Erase the Ethnicity-Based Stigma. Say Something.
Ever felt misunderstood? Ever wanted your voice, your opinion, or your feelings to be heard? Ever felt discriminated against just because you have different morals, values, or cultural backgrounds?
We are all different and that makes us unique. But sometimes people don’t understand because they have never experienced other people’s cultures and have never read their life stories. So why don’t we eliminate stereotypes, discrimination, and miscommunications by voicing it out?
Ever felt misunderstood? Ever wanted your voice, your opinion, or your feelings to be heard? Ever felt discriminated against just because you have different morals, values, or cultural backgrounds? 
We are all different and that makes us unique. But sometimes people don’t understand because they have never experienced other people’s cultures and have never read their life stories. So why don’t we eliminate stereotypes, discrimination, and miscommunications by voicing it out?
On this page, we will like you to tell us your story. Tell us what you would like others to understand. Tell us any problems you faced due to cultural differences. Tell us about any times you felt miscommunicated. Maybe we can help.
All you have to do is post a comment in this blog or e-mail us your stories or any pieces of art that represents your story at letushearyourstory@gmail.com. You can even take the polls that are on the right of this blog.
Let your voice be heard.
Together we can erase the ethnicity-based stigma.
It was hard when I moved to America and had to learn American English. My whole life I learnt how to spell in British English and said things like "perspire", "rubbish bin" and "specs". It was hard to change that to phrases like "sweat","trash can" and "glasses". Sometimes it hurt me when people laughed about what I said, even though they didn't mean it. Just wanted share that out :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for being the first brave soul to comment on this page. We really appreciate it. It is definitely hard to adjust from the British English to American English, since for Americans they are not too used to many British phrases. However, maybe u could share to us how u have dealt with this, and how American English is for you now.
DeleteI think that I learnt to deal with this by telling myself that I'm not doing anything wrong and neither is the person laughing at my British English. I think it's important to be strong and believe in what you believe in. But it's also important to adapt in your current society. So I think I just tried to accept other people's way of thinking. Now American English is part of me.
DeleteWhen I was little, I didn't speak much English. I remember how everyone remembered to bring in their list for Santa, but I forgot. I was so disappointed, and I wanted to tell people, but I couldn't. I could only sit there and hold back my tears. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us. The language barrier plays a huge role in miscommunication. It is important to be able to speak up but through your post we see that you are now able to. We hope that English is no longer an obstacle for you. We also hope that your story will inspire others to reach out to those who cannot speak out as easily as others.
DeleteWhen I go to school it feels like everyone is racist. Even some of the teachers... Also when I go to eat some where with my friends people stare at us and call us Chinese or "chink eyes" and it feels so weird.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. We understand that you have been through a lot of discrimination for being a Chinese. We would like to ask you, how are the teachers being racist? What do you want the teachers to understand so they would stop their prejudicial behavior? Thanks again for your comment.
DeleteAt my school, the people are very exclusive to asians and hate on them because of the way they look. They also stereotype that all asians are nerds, antisocial, and not fun to talk. Also, all the teachers act like that too and clearly favors the white people. I hope that maybe someday people will try to understand each other and be able to empathize with others.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your story with us. People must keep in mind that there is no quality that a race has because it is a race. Do you believe that if people knew about true Asian culture and their lifestyles, they will understand? We would like to help.
DeletePeople will look at my sister or me, then they'll look at my parents and they'll wonder how there can be a family with two totally different races. It's like they can't grasp the concept of a family that isn't biologically related. Then we'll tell them that my sister and I are adopted, and they act sorry for us. Like being adopted means that you're less loved or something.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for telling us about your story. We will like for you to tell us, do people become especially nice to you when they know you are adopted? If so, do you consider that as discrimination as well? And lastly, how do you think we can tell others that families do not have to be biologically related in order to be a loving one? Thanks again for your comment!
ReplyDeleteWell it's not that they necessarily become nicer when they find out I'm adopted, it's that they just react to the news and then they act like it's a big deal and ask stupid questions. Yes, I do think this is a form of discrimination because it shows their recognition of adoption being different from other families. As for other families, they might never understand how an adopted family and a biological family are the same thing. However, and this isn't the best example, it's kind of like adopting a pet. They aren't 'biologically' related to you, but you love them. Again, not the best example, in my opinion, you're family isn't who you're biologically related to. Family is who takes care of you and who is there for you when you need support. They're the people that you know will always be there for you, no matter what. I know that my adopted parents will always be there if I ever need them, so they're my family.
DeleteWe really appreciate your reply. Thank you very much. We found it interesting that adopted kids, like yourself, face discrimination that people tend not to count as discrimination. We wanted to ask your permission to use your story as a post on our blog, so we can spread the word about discrimination against adopted children.
DeleteYes of course! I would really like to help spread the word about the lesser known discrimination that we sometimes face. :)
DeleteWhen I moved here from england, I found it hard to adjust, because people made fun of my accent and the way I pronounced words but eventually I realised that it is part of who I am and I don't want to change it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting. Accents are the easiest things to laugh at because it is the most obvious difference a person can have. We are very glad that you are embracing your accent and your culture, because it is truly what defines you. I hope your comment will inspire others not to make fun of different pronunciations.
DeleteI understand the discrimination one feels, having been adopted myself. I believe this discrimination is borne out of ignorance because it is outside the experience of most people. My immediate family and relatives were very loving and supportive (which I believe is the key to successful adoptions). However, occasionally a friend would say something that indicated they thought my situation was "second class". I feel sorry for people who feel that way knowing that biology isn't the only measure of a family. I have always said and felt that adoptive parents are special people. They work hard at parenting, and the children know they were truly desired.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your post. It is interesting how adopted children share the same type of discrimination. We were very inspired by your post and hope that you can check out our post on "Discrimination Against Adoption."
DeleteI'd like to comment, being an adoptive parent of a child of a differing race. I feel a little uneasy thinking of myself as special -- my desire to adopt was rooted in, let's be honest, a selfish desire to parent another human being, so I'm no saint. But I DO try to be a good parent, and try to consciously raise my child to know #1, she should be proud of her heritage, and that #2, an adoptive family is in no way inferior to a biological one, just different. I am blessed to have a teen who feels good about herself, and is looking forward to embracing the world! What could be better?
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your post! We really appreciate you sharing your opinions and your responsibility for your adopted child. We hope that people will be more aware of the intentions of the parent's point of view. We hope that you can check out our post on "Discrimination Against Adoption," which was also inspired by your comment!
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