Being black in Lebanon means you’re a servant.
It means that if you’re sitting on the bus, people will solicit you to come to their house and clean for the going rate of 7,000 L.L./hour (a little less than $5).
It means that if you’re walking with your white friend, and she’s carrying her bag or her baby or her groceries, you will get yelled at for not doing your job.
It means if you’re at a restaurant with non-black people, the wait staff will never ask for your order or expect you to pay.
It means people will ask you, “Are you Sri Lankan or Sudanese?”, and when you answer “American” in a perfect native-speaker American accent (because you don't speak any other language), people will ask, “But are you Sri Lankan or Sudanese?”
It means you are free game for men to grab and touch you.
It means you will be called ugly and “slave” to your face. (Actually this requires an explanatory note. The word “3bd” literally means slave or servant in Arabic. The common name 3bdallah means “Servant of God”. Arabs use this word to refer to black people. Instead of saying the color black, “aswad”, from which the country name Sudan comes, people say “servant/slave”.)
If you're coming for a visit, be prepared. It helps to not speak Arabic. It's tiring, frustrating, upsetting, offending to know the things they are shouting/whispering/chiding at you on the street and in the homes of your hosts.
76 comments:
That is so hardcore. It's little wonder that black people don't travel internationally much. The whole world is racist. I wonder then how the world views Obama... do they respect us for voting for a non-white person, or do they deride us for electing a servant/slave?
That's a good point. It seems that most people are happy about the new President because Bush is out of office, and Obama signals a change.
When Condoleeza Rice was Secretary of State, the depictions of her and the talk were straight-up racist, images of a monkey. Once in the teacher's lounge, I heard someone say, "I don't like her. She looks like a maid."
Of course, no one liked Bush's foreign policy.
I haven't heard racist, dismissive things about Obama. We'll see.
Very sad to see a country like Lebanon lack true equality. House servants in Lebanon are considered to be a different class of people.
But it is not always the case. My aunty hired a Phillipino and treated her like one of the family. The servant ate at the table with them, went to weddings, baptisms and other events with them (not to work) and my aunty bought her clothes for her every so often.
But how do we solve this problem of inequality? Does it just pertain to servants or is it more widespread?
Is the problem inequality or racism or a system that gives certain people unrestricted power over others?
If we're just talking about racist attitudes, everyone is racist. But in some places it's acceptable to be open about it, and in other places, it's not.
For some reason, things that would not be considered publicly acceptable in other places--treating someone like an animal and/or verbally abusing them--are considered normal in Lebanon.
I don't know why. You tell me?
And servant isn't really the right word, domestic worker is more appropriate.
Hiring a domestic worker in Lebanon maybe considered as a sign of status. Like here in Australia, a fancy car/house/job draws a lot of attention from the "Joneses" and lets them know that you are a "big shot".
I also think that the poor wages of the domesitc worker gives the idea to the home-owner that these people are sub-human. They work for less, so they are considered to be less.
Will he politicans in Lebanon speak up and change this situation? Somehow, I don't think so. They too have their domestic workers...
I am surprised I always thought of Lebanese people as being very open and friendly. I have met many Lebanese people growing up and they've always been very pure hearted and kind. I guess like you said racism is everywhere because even in Africa blacks treat other fellow blacks this way. I lived in Mozambique and it was the same way, the upperclass or light-skinned treated their servants like animals.
what the hell are you talking about!!!
how can you put your comments as generalizations ...ahhhn
I do not appreciate you using your personal experiences to generalize.
I cant read this anymore...
and actually bothering to comment..
The minimum wage for lebanese people...http://www.lebanonundersiege.gov.lb/english/F/eNews/NewsArticle.asp?CNewsID=1173
think bout it...
how much do you get!?
TRANSLATION of abdullah is that
"literally"
but in ISLAM it is sacred name one of preferred names to call your newborn child!
first man to sound out prayers was a black man..in islam
go do your research...
---------------------------------
go see when first man in your religion and country was given a say..before judging us..
its like saying :
Americans refer to the non-black people as niggers!
All blonds are bimbos..
like the "literally"
translation of "bitch" :
a term for the female of a canine species in general, is frequently used as a term for a malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant..
...till now each blog contains a comment and critisicm to lebanese people!! and religion..
how do they even allow you to teach..god!
It means that if you’re sitting on the bus, people will solicit you to come to their house and clean for the going rate of 7,000 L.L./hour (a little less than $5).
cleaning one house:
5$ x(5 hours)=25$
22days x 25$ =$500
but if she cleans 2 houses per day
that is $50 per day (10hours)
22 DAYS x50$(of course excluding weekends)=$ 1100 PER MONTH
yea
just for the going rate of :
7,000 L.L./hour (a little less than $5)
Honey, we have teachers here that do not get more than 500,000L.L or less per month..plz plz your killing me here..
sorry that was 550$ i got over excited
I am not Arab and in fact white American even if that matters... but I have to agree with the anonymous poster above. These are generalizations. A lot of this comes down to a person's education level not if they are Lebanese - spare me. I would also say that not all Arabs use the word abd to describe black people. That is crap. A lot of Arabs do but there are also TONS of black Arabs - check the Gulf states especially Oman. The 2nd in command of Kuwait for a long time was black (May he rest in peace).
The Middle East in an incredibly racist society. I was born, raised and lived in the middle east - very common to live in segregated areas, get paid far less than others (especially foreign whites) and general greivous mistreatment. My grandfather (RIP) was a muslim scholar and he was beaten up quite regularly on the street because he was black. Racism (and other forms of bigotry and inequlity) are engrained in Arab culture.
There's no such thing as 7,000 L.L. per hour, you're lucky to get that amount for a whole productive working day, i.e. early morning start till late night finish; or perhaps an additional of 500 L.L., slightly higher if temp/freelance. That's about it.
The Lebanese people are open and friendly, cosmopolitan people with rich culture. It is not fair to classify them as racist towards foreigners (black or otherwise), these issues are global, exist anywhere anyplace. Lebanese always had and will always have class and etiquette, and if you are not Lebanese, you would not be able to understand or even try to comprehend the high values associated with them.
Referring to Abdallah in your text, entirely wrong info.
The issue/problem exists within yourself, not appropriate to point fingers at the Lebanese.
I'm a white woman married to a black man, we're French and we've lived in Beyrouth for 5 years. What Jane has described is just nothing compared to what we've been through since we arrived here. We have to prove every single day that black people are also human beings and that it's ok if they marry white women. Not mentioning the way our 3 children are being treated in school... Middle East? Middle Ages, I'd say...
I am Black and American and I traveled to Beirut in 2008. I was suprised by the amount of prejudiced encounters I had. I am a woman so there was a whole wierd dimension added to this prejudice at times with regard to the way men treated me. I enjoyed the culture and country but was dissappointed at the amount of racism.
a nice posting for this site..
really a wonderful blog...its really good comments ,
I am lebanese and my boyfriend is black we've been together 9 years and going, my family in Lebanon are in love with my boyfriend but yet my family in USA are the biggest freakiest most ignorant racist people, they are basically backwards but yet live in the USA !!My boyfriend seriously wants to meet my fam in Lebanon but meeting the freaks here he is kinda weary of it!! I have been begging him to go trust me he will not be confused with Sri Lankin people he is huge! I have Sri lankin and Ethiopian friends in Lebanon! oh yeah and the pay there is horrrrrible no matter who you are, My sister works at Hallmark and gets 2$/hour talk about slavery!!?? So just to let everyone know racism is all over! just don't live the way people around you think you should. be happy and do whatever the hell you want that keeps you happy regardless of the bullshitt people "think" is right or "wrong" cause i don't care if you are black middle eastern white green blue, as long as you have a heart that pumps life into you everyday and God that looks over you everyday pray and be thankful and face life day by day!!! knock em out!! ; )
it pains me to see how ignorant and disillussioned people are about the world, and about the life they were born into. its amazing how pliable the human mind is.
blacks will be redeemed,history of manking is a cicle and at the bigining blacks were at the top of creation,you seee they kill our intelectuals and burned our books in timbuctu,figuring the story would not be told,i am a black nicaraguan that have a little of european ancestry and it is so sad that you still find people justify the inhumane treatment of black people with religion,and junk science,but we are good now,just considere what our ancesters went through went they were captured like animales to satisfy the demand of labor force in the new world,when bartolome de las casas sugested the enslavement of the negro instead of the indeans,cause blackness meant they didnt have any soul,things are changing however the earth is getting small because of comunication and interaction of diferent people,but the day will come when men are judge not by the color of their skins but by their integrity and caracter,but by the cicle it should take couple more hundred years,maybe thousands.
well i guess i wont be traveling to Lebanon anymore...
im pretty sure Lebanon is a nice country & you shouldnt let racist people ruin it, but i believe that if I go there and encounter nothing but racism...then really what is the point?
i have traveled to Japan and even though SOME of the people stared, they treated me like a human being. I had someone( a Japanese lady) ask me about my hair and we just had a little laugh.
But yeah,
I think I will skip Lebanon.
such a shame.
-Black American Woman
Really sad, especially given the way Arabs are seen around the world, as sand-niggers. It surprises me that a race of people that are so hated can hate others. Do they not realize how it feels? I can understand how white people can be so cruel b/c of the history of priviledge but how can non-whites have this disdain for their fellow man. I feel sorry for the Lebanese. It must be self-hatred.
Wow! I am a black African woman, and was in Beirut recently for a friend's wedding... Had no idea this type of racism exists, but I definitely experienced it big time! Including being groped :-(; almost punched a guy in the nose for that. And it's such a beautiful country, and most of the people are extremely friendly, but any dark-skinned will need to get used to at least being constantly stared at.
Black Woman soon to fly to Beirut on company related business. Boy, am I scared now! So much for my interest in city exploration.
I think I'm going to lock myself up in my hotel room for the entire trip!
Don't lock yourself in your hotel room the entire time! It's a beautiful country. Just be prepared.
Very sad to see a country like Lebanon lack true equality. House servants in Lebanon are considered to be a different class of people.
But it is not always the case. My aunty hired a Phillipino and treated her like one of the family. The servant ate at the table with them, went to weddings, baptisms and other events with them (not to work) and my aunty bought her clothes for her every so often.
There are more Lebanese living outside Lebanon than in the country. You would think they would know better. But then again they do treat bi-racial Lebanese as secondary citizens, so I am not personally surprised
I am lebanese (bad luck heinnn...).
I can say that most of the posts that describes racism in lebanon can't be denied. I've lived 2 years in france, and the woman that i love is african. I don't need to tell the kind of reactions that i observed or heard each time someone knew that my gf is black.
It's a shame... but i guess it's not only racism against blacks... syrians or rgyptians or.... are not treated much more better.
But a hope for a change can still be seen at the end of tunnel... i guess youth people are more open (less racist...) especially those who have "left" backgrounds...
I apologize from all those who have been in lebanon or live in lebanon and have seen or eperienced racist acts... it's a shame
Hi there - I appreciate everyone's input here however it is not what it seems. Many black Africans come to Lebanon to work and generally they obtain work as being a nannies,drivers, or housekkeping jobs where it allows them to earn better wages compared to their native countries. Since the country does not have any native black population it is perceived by others that the blacks are in Lebanon doing a job they chose to do and many are happy about it. The families that host theses hard workers really take care of them and treat them very nicely. I have many black frineds and I don't think black or white. They are all respected. I have a cosin that have hired a black lady from Africa to help her with baby sitting and housekeeping and I must say they have a wonderful relationship and became like best friends. At the same time the black lady is able to gain more dollars than ever in which she helps her family abroad and been here for 4 years and very happy.
I read this blog post both before and after arriving in Lebanon. The first time was to gain perspective and the second was to check my perspective. As a Black American woman, I posted my perspective on Race in Lebanon on my blog at www.sandpail.wordpress.com.
For Black American women who stated they will stay locked in their hotel rooms when visiting Beirut, I would say this is a very rash decision. While people may stare and you may get random comments, you will pay a far greater price by not experiencing the culture, after all that is why we travel, right?
If those Lebanese who travel are not exposed to a variety of people, they will never be able to expand their perspectives. Lebanon has many beautiful people and places - of which I've seen some. Don't let ignorant words and unfounded reactions keep you from experiencing them. And this is coming from a girl who's gotten smacked on the bum while walking and has been disrespected in her classroom by a prejudice student. Nonetheless, I haven't let these experiences control me. Otherwise, I might as well stay home in my own country. And even there I'll be subjected to prejudice.
But I do thank the writer of this blog for bringing awareness to this issue, because I was curious about this before I arrived in Lebanon and it was helpful to know what I'd be facing.
Hello, my name is Robert. This is not totally true. I think the poster here gives the Lebanese people a bad name. I am a White American who married a wonderful Lebanese (my wife was born and raised in Australia to Lebanese parents) woman. We have 2 beautiful daughters. I have been to Lebanon several times and have NEVER experienced racism. The Lebanese people are a top notch people who give everyone a fair go. My daughters (who are both full-fledged Lebanese citizens) and I are treated with nothing but love when we go there. If someone experienced some sort of negativity then mabye that someone was walking around with a chip on their shoulder. Saying Lebanon is a racist country is false. They are good people with a proud culture.
I am a black women (from Montreal, Canada), married to a Lebanese. We have 2 boys together.
I went to Lebanon during summer 2009 and I was really afraid to experience racism there. But I said to myself that it wasn't the first and the last time that I will experience racism.
And really, I was surprised. People were kind and sweet with me. Never had any problems, except at a beach (military beach, Beyrouth), where I had to be absolutely with lebanese people to go on the beach.
But I have to say that seeing that I am not speaking arabic, they automatically realised that I wasn't a servant there. I think that this is what's help me the most. They saw, they knew, and they felt that I was different.
But some servants wasn't really nice to me. That was weird.
Anyways, I had a great time over there and I am supposed to go back in 2012.
Lebanon is a great place and had NO racism what so ever. No matter what you are, you are allowed to live you life there. I am Lebanese and my great grandma is from Argentina but nobody was racist to her and she lived her whole life in Lebanon! OKAY??!!!
To the last "Anonymous post," You can claim that you are not racist, but you do not know the hearts and minds of every person in Lebanon to know if they have racist thoughts, or discriminate against others based on race. If you are so privileged to be an all-knowing being, then please read my mind and tell me what words came up, but I didn't post about your "Lebanon is Love" mindset. After that, please show me pictures of Arabs and Jews in Lebanon showing how much they love one another. I'l wait.
The Lebanese aren't overly friendly to Americans due to America's support of israel using White Phospherous on Palestinians and cluster bombs on Lebanese civillians.
The Lebanese don't care what color you are, its where you came from and currently people from the US, UK and France are not very welcome in a lot of Middle Eastern countries.
Take into consideration President Obama openly calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government, supporting NATO against Col. Gadaffi and extending US presence in Iraq. Other then israelis the rest of the Middle East is very well aware of current political situations. Hosni Mubarak was supported by israel which in turn forced the US to supprot him against the people of Egypt. Saleh of Yeman, al Khalifa of Bahrain, Saudi family, rulers of Kuwait are seen as dictators by the citizens of those nations. We fund, train their secret service, equip their miltary to oppress the population and then ask them why they hate us and answer the question for them, its because they don't want democracy.
Its our support of israel that has destroyed our reputation.
I am lebanese, born and raised in Lebanon.
To all the Lebanese commenters here who claim that Lebanese people are not racist and say things like "Lebanon is a great place and had NO racism what so ever." Please take your blinders off. First off, yes racism exists everywhere and I don't think that racism does not exist whatsoever about any country in the world.
Servants who are brought in from countries like the Philipines, Sri Lanka etc. ARE treated like sub-humans. If you're black you are called Abd (slave), I don't think this one is intentional though, it's just a word that historically made it into the language and I think people just use it without thinking. Of course, we can't generalize, there are many families who treat servants well but there are way too many abuse cases that go unpunished and that are all too accepted. If you're black you WILL experience racism. Some resorts and clubs in Beirut have been reported to not allow blacks or brown people who "look like servants" in. I would say that about 85% of my friends/relatives/acquaintances/people i've talked to are racist. I have a friend who recently moved to canada and was offended that as a newcomer she coudln't afford to buy a car and had to take the bus and it was unfair to see a philipino driving a BMW, and how that would never happen in Lebanon.
But blacks, please don't dispair we also treat lots of others as sub-humans (palestinians, egyptians, other arabs). Even if it's not to their face, it's definitely talked about.
When it comes to a choice for a spouse, the number 1 choice is lebanese (other arabs dont' compare), the second is a white westerner (as much as America is hated, marrying an white american is cool!).
To all the black people who went to Lebanon and did not experience racism, sorry to break it to you but this is only because you don't understand the language and didn't know that you were experiencing it.
It's a shame as many lebanese are very open minded and but that's definitely not the majority.
Having said that, Lebanon is no different than a lot of countries, such behavior is common is many europeean countries, US, Canada etc. also. The major difference between Lebanon (+ the rest of the middle east) and the western countries is that laws are not in place to protect foreign workers and there isn't much awareness happening to educate youngsters.
It's a shame as Lebanon is a beautiful culturally rich country but if we can't even treat our fellow Lebanese as equals, how can we treat foreigners of color as equals. we have a long way to go.
After reading this post I am freaking OUT because I am set to go to Beirut in a week. I lived in Germany for 5 years so I figured I could handle anything but now I am not so sure.
Woah!
wow! it seems like lebanon and many arab and middle east nations are living in the dark ages.
Such inbuilt racism means they cannot enjoy the richness that diversity can bring.
these people need to travel so that they can see how THEY are viewed by the world. then maybe there perspective of other cultures might change.
but hopefully the younger more travelled members of these nations can share there experiences and enlighten those that are living in with their blinkers on.
I have a friend who is half lebanese and she doesnt have anything to do with her culture or lebanese roots. its as if that side of her doesnt exist. I can see why.
I am supposed to travel to Lebanon in feb I am terrified I have people saying it's a great place in one ear and in the other how it is horrible I'm really confused now and scared and this blog doesn't help any.
How do they treat Pakistanis?? I am a British Pakistani and wanted to travel the middle east but am now put of by Lebanon.
I can speak only for myself, i don't discriminate or hate anyone, i met lots of foreigns in Lebanon n never been rude to anyone and all of them seemed to be sooo happy n having a great time. but i will lie if i tell you there's no stupid ignorant people in Lebanon, now i live n study in the uk and i understand there are the nice, polite English people and the rude, unfriendly ones. n let me tell you something as a lebanese. Lebanon is amazing to visit not to live, but dw about that since ur just visiting...
Wow,I came across this blog, because I met a Lebanese guy and I was interested in knowing what the people in that country thinks about black people in general. I'm a black girl from Costa Rica, and after reading these posts I'm in tears. I did not know it was like this in Lebanon. I cannot say that this person was bad to me, cuz he always seems nice, but now I can understand a lot more certain behaviors he had towards me, also what was the meaning of a key phrase he told me up front the first time we had a 1 and 1 talk. OMG I let my self go and I went too far with this guy, I feel like trash... I'm so disappointed... I was hoping to visit that country since I heard it is beautiful, but I think I'm better off going to other parts of the world instead. I know there is racism all around the world , but at least I can pretend it is not happening else where. I certainly made a fool of my self.
Thank you for your honesty... It's disappointing to read but it's even more disappointing to know that there are still so many other parts of the world like this.
why do u feel like trash? lebanon is a counrty. he is one individual.
I'm lebanese american and I went this past summer with my black american girlfriend, we went with my entire family and stayed in neighborhoods ranging from basta to achrafiye....and never once did she experience racism. everyone was fair and accepting when meeting her. Like one of the other woman said above...at the Military beach in beirut there was a small moment where just by looks it seemed their could be an issue...but this is because maids are not permitted at the military beach. so once they realized she showed her american passport she came in without even a word. just saying...to all the black women out there. go and visit lebanon. you will not regret it after the experience. She wants to go back every year
I am Nigerian which has an active Lebanese community in Lagos. You definitely do get the sense that they feel superior to the locals - they interact almost exclusively with each other and do not make much of an effort to engage/integrate with local culture. I guess this attitude is reinforced by their general success in business and the fact that they actually employ locals to do their legwork for them. I am therefore not surprised in anyway to read these unfortunate stories posted by black visitors to Beirut. I now live in the UK and do know a lovely lebanese girl and we seem to share a strong mutual attraction. If things develop I am sure I will have to pay a visit to her family in beirut one day - something I am now truly dreading - but hey, who said love was easy?
Yeah, living in Leb is a nightmare and I am asking myself more and more what I am doing here. I am a french national but I made the horrible mistake of being black... I am not a servant or anything like that but daily life is not easy... specially when people are looking at you like animals and what frustrate me the most is for my kids. We are leaving the country soon and for sure we will not regret it. The only thing we regret is to have chosen Lebanon when I got 3 other locations... I lived in morocco and tunisia before and definately nothing to compare! So bye bye Leb and wishing you all the best (not sure though what is the best)...
Wow. And I just read of how many lebanese live in black countries asking them to do business and live there. You mf are incredible. What makes you think you can treat black people wrong on your homefront and go wherever, do whatever you want in their countries?
Racism exist all over the world even today. I m of half chineese half nigerian descent but of UK citizenship. My chineese mother & nigerian father always respect each others cultures .But while in school and of course so called friends use to giggle me for my looks. but now I m in relation with an indian. When we both visited dubai ;every one was looking strange towards us .
Lebanese people are a joke.
They feel they are white and not Arabs! They call the other Arab nations sand dwellers (which means Sand Nig...
This is America... If you are from the middle east you are a "Nig..." to be more correct a "Sand Nig.." I'm black myself and live in the largest Arab and Muslim rich city in the USA (Dearborn, MI). These people have the nerve to ask me.. "Brother were are you from??" I say here America and they ask me the same question again. (Are you f...ing kidding me!!?)
Look.. when Bush was blowing up their country and raiding there homes with the use of the Patriot Act. They were treating other blacks like there closest cousins because they felt the same belittlement that we felt for years on U.S. soil.
The funny things when they were asked by government officials... "are you from Iran or Afghanistan?" They would reply "No I'm Persian." Are you kidding me.. The Persian people of today is from those two country. They think we are just dump.
Well from my everyday experience with them, they are lairs, cheaters and and hateful. They are even this way to their own kind. The only sect that are honest that I love dealing with is the Sunni Muslims the ones that truly practice their religion. Not the Shia Muslims or the Christian Arabs.
Keep your daughters away from them they just want a green card. Especially from the White women they target them the quickest.
Just something to think about...
Lebanse are really hardcore racist against black africans. The reason for this is, that they were brought to africa als middlemen for french and british colonialists. They were taught by them to be a superior race. In between the europeans and africans. Lebanese were encouraged to build business networks to destroy the african networks. They were given access to credit and they had more legal rights in the african colonies. That all started in the late 1900.
They logicaly soon took control in many african countries. Black africans got legal rights in the fifties and sixties, when lebanese had allready built up business empires. They are still the richest class in many african countries and live in seperate areas. Thats why they look down on black africans. But they forget that their success was fostered by colonial policies. Pakistan, anothet country: In pakistan lived and still live a minority of descandants of black africans. They came there as sailors, business people and slaves. They were called sidis, and at one point in history hey formed an indipendent state in in india.
The uppet class of this sidi state were called royal sidis.
And while the everyday people of the sidis are a normal part of the mass poverty in india, the royal sidis are still an elite and only mary other royal sidis or upper class pakistanis. Everybody knows this in pakistan. So there may be a lot of people of african origin in the pakistani elite.
So you must know, everywhere it is different.
In most european countries, there is not much racism against africans. The worst are austria, hungary and other central and eastern european countries. In France for example, the leading socialist intellectual of the 19th. century, paul lafargue, was of partly african descent. Also the dumas family of the 3musketeers were of african descent. Everybody in france knows this. And recently, a biracial person from the french carribean was elected as the new leader of the french socialists. So there is no reason to overestimate the stupid opinions of some other colonial victims.
"do they respect us for voting for a non-white person, or do they deride us for electing a servant/slave?"
The world has internalized the racial hierarchy established by the european colonial powers and the usa. Those were the superpowers and the rest of the world followed their perception. If todays sole superpower, the united states, slowly abandons this concept, theworld will follow. It is a rule, that the most powerful states, always create the ideological framework, and
those of less power will follow.
Try to act more racist, than your racist enemy. Maybe than he will burst into tears.
I lebanese themeselves would work as servants, housekeepers in Ghana, Ivory etc. they would soon loose their arrogance. But as long as they represent a dominant portion of the business elite of many western african countries, they will act as "colony masters".
The same relationship was given between germans and polish people prio to the first world. Germans dominated the polish economy, while poles went to germany to work in the agriculture of eastern prussia. Therefore germans regarded poles as subhumans. After polish indipendence in 1918, germans were expropriated, even more after the 2.world war. Today germans are no more an elite in poland. They now respect polish people. :-)
Also not good. It seems lebanese have extremely internalized the european model of racial hierarchy, developed by immanuel kant etc. in the 17.century.First whites, then arabs, asians and africans.
Just a funny example: Lebanese hardly dare to come to european states. Here, they cannot act like that. They are seen "only" arabs, and soon lose confidence. In Germany, the majority if lebanese live on wellfare or become criminals.
whoever says that the Lebanese are racist that is totally wrong i went to Lebanon and i never saw anyone being racist in fact all the people there are really kind and friendly
I'm a French North African. I studied a few years ago at university here in Paris where lots of Lebanese students. I can assure you that they're 70 % racist. They treated us like inferior human beings. I lived and travelled with Israelis and guess what: They treated us like...normal human beings. They never gave the feeling that we belonged to inferior civilisations, they hugged us, kissed us, they were always ready to help. So your article on racism in Lebanon didn't surprise me.
Towelheads can try to act superior in Detroit theyl end up crippled on the sidewalk or with a rifle up there ass , a racist sand Nigga lol you inferior stupid Africans are making us black Americans look bad who would kiss a sand niggaz ass stupid Africans. Arab women try to date us so badly but i just wave them on by cause they stank and are ugly inside and out , the the next arab ill meet im gone spit him in across the face .end of article idiots
When I went to Australia I met a lebanese guy at uni and knew him only for a month. But before I flew home this guy kissed my cheek when he was saying goodbye.I am an Asian woman (girl back then). But he was the only lebanese I met so I do not exactly know about racism in their people.
Arabs are racists to the core it doesn't matter from where.. I live in jordan and its what am facing everyday except when am in the house ......
This is very interesting. I'm black. 4th generation of descendants of slaves in the U.S. Our ancestors experienced the worst of humiliation and shame. We still walk around with the first and last names of slave owners.
One country or another means very little to me except in a biblical or historic context.
We've lived in America for four centuries. Our history is slavery. Every nation and culture lives here. Only laws we fought for and died for or went to prison for are what keeps them from literally hanging us in the street.
My father once said, "child, there is no such thing as racism. That word was created to hide the fact that we still in slavery."
He was a very wise old man. They removed signs that designated for colored only but it's still in their hearts. People would be amazed to know how many descendants of slaves do not consider America our home.
We're not immigrants and the only people in this nation who are not immigrants. Our history is unique and a black president does not change that. We refuse the melting pot that removes our history to blend in with this babylonian system of lies.
Man has always had prejudices based on the nations,languages, families and even the culture they came from, but racism is not the same as prejudice - based on nation, language, family and culture.
Racism is an American word that spread to other parts of the world. You need to know which you are experiencing. Blacks are prejudiced against blacks. But it would be ridiculous to say Blacks in America are racist against blacks.
Racism is about skin color. Descendants of slaves know our ancestors were scattered to the four corners of the earth.
Afro-cubans, Afro-Americans, Afro-british, Afro-Haitians, Afro-Brazilian, etc are called that because we are descended from slaves captured from all over Africa, chained and taken to various countries around the world.
To know who we are is priceless to us because our identity was completely removed.
Young blacks today don't care much for their history outside of being American. But my parents were the first generation to be born free from America's laws of chattel slavery. I know who I am and where I come from because the God of the Bible left our history there for us in due time. He did not forget us.
We're not Africans. We are Hebrews and many of our slave ancestors knew this and were killed to keep it from being known. Killed if they tried to leave written records. That's why they were forbidden to read or write.
America is a young country compared to other nations of the world. It's roots - the British crown. Native Americans who once called themselves Indians ruled this land long before they came here and have Hebrew origins as well.
All human beings are related to one another (Genesis 10). Prejudice is not a new thing. The word race is a creation of those who have always wanted to rule the world. It is not hard to figure out who they are. Look around the world and see who rules the nations today, even the continent of Africa. Is it the Africans ruling? You believe the people ruling Israel today are descended from Abraham, Isaac or Jacob? Israel is geographically located on the Continent of Africa. It is next door to Egypt. seriously. Those people ruling Israel are imposters.
Prejudices are global and yes, can and have separated people to be designated as slaves.
Racism was an invention of America to confuse the issue of their hatred for one people---the slaves and their descendants.
In ancient history no people were known by "race" They were always categorized according to nation and language.
Race is a modern invention that is about the color of our skin rather than where we come from among the nations of the world.
Enjoyed this very honest post young lady. You are very brave and have with others, opened up a dialogue that needs to be addressed no matter what the responses may be. Shalom.
shit you guys are scaring me.. i'm travelling to beirut with a mixed raced guy (african american/german). i'm dominican/german with lebanese influences but have never been to lebanon before. my family moved away from there after WW1, so the past few generations have all lived in the caribbean, the us or germany.
i look like an arab so i'm not really scared of encountering racism but what about my friend? he's not dark-dark and we're both very european looking in how we dress. will that be different then?
don't be scared maam. I am lebanese and I feel that the article does portray the experience of the author. Like in every country ever, there are good guys and bad guys.
This is true but am married to a Kenyan Australian. She is educated, caring, and our babies are cute. She is the best thing that have ever happened to me.
@Anon July 14/13 2:35 PM
I'm an Arab Lebanese female born and raised in Canada and I think it's wonderful that you found happiness with your wife, and that you didn't let BS racism(which is a disgrace to our race!) interfere with true love. I wish you,your lovely wife and your cute, beautiful babies all the best!
Cheers Bro!
I am Lebanese and can tell you that the nation is extremely racist, with the hierarchies mentioned. Lebanese don't like other Arabs mostly but absolutely don't think blacks and to a large degree south Asians are fully human. It is true to of many Lebanese in the U.S. I won't excuse it. I won't pretend that it is less than it is. You will be called a slave, people will say sly things and if they do treat you with any respect in your face will say things behind your back. They feel that if they do "let you" do things like eat with them, etc. it is magnanimous. Lebanese look up to Europeans and want to be White. We even call our dark skin neighbors and family names because we range in color from light to dark brown, with all those things in a family. We like it when we are lighter and look a little like the Christian Crusaders or French or others who have come through and left their genetic imprint from Europe. We even call our obviously dark and black descendant people slaves sometimes. The worst people are the uneducated people from the South though the inner city people including the people at the beach clubs (which like a lot of restaurants, etc., exclude blacks and Asians.) Black girls are raped and imprisoned as house slaves and there is not much law in Lebanon. IT is much better in other Arab countries but it is still bad in a lot of those nations. Just look at how it is and how people look on and do nothing. Sorry!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzRq9AOozeY
Hell, Arabs THEMSELVES are part-Black.
I am a Sri Lankan and my wife is a lebanese. This is partially true. I have seen good and bad both in Lebanon, just like many other countries.
I am well received by my in laws and colleagues though I wouldn't say the same in airport.
it just boils down to how enlightened any individual is.
So you see, there are way too much prejeduces against israelis.
So you see, there are way too much prejeduces against israelis.
Do you see how some people are more interested in if they pass the "not Black enough" appearance so they won't experience prejudice when they travel there? Or they state things like, "oh, you're Westerner and not a maid," as though any person **should** experience disrespect and violence? There's little hope for mankind with this type of thinking.
Some people are prejudiced and some are not. I still hope that people will travel and journal all of their experiences. This world hatred of Black people is spiritual.
Very Sad to read. I guess there is ignorance SPRINKLED about the globe. Racism will one day be archaic no matter where you live--until then some Ignorance no matter where you live.
Mocambik upper class light skinned?
Are they in part of portuguese ancestry? But i doubt that. The light skinned phaenomen is a result of british imperialism worldwide.
"that is so hardcore. It's little wonder that black people don't travel internationally much"
What do you mean with that sentence.The united states are far more racist against so called "black" people than most european countries, and also some asian countries, arab countries are less racist than the united states. The emir of kuweit is a little bit like obama half arab/half black african. He is the the king there. Or for example the small country liechenstein, neighbouring austria.
The son of the duke of liechtenstein is married to a black carrebean woman. Liechtenstein is still a monarchy. Is there any member of americas blue blooded families that is married to a "black" person?
Its not only africans. In lebanon, people from india, pakistan or the philippines are treated the same.
But racism against indians, philippinos etc would not prevent
those people from travelling around the world.
There's no upper class based in the colour of the skin in Mozambique. Just look at all the presidents of Mozambique. Upper class in Mozambique means the country's richest, it doesn't matter if you are black, white, Indian or coloured. Most of the people in Mozambique never experienced racism because it's a country dominated buy Black people.
Is your grandmother black? I doubt it ��
Wow! This is bizarre! Maids aren't people in Lebanon? Poor black people aren't people?
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