Posted in Portugal forum
This is to continue to talk about racism in Portugal.
1- I've Studied in a couple of countries including Portugal. Many of my Graduated black colleagues in Portugal, born and raised in Portugal, never have been to Africa where suggested to go "back" to work in Africa;
2- In Portugal, the high amount of black Professionals are to be found in health business because THERE they are needed, since the white Portuguese venture themselves in less intelectually depending business. For the rest of the fields, no blacks to be found in high educational level;
3- Black people in Portugal are to be cleaners, constructors and all "lower" related jobs. You are in a way, forbidden to achieve higher goals since once you've done it, you are no longer welcome in the country. This clearly refects the idea that black people are meant to be low;
4- Yes, Portugal is a Classical country...but look what you've become?
5- While the other imperialists have already apologised for colonialism, Portugal doesn't understand why they did it, simply because Portuguese think they did good in Africa;
6- Before Independence, only the numbers of one hand of Africans were graduated. Today, billions are graduated, schools and universities are numerous in Africa and the list goes on with the improvements that were done. Moreover, today, you find a lot of people like me who DECIDED to venture themselves with their own money to study and work in the world. Me being independent to do that is not well known among the Portuguese since they think that I need their approvement to grow further than what they had "planned" for me.
7- Because of my accent, on the phone, I was told I would do good with my International Masters Degree. But once I asked to meet in person with that such important figure, he asked me if I wasn't thinking of going back to Africa. Another episode was when I approached my Professor to ask him to intervene in my favor as to find a suitable job according to my International Masters. I know that my normal Portuguese colleagues aren't as good as I am in languages, aren't as travelled as I am, don't posess a Masters, can't communicate Internationally as me, and having been a good student myself, having this Professor backing me up, I thought my future was going to be soon. It's been almost 6 months, my Professor is silent. I did send him two mails, to which he answered to one. Last week I sent him another one. DEAR FELLOW PORTUGUESE PEOPLE, do you think he will find me something special since he is a very internationally well known figure?
8- It's very common to companies reply as follows: "we are only employing Africans who want to work for us in Africa".
Now, dear world, how do you put this? I know Portuguese are running to Africa to do as good as I want to do in Portugal.
Correction
posted by Susie M. in Portugal forum
Im Portuguese and we most definately do not think we are latino or hispanic. How insulting.
Hi there
posted by Belinda Angelino in Portugal forum
The fact is:
The Portuguese take criticism as the American mainstream does: "If you criticise, you are against us" and then they will start hating and insulting you just like they do in most forums. Intelligent people evaluate criticism. In every criticism, should always be pros and cons. The only way to evolve is to rethink, reconsider a behaviour. If you don't hear from others, it's quite difficut to face your own truth by looking in the mirror.
There is a frase in Portuguese: " O pais da moral e bons costumes", meaning: The country of Moral and good costumes. This is something that you may hear out loud and proudly said but if you ask them what moral and costume, they will not know what to say.
I know I'm not commenting directly to your reply but just to give examples of a deficit in reasoning which might be a problem if they keep on lying to themselves as to not need any criticism whatsoever. Criticism is evolution.
For centuries the Portuguese say: "Portugal para os Portugueses". This sentence is out of date. New generation keeps on using it. If different reasoning, ideas, don't flow, you will always stay put, no matter how it is decorated from the outside.I advise you to have a more cheerful life. Stay or leave, you know what's best for all your puzzle.
Good luck, girl!
Racism in Portugal
posted by michaela renate in Portugal forum
Hallo Belinda!
In my family are members of all colours, diferent roots as nigerian, german, french..we never have had any problems in germany or us, spain. - except nigeria is very rasistic respect to white or coloured people.
I am white, living with my couple since 1 1/2 years in portugal. it is the first time in my life that I feel discriminated; as stranger, woman, in my human rights, as eu-member etc.
I have my own, little touristic business here, but my portuguese neighbours with big grounds of about 500 hectars they never say to us, looking in another direction, they never would have a cop of coffee with us sitting on the same table because we don´t belog to their own class.
our second defizit is; we are strangers. portugal don`t like to recogneize the eu-laws what makes some serious problems with papers.
in the portugues society there are only 3 classes: the upper class together with the people who works for the state - and the upperclass. betweeen them there is a deep abism.
Too, as stranger it is very dificult to make new friends here, this does not depend only of the colour of the skin.Well, the portugues are very nice and friendly with an exellent behaviour, but very closed at least. I think, they don`t like strangers.
in spain I never had any problems to make new friends, to find clubs, enjoy life together with spanish friends, very tolerant and open people.
I ask myself: do you like to become old here - in this beautiful country - alone? - no!
As you we are thinking to leave the country for to go back to spain.I write this to you thinking of my half-nigerian cousins; how hurt must you feel and alone ! But it is not the colour, you are a stranger. be proud of yourself. your home will be where you will have friends and be loved.
In the moral and ethic way this people who discriminated you are the loosers...
Racism and the portugues society, the reasons, history, is a good theme for to be discussed. right; the younger generation is not like that.
Good luck for your future, Michelle
Please
posted by Belinda Angelino in Portugal forum
Note that the Portuguese will always be nice people...but racists.
When I say racists, I don't mean they are violent...on the contrary! They may all smile at you but have racist principles.
Don't you tell me that it's normal to see black people or other non-white people working in offices in Portugal? Don't tell me that you thought that they simply never achieve higher education? If you are/were a student, you certainly realised a huge number of black people as students, didn't you? It is so common for Portuguese students to sort of make friend's with you at University but then realise that after graduation, the story is over forever...they simply realise that you have nothing in common with them. Now, how different are they then?
My German-Portuguese colleague adviced me to leave the country...as simple as that! Now, I'm going to wherever I want to go and not to where they think I should go.Thanks for being different.
Typos
posted by Belinda Angelino in Portugal forum
Some typos here and there...I hope to have made myself clear:)
Hi there
posted by Belinda Angelino in Portugal forum
Hi Cassandra.
Thanks for replying:).
The story about the animals is a bit bizarre, sick.I don't really know how will your Hispanic husband be accepted in Portugal. But, perhaps withl light skin, willing to lick everybody's shoes, really putting yourself down, almost relinquishing your identity to what they want...perhaps then he will be well accepted. The problem is...what they have for "us" is so low...just unbelievable.
If you are black, no matter how assimilated you are, they l won't accept you. Actually, on the contrary...I repeat, they want black people to serve them. You are cute when you put yourself really down.Thanks for suggesting me North America but I do have some other alternatives for myself. I will be happy, able to chose where I feel comfortable and at home.
Thanks for the love and good luck to your family in Portugal!don't worry
posted by Deleted user in Portugal forum
Don't worry, I've never been to Azores and I have no idea how it is there, but in the mainland, of all the racist jokes and comments I've heard, I've never heard anything about hispanics and I don't think I will.
I think most portuguese people can't even tell the difference, as strange as that may sound to you. A lot of portuguese people actually think they are considered hispanic and latino.
.
posted by Deleted user in Portugal forum
I'm so sorry you've had such a horrible experience, to be honest I was completely unaware things like these still happened in Portugal. I must be pretty naive, no matter how many stories I hear of prejudice in Portugal, they always come as a shocking surprise.
Racism and prejudice is something I feel very strongly against, I have even developed the not very social trait of not being able to look people who are openly racist in the face. But I haven't met many.
Most of the people in my life, friends, family, colleagues, aren't racist. I also have a few black, indian and asian friends, and they have never experienced major difficulties for being of a different race. Of course they have received a few lousy comments coming from racism or stereotypes though, but nothing serious like this.
But of course I can't generalize from the people I know.
The way you shouldn't generalize the portuguese! I understand you may be angry, I know I would be.
There are a lot of old people in Portugal, and a lot of old people are racist. But usually, they just generalize, and complain, but in reality they end up being open to people. They always open exceptions, there's always that one nice black guy. I'm not saying this is good, it's bad, and it's a general attitude but I think is being overcome. The good part is that violent racism isn't a very common problem in Portugal.
Portuguese people really like to whine, it's just our thing, and we are rarely serious, as you must know.
Again, I'm really sorry that this has happened to you, and you've had really terrible luck. I am portuguese and I am white, so I realise I may be oblivious and speaking from a comfortable spot. But I must say this so people don't get the wrong impression, what happened to you isn't the norm.
I wish you all the best from now on, I'm sure you will find people who will treat you with respect in this country.
In reply
posted by Deleted user in Portugal forum
I'm very sorry for the racism you've endured. It's mind boggling! I'm not as well versed in Portugal as you, though I agree with the notion you speak of. In my short years as a child on the Azores Islands, racism was very real and painful. Painful because I knew it was wrong, it hurts to see something harmful to people.
I knew people who killed off animals because of the color, be it a chicken, cat or dog...because of color. THAT is how I learned racism is wrong, I knew the cat did no wrong...it was simply black! I knew that people were the same.
I want to move back to the Azores, however I worry my Hispanic husband wont be accepted.
My opinion is this, move to North America. California or New York.
Good Luck!