Racism in the Beijinger

Posted Dec 12, 2011 5:09pm by ericsommer

Joined: Feb 26th, 2011
Posts: 6

Hi there, My name is Eric Sommer and I am a university teacher and regular contributor on social, political, and cultural subjects to ChinaDaily. I also happen to be a caucasian. But that does not prevent me from abhoring the racism I see daily on this website, including numerous ads for English teachers bearing words such as: 'Caucasians only'. This kind of racist advertising is stricly illegal in many western countries, and is frowned on in China by government and media alike. I want to write up this issue in ChinaDaily but would first like to get the views of the moderators/owners of this board and of other teachers regarding such practices. As all ads are moderated/screened by thebeijinger before they are displayed, I would specifically like to ask whether thebeijinger approves of racism in advertising or if it is simply not considered when screening ads.

Thanks in advance, Eric Sommer

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Count_zero

Joined: Mar 25th, 2006
Posts: 6,771

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: Count_zero on Dec 12, 2011 5:15pm

> This kind of racist advertising is stricly illegal in many western countries, and is frowned on in China by government and media alike.

Naive...

HuanChu

Joined: Feb 9th, 2006
Posts: 3,096

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: HuanChu on Dec 12, 2011 5:24pm

ericsommer wrote:

This kind of racist advertising is stricly illegal in many western countries, and is frowned on in China by government and media alike.

Can you give us links, to support your claim?

And please explain how such ads, requiring a certain kind of person, are any different to modelling ads, or acting work, or voice recording work, looking for certain people, whether it be of a certain gender, age, height or skin color, because that is the need of the position the are looking to fill.

Also, links to the work you have previously contributed to China Daily, would also be interesting to read.

A very smart man wrote:

Remember, the courage to be wrong is paramount in importance to the ability to be right.

BJnerd

Joined: Feb 7th, 2008
Posts: 343

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: BJnerd on Dec 12, 2011 5:33pm

This is not directly responsive to your questions, but I would recommend that you get your hands on "Understanding Labor and Employment Law in China" by Ronald C. Brown. It has an excellent chapter on hiring discrimination regulation in China.

Newest comments here: http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/new/0

Count_zero

Joined: Mar 25th, 2006
Posts: 6,771

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: Count_zero on Dec 12, 2011 5:45pm

> And please explain how such ads, requiring a certain kind of person, are any different to modelling ads, or acting work, or voice recording work, looking for certain people,

That's an easy one!

If you're looking for an actor to play John Lennon it's alright to turn away a black guy. If you're hiring a teacher, not so much.

Monkey King

Joined: Jun 26th, 2007
Posts: 5,480

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: Monkey King on Dec 12, 2011 5:46pm

This sounds like a grudge post to me.

Also, the name sounds vaguely familiar...

"China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese."
--Charles de Gaulle

RemmyM

Joined: Sep 17th, 2008
Posts: 5,838

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: RemmyM on Dec 12, 2011 5:50pm

THIS... IS... CHIIIIINNAAAAAAAAA!!

Remmy be pimpin' in BJ, yo!

BJnerd

Joined: Feb 7th, 2008
Posts: 343

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: BJnerd on Dec 12, 2011 6:02pm

Regarding the OP's message, however much the public and government "frowns upon" hiring discrimination, the fact is that the current legislation is not very clear on what to do about it. While China recognizes a number of protected statuses (including race), most of the rules only apply to existing employees (i.e. unlawful termination) as opposed to job applicants turned away for having undesirable charactaristics. This is why you tend to need to see outrage in the press before anything changes (e.g. the story about the guy turned away from a government post for being a few inches too short).

Newest comments here: http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/new/0

HuanChu

Joined: Feb 9th, 2006
Posts: 3,096

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: HuanChu on Dec 12, 2011 6:04pm

Count_zero wrote:

> And please explain how such ads, requiring a certain kind of person, are any different to modelling ads, or acting work, or voice recording work, looking for certain people,

That's an easy one!

If you're looking for an actor to play John Lennon it's alright to turn away a black guy. If you're hiring a teacher, not so much.

Fair enough on the example you list. But why only 'older, white male', for a car advert, or 'America voice' for a childrens book?

Schools only want 'white' teachers, because that's what students seemingly want. Is that racism, or just what the market wants?

Perhaps OP should write an article on Chinese peoples racism in general, first...

A very smart man wrote:

Remember, the courage to be wrong is paramount in importance to the ability to be right.

Sciency

Joined: Feb 3rd, 2007
Posts: 3,696

Re: Racism in the Beijinger

Posted by: Sciency on Dec 12, 2011 10:14pm

Racism in the Beijinger CLASSIFIEDS?

*That's* what you're complaining about???

I take you don't read THIS FORUM much.

Stick around, we can provide a much higher volume and quality of racism to gripe about than you could ever dream of getting from the pissant classifieds.

Galaxies don't move Sciency. They're in a fixed position.