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Q: why does chinese people do not like to recruit africans for even small jobs like teaching english?
why does chinese recruiters do not like to recruit africans or black people?why do they only advertise white positions,whilst we are all people the only different is the complexion or race.Maybe my english is way better.
9 years 22 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - Hangzhou
Face.
Chinese are very superficial people, they mostly care about the outside appearance of things, the inner quality or substance couldn't matter less than it does in China.
That's why many people here drive fancy cars but live in shitty places that don't deserve to be called homes. Everyone can see what car they are driving, but no one can see where they live unless they willingly bring that person to their home.
They prefer to hire White foreign teachers because these people are associated with wealthy Western countries, it "looks good" to have a White teacher. On the other hand Black people are associated with less developed Africa, there is no face to be gained from having a Black teacher.
This is Chinese culture, sad but true.
yangyangli49:
True that. I am an Asian American with an educational background, all the right certificates, and graduated from a top-20 university. I have demo videos that shows my excellent teaching abilities, and I genuinely care about my students' education. But all that doesn't matter with most places I've applied. They rejected me because I am Asian...oops...to bad for looking down on their own ethnicity
I assure you your English is not way better. That, and the fact that you usually need to be a native speaker from one of about five countries to get a proper visa to teach should answer your question.
Iron12:
Coming from one of the 5 countries does not mean the English is better. Don't glorify yourself.
Stiggs:
Three things.
1. If a school wants to get a person a z visa / RP they are required to have a passport from one of about 5 countries. Of course this is China so there are sometimes ways around this but for a school trying to abide by the law, it's the way it is and there's not much a school can do about it. You can complain about how it's not fair or whatever but the school doesn't get to write their own laws.
2. I'm not trying to glorify anyone, just saying it how it is. You not liking that fact doesn't change it, and people pointing out that this law is in place is not trying to belittle you. Get over yourself.
3. Why don't you read the OP again then tell me I'm wrong about the English ability of whoever posted it.
Because most Africans cannot speak proper English, even those coming from countries where they have been exposed to English since birth. Their accents are atrocious, to say the least and their level of education isn't that high either . Furthermore, Africa is considered by Chinese to be a place where only poor people live. How much face is there in having your kid taught by a poor African? So go on and blame the Chinese, whites, colonialist and whoever for discriminating against you, that is what Africans do well.
Iron12:
Do you actually look in the mirror and convince yourself that you are better than a so called African. Then after convincing the mirror, you prance off to your so called "teaching" job.?
Where you come from, you are probably nothing, so you come to China and you feel like you are something, just because they know no better...but hey, who are you kidding?
ltmaneveld:
You clearly seem to be making uneducated statements about Africa without any knowledge of Africa's 54 very different countries. As an "African" who already works in China in the ESL industry and have been for over 10 years, I would say I'm always highly complemented by my students and their parents until the subject of my nationality is brought up. I'm South African just for the note. From my entire experience Chinese people generally have a limited frame of referrence but until recently they have been permitted to have an opinion. I don't mind such comments, but please have the slightest bit of decency to make comments with more knowledge and insight so that you "do not lose face" kind sir in the eye of the public.Its unfair to generalize and paint an entire continent with one brush just in the same way Asia is a vastly different continent with many different cultures, people etc.
I am a strong supporter of all people equal handling - we are not the same but we are equal!
In that sense I also thing that the 'dark skin' discrimination in China is absolutely wrong and does not serve to the country well.
Unfortunately I do not see a big chance that in foreseeable future this would change too much.
Saying this however one shall also respect that business relationship should be based on the free will of all involved parties.
What I want to say that if the absolute majority of Chinese prefers white Americans as teachers so the schools will probably act accordingly as it's about their profit (monetary and non monetary).
It of course sometimes results in the situation that unqualified, untalented white American for whom is already challenge no to use in his/her hometown colloquial dialect will be prioritized over the skilled and highly capable teacher from another country (or non Caucasian one).
But it's still a business - all parties must feel happy with the agreement.
Being an entrepreneur I would be very horrified if somebody would try to limit my free choice of colleagues! And I believe that as long as I spend just my money so nobody has a right to ask me what was my criteria of selecting my colleagues.
All smart entrepreneurs are trying to maximize own profit - in that sense I think that naturally there will be growing job opportunities for all skilled, smart and hard working people.
RiriRiri:
"untalented white American for whom is already challenge no to use in his/her hometown colloquial dialect"
If we needed a proof that you never actually went anywhere outside of PRC.
"Being an entrepreneur I would be very horrified if somebody would try to limit my free choice of colleagues! "
Aha hahaha aha ahahaha. If we needed a proof that you ever actually went through visa process. Let alone be an entrepreneur.
"All smart entrepreneurs are trying to maximize own profit - in that sense I think that naturally there will be growing job opportunities for all skilled, smart and hard working people."
Ahahaha ahahah ahahaha. Aaaah the things one can say with the emotional detachment of a troll paycheck.
gouxiong:
Dear RiriRiri,
Honestly I have a feeling you need a medical check in some good hospital - psychiatric clinic ...
And if all goes well so my suggestion would be to learn the basic rules of the discussion if it will not be too much of a challenge for you ...
Iron12:
This is what im talking about. The majority are untalented, unqualified and coarse to say the least. Then they want to play the race card in China. always blackballing Africans, just so they can feel better about themselves.
Hulk:
"If we needed a proof that you never actually went anywhere outside of PRC."
"Aha hahaha aha ahahaha. If we needed a proof that you ever actually went through visa process. Let alone be an entrepreneur."
Hmm. Quite a few ABC are like this, along with a lot of immigrants. You'll almost never find a black person in Chinatown restaurants. In fact, I've yet to see it. They have signs up everywhere, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."
Try going to Chinatown restaurants while black.
''As soon as you determine any job as 'small job', you're bound to failure''.
By my own experience from USA, African Americans like to blame 'race' as reason for many (most) of the failures.
Once, you sort your own personal liabilities, you can move ahead.
'The significance of the mooth is change........Look deep into yourself, Clarice.......'
Chinese recruiters can judge your English ability, despite their English level isn't high.
Black, Brown, Asian, fat, and many other Chinese 'no' reasons will (must) 'water-down' eventually.
Reality is 'not too many Chinese' are accustomed to different skin colors (black, brown) similar as West is.
Tanned Chinese farmer is almost 2nd grade citizen in China. Chinese women walk with an open umbrellas on sunny day, because 'yellow' is 'in', and tanned or any other skin color is 'out' in China.
I'm not sure about Chinese law 'only Native English teacher can teach English in China', because I'm Non-native English teacher working in China with proper working visa and WPermit last 4 years.
However, that is requirement in Japan, Taiwan, HK, S. Korea and few other countries.
Your English is (doctored) 'Chinese English'.
Face.
Chinese are very superficial people, they mostly care about the outside appearance of things, the inner quality or substance couldn't matter less than it does in China.
That's why many people here drive fancy cars but live in shitty places that don't deserve to be called homes. Everyone can see what car they are driving, but no one can see where they live unless they willingly bring that person to their home.
They prefer to hire White foreign teachers because these people are associated with wealthy Western countries, it "looks good" to have a White teacher. On the other hand Black people are associated with less developed Africa, there is no face to be gained from having a Black teacher.
This is Chinese culture, sad but true.
yangyangli49:
True that. I am an Asian American with an educational background, all the right certificates, and graduated from a top-20 university. I have demo videos that shows my excellent teaching abilities, and I genuinely care about my students' education. But all that doesn't matter with most places I've applied. They rejected me because I am Asian...oops...to bad for looking down on their own ethnicity
I agree with other posters here.
First of all, if you think teaching is a "small job" then it is probably best they don't hire you based on that alone (it means you don't take it seriously).
Secondly, unfortunately... many Africans that came to China before you did some of the following:
- said they were from America (obvious lies)
- had horrible accents (that Chinese later found out were NOT American)
- brought in a lot of unsavory acts and mannerisms with them
This and the fact that Africans are thought to be "poor" and "dirty" makes you being an African English teacher in China VERY challenging. You have to prove yourself and put in double or triple the amount of effort than your white co-workers. Also, if faced with a bad situation... you almost can NEVER complain to your boss as they expect your complete and continuously appreciation for giving you a "chance".a
China says they have no racism but they are extremely racist... just not exactly in the hostile, angry manner you may find in other countries. Because of this, schools (which are businesses) do not want to risk losing money to battle racism. Unfortunately, it is up to you and your people to break that stigma, yourselves.
My company will not hire Blacks for three reasons (so they say)...
1. The whiter the skin, the more pure they are. The darker the skin, the less pure they are, It is a tradition. Thus, the skin whitening cremes for sale to women.
2. We had black teachers earlier in the company's history. It was one troubling factor after another. Always bitching, getting into fights, and they could not conform to the Chinese culture well. The were nothing but trouble.
3. Parents are looking for European looking teachers to teach their children. Not African looking or other Asian looking teachers. Many parents will pay good money for a white skinned teacher. So, European skinned people bring in the dollars/RMB. The same holds true in many of the Asian countries I have heard.
Can blacks get jobs in China? Yes. But, they are usually crap jobs or low paying jobs.
Iron12:
Nonsense utter rubbish, reaks of nonsensical piety. You dont know what the hell you are talking about because you are the one who has a bigoted mindset. What next? Lynch the Africans?
Shining_brow:
Iron - you're attacking the person, not the post!
Nashboroguy didn't say it was HIS opinion - he said it was the reason his COMPANY doesn't hire Africans...
You owe him an apology!
Where are you from? You better start creating something for yourself. Most often my heart aches when I see Africans and Blacks going through these work hustles. Chinese will hire Russians and other Eastern Europeans with horrible accents and no teaching experience than a qualified ESL teacher from any part of Africa.
You might as well look into foreign trade. Try to connect with companies in your country who might need to do business in China. You will be your own boss and won't have to succumb to the BS that goes on in the teaching field. I'm sorry but this is how China is and there is nothing you or me can do about it. Some kindergartens however may over look the fact that you are black and hire you but with low salaries. Most factories here are looking for African sales personnel to develop their customer base in Africa. Try contacting some, you might get lucky.
Good luck.
Englteachted:
Did you not notice this guys English? Or did you post this question so you could look righteous posting this response?
You are not the poster child for this issue. (Pardon the pun) You are either a troll or some despicable piece of slime.
The sad reality is that when a black person (regardless of nationality) does something wrong it creates a stigma that will apply to all blacks. When a white person does something wrong it only applies to the individual and sometimes their nationality.
Black people are fully aware of this yet they do not criticize other blacks for doing stupid things. (I'm not saying it's right, it is the reality and the reality is not changing)
Example, in the USA blacks who smoke pot typically get locked up but whites don't (some surveys show whites use drugs more than blacks but the stigma applies to blacks only, watch 'The House I Live In')
I always get into arguments with blacks who have been brainwashed by the media to play the role of victim. I always tell them that they should see it as an opportunity. Stay away from drugs and focus on education. Be completely the opposite of what the stigma is (well the negative aspects).
The sad truth is this is the reality and it will not change, use it to your advantages
Judging someone simply by his/her skin complexion is just ignorance! I know a lot of blacks who are involved in teaching and are really doing great in their jobs. If you believe in skin complexion then you are just a psychopath full of hatred and racism!!!
nzteacher80:
Racism is real and it exists in China. It hasn't got anything to do with psycopathy - which is a mental illness. As with almost all racism it's based in ignorance.
From personal experience, I'm a half black, half latino (Puerto Rican) American. I remember my very first question on this website I posted was similar to yours, as I was having a difficult time find a job. But it wasn't impossible. The truth is, I received many job offers, but not what I was looking for. Which is why I own my own English school, I have 2 schools in fact. What I've learned is that it's not so much about the skin color, as it is your nationality. Unfortunately Africans are not marketable. When I first arrived, everyone thought I was African. Now everyone in my city knows I'm American. Which has resulted in higher enrollment at my schools. The color of my skin was not the deterrent, it was the fact that thought I was African. This is the case all over China, if you don't live in a big city. Chinese people associate dark skin with being African. Most Chinese people don't know of that American has black people or any people of color. So a school who hires you, would have to spend time convincing all parents and all potential students' parents, that t his person with dark skin is actually American, not African. And also you must remember that, from what I've been told, CCTV is always talking negatively and saying all the things, mostly bad, that Africans have done or are doing. Which makes everyone else look bad. Honestly I wish black people and all people in America would stop calling ourselves African American. Africans and Black Americans are no more similar than Chinese and Japanese people. I am, actually offended when someone calls me African American.
Your English is not very good. So you should not be teaching English.
my friend is black we work in the same Kindergarten,he wants a new job he has a degree and no one wants him because of his skin colour .
Iron12:
so0 why are you telling us? Trying to make yourself look smart?
A person cannot be judged by appearance just as water in the sea cannot be measured with the bucket. Chinese culture has got nothing to do with that, people they are still ignorant. Chinese culture teachers people about equality but people have a hole in there eyes. If CCTV is egative about black people, what would the local people say? I bet young people are more open minded than the old people. One day yo u will be rotting who dare to remember if you are black, yellow or white. Manners makes the man not the skin... Discrimination is everywhere in china even in universities from teachers and students. Its not about being black, yellow, red or white because we are all humans and racism is only for fool.....
Hows did black africans get jobs in china?! I done got no job never in china yet. But I knows I can teach english, I really knows I can!
Perhaps Chinese aren't that dumb to hire someone who takes the job as something ' SMALL'.