Europeans and the others

Europeans and the others

As a European myself I can say, that you will very likely come across racism in Europe. Racism towards anyone that is ‘different’ to the majority. I have lived in Europe for 10 years of my life and going back every so often has gave me the idea of racism being part of the society. Racism happens because of difference, in culture, in the way a person looks, the language they speak etc.

Being ‘different’.

In Poland, where I am from, most of the population is white, if there is a person of a different cultural background or different colour, he or she will stand out and will be looked at. Many times I have seen people in public, that see someone that is of a different colour. People notice that difference straight away. They look at that person, they analyse and start talking about why is the person there, what is he doing, what language does he speak, can he speak Polish etc. People are curious about the difference, they are curious about culture. Unfortunately, this curiosity is easily turned into making jokes, pointing fingers and laughter.

I do not know how it feels to be ‘different’ in Europe. I am only analysing what I have seen but I can say that by looking at the tourists that come to visit Poland, it is clear that when a person that is in any way different, he or she is looked at in a different way. If its either a person of a different skin colour or with cultural clothes, many people are intrigued and they start analysing that person. The everyday situation for a person of a different culture is very different to the local people. From going to the shop to getting a job, the treatment of the person will differ to everyone else, it would be based on the stereotypes that come with a particular cultural background, religion and skin colour.

Media is open to talk about different cultures, which is good but also can bring problems, as many of the talks are based on stereotypes. From what I have noticed, many stand up comedians are including jokes about different culture food, stereotypes and the cultures as a whole.

In the Polish media, people from different countries also enter the entertainment industry and create their own shows on television. They really gain popularity as they are ‘different’ to the majority in the entertainment industry and they produce an interesting and different kind content for the viewers. They use their ‘differentness’ and stereotypes about their culture to entertain.

Taught Racism?

Racism isn’t only conveyed in media buy also in the culture and the teachings.

What I have found really interesting when looking back at what was taught in school back in the day was a poem called “Murzynek Bambo” (Bambo the black child) by Julian Tuwim. This is a poem taught to children, of which I still remember a bit. Murzynek is consider not being offensive word although it is considered discriminatory by some people. This story is about Bambo who studies in an African school. When he returns home he plays around and is told off by his mother. When offered milk, he runs up onto a tree. When he is told to take a bath, he is afraid that he will whiten. The poem ends by saying that it is a pity that ‘black, happy Bambo’ doesn’t go to school with us.

This poem can be quiet controversial, as a kid it is a fun poem but when you grow up, you find a different meaning.

It seems that in a way, people are taught certain things and what to think about others. Racism and small hints of it are all around us. Each country and its people will react differently to other/unknown cultures. Many will base their view of people upon the stereotypes that are provided by the media and the communities.