I think we have to first have to define the difference between prejudice and racism. Prejudice — holding negative beleifs about a group of individuals, and assuming individuals share these characteristics
Racism — the social mechanisms (prejudice, disadvantaging, outright attacks) by which social power is differentiated for groups, and through the dissemination of which a group gains and maintains social dominance
Scenario 1: “Whatever”
Is it discrimination that someone should not distinguish between Taiwan and China, or only politics?
If sb can’t tell the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Korean, is that racism? Unfamiliarity? Laziness?
Is it the same or different situation if, for instance, a Taiwanese person would be like, “Oh, Polish, Russian, it’s about the same?”
Would a Taiwanese person say that though?
Scenario 2: “Chopsticks”
What are the assumptions behind this kind of question:
—personal cultural preference?
—level of exposure to outside cultures?
—competence/incompetence in cultural norms?
Do assumptions/intentions behind actions matter?
Or the feelings resulting from the actions?
Which matters more?
Scenario 3: “Ping Pong”
在歐洲人的想法中，圍繞中國這區塊他們都覺得會打乒乓球，就像他們覺得亞洲人都會功夫一樣，這也是種刻板印象，至少不是負面的，像覺得穆斯林就是IS，吉普賽人就是小偷，黑人就是很愛鬧事等等，跟很多人覺得英國人很有禮貌或很瘋足球，法國人很浪漫不愛工作是一樣的
Is assuming a behaviour or predilection discriminatory? Or just ignorant?
Is using a cultural stereotype to make fun of sb just ignorant or actively hateful?
Are all cultural stereotypes equally harmful? Are some okay?
Scenario 4: “Drop a Spoon”
When is it okay to tell jokes that make fun of other peoples’ culture or other cultural groups’ behaviour?
When people make assumptions and bring up topics like this that make you uncomfortable, when is it better to challenge it, and when is it better to let it go? (hint: your answer is going to be influenced by the assumptions of your current cultural millieu)
Also, if you go about challenging what is said, what is the best way to challenge the assumptions of the people around you?
Finally, let's discuss this quote:
Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance.
—Nathan Rutstein
