Why do we avoid eachother?

A great point was brought up in the skits that we saw on Saturday.

Sometimes when folks are isolated they will avoid others like them. Examples are in TV shows like America's Next Top Model when the East Indian woman (from our own, Kent, WA) served as a hostess at an event with some well known names in fashion. A photographer who also happened to be Indian was talking with some of the other model attendees when suddenly someone asks, "What is your background?"

The young man softened his voice as he replied "Indian." Simultaneously the model-would-be's around him screamed and giggled "Her too!" they said. "She's Indian too!" And motioned for the girl to come over to them. Seemingly the only two Indian people on earth (or at least at the party) exchanged few words and spent the rest of the night purposefully avoiding one-another.

The question is why? Why do some folks avoid others from their racial background? Are they uncomfortable with their identity? Are they socially inept? Are they trying to be invisible?

Thoughts?
-Angel

Training for Asian Pacific Islanders

INTERNALIZED RACISM: (1) The poison of racism seeping into the psyches of people of color, until people of color believe about themselves what whites believe about them -- that they are inferior to whites; (2) The behavior of one person of color toward another that stems from this psychic poisoning. Often called "inter-racial hostility;" and (3) The acceptance by persons of color of Eurocentric values. (See Harris and Ordoira, op. cit. pp. 304-3 16.)
-Colours of Resistance homepage (http://colours.mahost.org/)

Please join us for the first in a series of intense conversations about internalized racism. This workshop is open to Asian/Pacific Americans and is designed to create a space where we can talk and think critically amongst ourselves about how we organize. For a registration form email irotrainings@yahoo.com

Stay tuned to this blog for must-read background articles and continuing discussions.