A few weeks ago, a popular travel blogger posted an image on Instagram of the often-photographed Wanaka Tree in New Zealand, calling out the rude behaviour of the hordes of tourists attempting to take images of the lone tree in the lake.
We’ve all been in this situation while travelling: getting thrust aside as overly enthusiastic tourists endeavour to capture the perfect shot in the right light and without anyone in the frame with their camera, phone, iPad, you-name-it. This travel blogger pleaded with her followers to show ‘love and respect for nature and the Wanaka community.’
Yep, cool – totally on board with all of this.
But then the blogger ended with the hashtag: #whenasiansattack
Honestly, I’ve never been to New Zealand despite the country being our closest neighbour, and I hadn’t heard of the Wanaka Tree, nor do I have any idea what the crowds are usually like at Lake Wanaka.
I do know that there is absolutely NO reason in the world why race needed to be brought into this matter.
And for a travel blogger to do so in front of her 150,000+ Instagram followers (including many Asians, I’m sure) sends out the wrong message.
The photo and caption have since been deleted and an apology has been issued. In a follow-up Instagram post, she wrote: ‘I didn’t write it [previous post] with the idea of upsetting anyone; my thoughts were 100% rooted on protecting the nature and community of New Zealand and trying to remind people to respect the place they are visiting.’
I’m not entirely convinced by this apology. I understand the premise of wanting to protect and conserve our environment against the intrepid footsteps of travellers, but if she only wanted to make this point, then why did the offensive hashtag need to be included? Clearly, her message wasn’t directed at the mass of tourists that swarm around Lake Wanaka – she was pointing the finger at a specific group of people, all the while lumping an entire race together.
The responses to this photo were mind-boggling. As expected, many people took offence to the hashtag, but there were also those who wholeheartedly agreed and called people out for being too sensitive nowadays.
Well, yes, race has and always will be a sensitive issue, and particularly so when you’re not a privileged white person. Extra points if you happen to be male: congratulations, you have the entire world at your feet.
At the end of the day, casual racism is still racism regardless of what guise it’s under. It’s a softer form of racism, but it’s still racism nonetheless.
I’ll be the first to admit that I always make jokes about my culture and background at my own expense, and my friends also joke around me because they assume that I won’t be offended. It’s okay if you’re Asian, or if you’re friends with or dating an Asian, right? This nonchalant attitude towards casual racism needs to stop, because joking around about stereotypes simply fuels the ammunition for the prejudiced bigots out there who really believe these ideas.
Perhaps you also think I’m being a little too sensitive about this issue. I mean, it’s just a stupid hashtag, build a bridge, yada yada yada.
But until you’ve been told to ‘go back to your own country’ during a so-called friendly high-school all-girls football match; until you’ve been called a ‘slitty-eyed bitch’ and told to ‘go back to the rice fields where you belong’ while sitting on a train minding your own business as other commuters looked on; until you get constantly praised for your great grasp of English despite the fact that you were born, raised and did all of your schooling in Australia; until you get asked by your partner’s uncle if you ate your pet turtle (seriously, WHAT?) and all you can do is smile politely; until all of this happens to you: don’t tell me I’m being a little too sensitive about this issue.
Do you know that I feel embarrassed when I take photos of my food because I’m afraid of being branded as a ‘typical’ Asian? That I think selfie sticks are an ingenious invention, but I don’t own one because I don’t want to be seen as another Asian taking yet another photo? That sometimes I think twice about doing the peace sign because I don’t want to adhere to the Asian stereotype? Somehow I don’t think these are thoughts that Caucasians have running through their mind.
Casual racism is rife and all of these seemingly harmless experiences help to erect a dividing wall, and contribute to minorities feeling different and on the outer. Subsequently, minorities are constantly made to feel as if there is only one right way to do things and that you need to conform to the majority or risk being labelled as ‘different’.
After some thought, I made the decision to un-follow this travel blogger’s account, as I’m sure other people did as well. I know this won’t make a difference to her 150,000+ Instagram followers; I know she will continue getting sent to places around the world and props to her for carving out a successful travel blogging career.
But let me be clear: this piece isn’t an attack against a travel blogger.
I’m writing this to make people aware that casual racism, beyond hashtagging #whenasiansattack, happens on a daily basis for many people. I’m writing this as a reminder to myself that the buck stops with me…and with you.
Ignoring it would be saying it’s okay, and casual racism is never okay…even if you are a famous travel blogger.
NOTE: A variation of this article was published on Daily Life on 9 June 2016.
