http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/01/23/health-matters-%e2%80%98i%e2%80%99m-no-racist-but-%e2%80%99-hidden-messages-in-everyday-conversations/ The Rock River Times - THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1993 Fri, 24 May 2013 02:20:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/01/23/health-matters-%e2%80%98i%e2%80%99m-no-racist-but-%e2%80%99-hidden-messages-in-everyday-conversations/comment-page-1/#comment-8109 Mahvash Moallem Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:45:54 +0000 http://rockrivertimes.com/?p=42640#comment-8109 As a woman of middle eastern heritage, I am often faced with the same kinds of questions or comments, even though I have lived in the U.S for 32 years! I almost always get the comment about "No. Where are you REALLY from?" or "your English is so good!" Most of these folks are well meaning and don't intend to insult. This, however, is never lost on ME! The more obvious to ME, but perhaps somewhat hidden to the aggressor is the fact that I am often ignored in favor of a white person when someone has a question, or a problem to solve! It feels almost like they don't think the person of color is capable of an answer, or problem solving skills. This happens almost all the time. Also, when I do answer a question, I am often ignored! Just saying.... As a woman of middle eastern heritage, I am often faced with the same kinds of questions or comments, even though I have lived in the U.S for 32 years! I almost always get the comment about “No. Where are you REALLY from?” or “your English is so good!”
Most of these folks are well meaning and don’t intend to insult. This, however, is never lost on ME! The more obvious to ME, but perhaps somewhat hidden to the aggressor is the fact that I am often ignored in favor of a white person when someone has a question, or a problem to solve! It feels almost like they don’t think the person of color is capable of an answer, or problem solving skills. This happens almost all the time. Also, when I do answer a question, I am often ignored! Just saying….

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