Nurtured by economics
I agree completely that modern day racism is not brazen but fairly predictable (‘Speak your mind: Racism,’ Gulf News, May 30). It’s more covert now, especially in a place like the UAE, which is multi cultural, multi ethnic and a tolerant society of Dubai. However, you encounter micro level racism at ground level everyday in the way people of comparatively fairer skin are attended to and conduct themselves at public places like malls and airports.
In my opinion, it stems from the racially superior attitude of people with certain skin tones. This is not to say all white skinned people are racists or that most people of other races seem to think that the white race is somehow superior to theirs.
Racism is a system of discrimination planted by history, nourished by politics and nurtured by economics. I agree, that nobody is born with any racial prejudices, however growing up they see their immediate family and friends indulging in overt and covert racist behaviour like criticising those of different skin colours and suggesting that they rise up in life due to their dark tone of their skin.
Racism adapts to the current political status giving certain nationalities an advantage. As nations that have a political advantage on a world stage, there are the ones whose nationals indulge in micro level racist behaviour in a tolerant society.
Strangely, these same people are quite ok in their home countries as there are strict laws against any form of racist behaviour.
From Mr Amitabh Saxena
Dubai
The flip side
People don’t understand that for most white people, it is not in their mind that white is better, it is in your mind. Sometimes people, like Americans themselves, don’t think they are better, it is the Asians, Arabs and Africans that believe Americans are better, so they pay them more. For example, Asians are dying to come to the US while many Muslim Americans are moving to the Middle East.
From Ms Ayesha Syed
Dubai
Facebook comment
Moving for money
White people are moving to the Middle East because they cannot earn in at home what they are earning here! If one is rich in their own country, there’s no way to move to any other place!
From Mr Intesar Abubqr Benito
Dubai
Not racism
I would not call it racism. Sadly, a country’s might in the international community matters more than individual talents.
From Mr Pravin Sivan
UAE
Facebook comment
Underestimated
Most of the time, Indian talent is underestimated. They are very poor, as the economical situation is bad, while in Europe their government is fine. Just because most famous people come from Europe doesn’t mean poorer countries don’t have any advantages and talent.
From Ms Melrita Cyriac
UAE
Facebook comment
Overcoming racism
Debate without any conclusions or actions are useless. We all know racism is everywhere and it can’t be simply removed but people with true wisdom can overcome the racist feelings.
From Mr Sumeet Punjabi
UAE
Skin colour vs nationality
We are in the twenty-first century, we are saying that we are modern and still, we are discussing racism because it is present in the world. Now racism is tied with nationality. All over world, people first observed the skin colour then would find out the nationality before any judgement. I think white people, with some particular nationalities, are getting much better positions in the job market. Racism is in our mind and it cannot be removed. We all love to see ourselves with white skin, so in the shops there are lots of skin-whitening creams available. Even some people use dangerous chemicals like bleach for fair skin.
So my request to all people in this world, is that they should not look at one’s background to judge a them.
From Ms Archana Sen
Dubai
Facebook comment
Need for awareness
The purpose of reporting these cases is to show how common it has become to report such cases (‘Malaysian police arrest 13 over gang rape of two teenagers,’ Gulf News, May 30). It was not so in the past. Today, when we talk of progress, we need to see where we are from our savage days. We need to expose this horrible issue to remind ourselves on how we should behave. When men feel they are strong, how do we show our strength? In violating people of the weaker sex, it is like killing a sheep and calling yourself a great hunter.
From Ms D. S. Matthews
Dubai
Website comment
Work together
It is very important that violent crimes, particular those against women, be reported. No, they are not positive or uplifting stories, but they do raise awareness of the atrocities that occur in every country around the world. By shining a light on these terrible events, we can all work together to eradicate them and the suffering that they inflict upon innocent victims and their families. We cannot work to prevent these crimes if they go unreported and are unknown to the world at large.
From Ms Jess
Atlanta, United States
Name withheld by request
Unacceptable behaviour
This is disgusting, unacceptable and pathetic. Whoever is found guilty should be punished so bad that he would not even think of going near a woman, not even their own wives.
From Ms Sofia
Dubai
Website comment
Revision issues
I have been in a company for 17 months (‘Signs you’re in a dead-end job,’ Gulf News, May 30). I am underpaid with the rest of the people and I have been requesting my package to be revised the package for six months now. Revision is something which they don’t have any clear process for seeing as every month they are fine to revise and give me more responsibilities. I don’t want to switch jobs but my biggest fear is that it is not getting any better.
From Ms Asma Sid
Dubai
Website comment
Finally an increase
After a whole year of hard work, finally my salary increased has come in. It is as if they are paying money for utility bills.
From Mr Rizwan
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Job hunters beware
My previous position had all these signs. I worked in that company for two years without any career growth, I really felt that I had become stagnant; I sat down and resolved to switch jobs. Ever since, I have never been this happy in my career, the future looks bright, and as for my old employer - he went bust 3 months after I left and one of the shareholders took to his heels, probably running away from debts. People have to be really careful here when looking for a job.
From Mr Washington
Dubai
Website comment
No reward
This is very true. I have been working for more than two years in my current position and I have had no further reward in. I am stuck here. Now, I’m looking for new job because of my boss.
From Mr Adeel Raza
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Inconsistent
For the whole year the company will praise you but then at the time of salary review they will tell you that your work is not up to expectation. They will give you a increment equivalent to your monthly phone bill.
From Ms Kim
Dubai
Seeking advice
Also the experts should advise us on how to handle situations where managers do not allow you to perform better. Are we supposed to demonstrate less knowledge than our managers? If I try to point out better ways of doing things, I get degraded and insulted at some stage. How should we deal with such circumstances? Please note, politics and lobbying do exist among managers and senior managers, so we have no place to complain in the first place.
From Mr Muneer
Sharjah
Website comment
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