc etc etc?

Because if so, I call BS.

I also call BS if you try to tell me that everyone you've heard talk bad about, say, bankers or jews, has been fired from their job. Sure, you go up to your boss and tell your jokes about money grubbing jews, or joke about killing cops, and you're likely to not have a job.

But who does that? We all tell jokes in private social situations.

This is America, where everyone is discriminated against. That's reality. Mainly because as "whalesalad" said, "we're tribal people."

This entire idea that there are "approved groups" is nonsense made up by a bunch of people trying to make us think we can't tell jokes about anybody. When it's plainly obvious that we can, we should, and we do.

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