Racism in Thailand
Racism in Thailand is a system where Thailand's society treats people better or worse depending on their appearance (like skin color, hair, and face) as well as where they are from. Racism is a system that exists around the world, but because every country is different, the system may work differently in different places. Some parts of racism in Thailand are taken from other countries, but other parts are unique.
History
Much of Southeast Asia has a long history of assuming people with darker skin have dark skin because they work outdoors farming and are poor.[1] These assumptions are often wrong, but they are used to justify treating light-skinned people better and dark-skinned people worse. As a result, many people in Thailand have tried to make their skin whiter.[1] Today, major companies like Unilever make a lot of money in Thailand selling products that make skin whiter.[2]
Thailand also has a history of slavery. The Maniq (or Mani) people of Thailand are an indigenous people with dark skin who have been enslaved by monarchs from Malaysia and Thailand.[3] People often refer to them using offensive slurs that mean "slave"[3] in a practice similar to slavery in the United States.
Modern racism
The Black Lives Matter movement caused people to share experiences with racism around the world. One student wrote an article in a major newspaper saying that Thai people who believe there is no racism there are wrong.[4] Another newspaper interviewed a priest who came to Thailand from the United States and was treated badly; the police assumed he was a drug dealer from Africa.[5] Assumptions that black people are from Africa, are violent, and are very involved with drugs has been spread around the world by white people from places like the United States[6] and Europe.[7]
One Thai vlogger, Natthawadee 'Suzie' Waikalo, has frequently discussed how racism impacted her growing up.[8] In September 2020, a model in Thailand was called African and many racial slurs after she won a beauty pageant, because some people did not think her skin was light enough and she supported protests that are happening in the country.[9][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ana, Salvá (2019-12-02). "Where Does the Asian Obsession With White Skin Come From?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
- ↑ Hodal, Kate (2013-10-27). "Thailand racism row reignited by Unilever ad for skin-whitening cream". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brandt, John (1961). "The Negrito of Peninsular Thailand". Journal of the Siam Society. 49: 123–160. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
- ↑ Pisuttisarun, Palis (2020-06-08). Please stop pretending racism doesn't exist here. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1930964/please-stop-pretending-racism-doesnt-exist-here. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
- ↑ "African priest hits a wall of prejudice in Thailand". UCA News. 2020-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
- ↑ Martindale, Carolyn (2016-08-01). "Coverage of Black Americans in Four Major Newspapers, 1950–1989". Newspaper Research Journal. 11 (3): 96–112. doi:10.1177/073953299001100312. S2CID 157963698.
- ↑ Keene, Jennifer D. (2001). "French and American Racial Stereotypes during the First World War". In Chew III, William L. (ed.). National Stereotypes in Perspective: Americans in France, Frenchmen in America. Rodopi. ISBN 978-90-420-1365-0.
- ↑ "Thai woman highlights racism in her homeland". Catholic San Francisco. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
- ↑ "'You black, you trash': pro-democracy Thai beauty queen faces backlash". South China Morning Post. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
- ↑ "Thai beauty queen abused for political views, dark skin". UCA News. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-11-01.