In Asia, white skin is in / Photo William Wang

Over the last few decades, Western nations have tried to become a “post racial society.”

We try to look past skin color, ban discrimination, and teach tolerance. From our birth we are taught that everyone is equal and everyone deserves the same chance.

Even if we don’t always live up to our ideals, we still strive to reach them.

When I traveled to Asia and lived in Thailand, I was shocked to see so much “racism.” They loved whiteness. The whiter your skin the better you were.

From Korea to Japan to Thailand, dark skinned people are looked down upon. Everyone strives to be white- every skin product has whitening in it and everyone strives stays out of the sun.

It was the complete opposite for us in the West, where coming back from a vacation with a tan was considered a priority.

The Importance Of White?

While visiting the region, I was always shocked to hear people talk about how ugly black skin is, and how important it is to be white.

I’d constantly admonish my students about off color jokes only to have the another student waive me off “No, no, it’s OK. I am black and ugly.”

Another student later made it clear: “In the west, you always worry about color. You have a racism problem but here we just accept it. We don’t care.”

There’s a creation story in Thailand. In the beginning god created man. At first, he cooked the people too much (dark skinned people). Then he cooked them too little (pasty westerners). Finally, he cooked them just right (light skinned Asians).

When I first heard this story, it only reinforced my belief in a racist Asia. It wasn’t until later I learned about the cultural and class context and then I saw this “racism” in a different light.

In countries where “whiteness” is preferred, you’d think there would be racial tensions but there aren’t. In Asia, there are no race riots, no KKK, no nationalist parties, and no race based organizations.

Historically, dark skin was associated with people who worked in the fields (also known as the poor). The upper class stayed indoors and in the shade. Asian countries look down on dark skin not because of racism but because they don’t want to be perceived as poor.

Question Of Class

In Asia, it’s good to be white. TV stars are white. Models are white. Everyone is airbrushed until they look like ghosts. But I wouldn’t call them racist.

To them it’s not about race or ethnicity it is about class. If someone from the West promotes whiteness, it’s racist. “Oh you can’t do that. People will be offended.”

But in Asia, it is different. Dark skin is poor, white skin is rich. They promote whiteness because no one wants to be perceived as poor. In Thailand, I saw plenty of dark skinned people in high ranking jobs- their current prime minister is dark skinned.

While they prefer white skinned, they don’t look at a dark skinned person and think “they are less of a person.” The same is true all over Southeast Asia. Driving a BMW in the West says you’re rich and classy; in Asia, the color of your skin says it.

In the West we obsess over discrimination as we try to live in a post-race world.

Yet the more anti-discrimination laws we pass, the more politically correct we get, the more uncomfortable with race we become.

Same Same, But Different

We see everything as black, white, or yellow.

The more we try to make race a non-issue the more of an issue it becomes. We may consider it racism but to Asians it’s not about race. Skin color is laughed and joked about in a way we find hard to understand. It still can make me uncomfortable.

Maybe we should take a cue from Asia. Maybe if we want to become a post racial world we need to stop worrying about race.

I’m not naïve enough to think Asia is a utopia. Discrimination does occur in Asia. But there it is more about questions of class rather than pure skin color.

When you stop making something an issue, it suddenly stops being one. Then we can all sit back and laugh and just enjoy each other- regardless of skin color.

What do you think about racism in Southeast Asia? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo by wajakemek

Cuba. Syria. North Korea. Myanmar. China.

You’ve heard the names and the stories. Their governments are abhorred by the international community for being repressive, authoritative, and sometimes bloody.

They limit access to information, movement, and education. They limit the freedoms of their people and hoard the country’s wealth while their people suffer in poverty.

Since Cyclone Nargis and the chaos in Tibet, world attention on these countries has become more sharply focused.

As I recently wrote about Tibet, boycotting China only encourages a hard line. The same is also true for these repressive countries. Boycotting only hurts the locals and keeps these regimes in power by limiting the people’s access to the information that may foster change.

Should we travel to these places? Will our travel, however tightly controlled, help the people or the government in power?

This is a complex and personal issue but, in my opinion, the benefits of traveling to these countries outweigh the negatives.

Travelers expose the people who suffer under repressive governments to ideas they can’t otherwise access. Depriving them of that information keeps them uninformed and helps the government to continue its stranglehold. A vibrant travel industry can also bring money they desperately need to survive.

People are understandably worried that their travel might be viewed as support for the government but by avoiding these countries.

Can we travel without supporting the government? Yes, here’s how:

Avoid government run organizations.

Governments have their hands in all the cookie jars. They run bus services, tourist offices, tours, hotels, and most everything else. It can be difficult to avoid them but it can be done. Find an operation not owned by the government, no matter how bad, and go there. Look for independent people offering rooms, rides, or guides. Support them.

Donate.

Give money to aid organizations in the country, temples, schools, or other charities that help the people directly.

Love thy neighbor.

Be kind, be gentle, be polite. Doing so will show the locals you aren’t the “boogie man” government propaganda makes you out to be. It will help counter the government propaganda machine. It will show them that the outside world isn’t so scary.

Volunteer.

This is the best way to offer direct assistance. Build a house, teach children, or help the sick. Whatever you do, it will be appreciated and directly improve the lives of the local inhabitants. Helping through Volunteer tourism will last longer than money and give the people something they can use years to come.

Follow the rules.

Following the rules is extremely important. Not only does this keep you out of trouble, but it also helps counter the propaganda that all foreigners are trouble makers. Governments would love to parade you around as a rabble rouser. Don’t give them that chance! It gives them an excuse to tighten their grip and further limit freedoms, movement, and information.

Tip generously.

They need that dollar more than you do. As a backpacker, I know how a tight budget feels, but the victims of years of repressive policies need the cash more than you. By donating to them, you help improve their lives directly as well as show them a kindness they normally don’t see.

Travel shouldn’t only be about expanding your own mind, but also the minds of the locals you meet – and everyone is entitled to that opportunity.

Don’t punish the people of these countries because their governments are repressive – go and show them that there’s a bright world out there…and we want them to be a part of it!

Do you think traveling to repressed countries is better than boycotting them? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo by Shapeshift

Amid the violence of Tibet, a debate has emerged in the west: Should we boycott the Beijing Olympic Games?

Protesters in Paris disrupted the torch relay forcing officials to extinguish the torch 5 times. Similar incidents happened when they lit the Olympic torch in Greece and London.

There is talk in the United States of boycotting the opening ceremonies, Germany is talking about boycotting the whole event, and many groups are calling for the general populace and for athletes to boycott the event altogether.

All of this is designed to “shame” China on their human rights record and thereby cause enough embarrassment that China will be forced to change their ways in order to seem credible on the world stage.

Will this be successful? Should we politicize this sporting event? Will we really push China in a new direction?

The answer, I believe, is a resounding NO.

While China certainly needs to improve its human rights, boycotting the Olympics will not get them to do so. Those who believe it will lack a complete understanding of Chinese psychology and history.

The Prism Of History

China strongly maintains a policy of staying out of people’s affairs. They believe it’s no one’s place to tell them how to live their life and thereby take great offense when people tell them what to do.

Nationalist pride is at stake and they won’t be seen as bowing to foreign pressure.

Over the years, the Chinese government has stoked nationalism as a way to legitimatize itself amid a diminishing communist system. That is why in recent years there have been severe Chinese protests in response to what the Chinese people see as foreign pressure.

To them, the Olympics are a matter of honor. It is a matter of national pride, and they view western calls for a boycott as just another example of Western interference in China.

Chinese history is filled with incidents in which the West has subjugated China, and they still harbor a lot of resentment about this past.

Issues like Tibet and Taiwan are seen through the prism of historical events like the Opium Wars and partitioning of places like Hong Kong and Macau.

Any talk of what “China must do” only increases their resistance and hardens their position. Chinese youth have been educated in this system and, watching the news, one understands why they are behind the furor.

The Chinese government has raised a generation on nationalism. To them, this is just another example of Western interference and hypocrisy.

Starting A Dialogue

Photo by Yves

China entered the world through engagement in the 1970s and will only reform through further engagement.

The most effective action is to go, talk, and get the Chinese people involved. If there is both internal and external pressure, you might get some change.

The Chinese government is always more willing to work a deal when it is done behind closed doors. Saving face and avoiding shame is a must for a government who legitimizes itself through nationalistic pride.

If the people feel they caved, they lose all credibility making maintaining stability even harder to achieve. The government will never risk such an outcome.

If the Olympics are a disaster and China views the debacle as the West once again trying to control their affairs, China will only become more resistant to working with the West on other global issues.

We can’t let that happen. China is too important – we need them on climate change, Darfur, and Iran.

A Slap In The Face

Looking at Chinese history will show you how they will act now. Chinese leaders are pragmatic. They need to be perceived as a global player and have done things in the past to change, albeit slowly.

However, they also know they have a population of 1.4 billion that wakes up each day and needs to be fed and cared for. Their first goal is stability – and they won’t risk stability for global recognition.

I don’t agree with many of China’s policies. I think they should do more on Darfur, talk to the Dalai Lama, and reduce abuses within their borders.

But the Chinese want to be taken seriously. They have come a long way from the China of Mao and one can’t expect a democracy that took Western civilization a thousand years to appear in thirty. We have prodded them this far and this is their way of showing the world they have arrived.

Boycotting the Olympics, an event the Chinese see as their coming out party, will only be viewed as a slap in the face.

So don’t boycott the Olympics. Go and spread ideas. Interact with the people. Dispel myths about westerners, show them they are respected, that we can work together.

Then you’ll begin change China. From the bottom up.

Should the international community boycott China? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo by Pocket Aces

I play a lot of poker. Too much, actually, but that’s another story.

It was while playing poker at the Amsterdam casino that I met Greg. He was a friendly local, and upon hearing my travel tales, offered to show me around Amsterdam.

We had only known each other for about 5 minutes, but here I was, being offered an intimate tour.

I was a little disarmed by Greg’s exuberance and friendliness. Here was this guy, losing money to me, now suddenly eager to show me the city.

I had only been on the open road for a short time. My American cynicism was still strong. I recalled stories about locals ripping off travelers – and so, with Greg’s Euros sitting on the poker table in front of me, I graciously declined his invitation.

A few days later though, I saw Greg again and we talked. He said he ran a poker club and told me I could come by any time.

Start Of A Friendship

Greg was a regular at the casino and everyone there knew him. People assured me he wasn’t out to rip me off, and I should take him up on his offer of a tour. A few of them were going out later that night for drinks.

Sadly, I was leaving for Spain the next morning and had to rise early for my flight.

“I thought you were here for a while?” he said.

“I was. I was here for a week. That’s a long time in this city!” I replied. “I wish I could stay longer but I have a flight booked. I’ll be back sometime though.”

Greg wished me luck and gave me his card.

As it turned out, before I knew it, I felt the lure of the city call me. In Spain, all I could think about was Amsterdam, so I canceled my Spain plans and returned.

This time Greg and I became good friends during my extended stay. I saw him often in the poker room and he would always invite me back to his place for late night games.

It was through him that I met many locals and had a “Dutch experience” in Amsterdam. I was introduced to the local bars and restaurants, to Dutch food, and Dutch hangouts.

Greg took me around and showed me the city. I met another close friend through him. Greg opened the city to me and his kindness made my stay in Amsterdam worthwhile.

An Unexpected Turn

Photo by Jimmy Ok

Soon it was time to leave. I went to the casino to say goodbye. Greg hadn’t been answering his phone and I figured I’d find him in the poker room.

Sadly, he wasn’t in the casino that day, and I left without saying goodbye. I told my friends to tell him I’d be back and that “my money was coming back with me!”

Sadly, I wouldn’t get that chance. A few weeks after I left, three men entered Greg’s poker club and, as they robbed his house, shot him.

I only knew Greg for a month but in that time he changed my impressions of people. His friendliness and welcoming attitude were disarming.

On the road, you put your guard up to avoid bad situations, yet at the same time you want to be open and meet the locals. Interacting with locals is a constant struggle to find the right balance.

Open Your Eyes

Greg showed me that there was no reason to always be on your guard – that sometimes people are just being friendly. I take that lesson (and his card) with me wherever I go.

Greg epitomized the idea that travel is about who you meet, not where you go. I could have met him in any city in any country in any time, and he still would have treated me like he had known me for years.

When you meet others who fill your day with excitement and joy, nothing about the place really matters.

That was Greg. Greg was the local we all hope to meet. The person who has the key to the city’s door and is willing to open it and usher you inside.

I’ve met many people like Greg since that time in Amsterdam, and I see a little of Greg in all of them. But it was Greg who showed me it was OK to make that first, trusting step.

I’m not sure where Greg is now, but wherever he went, I know he left an impression on many people. He left one on me.

Have you met that special local who opened their city to you? Share your experiences in the comments!