More victims

They're such feeble people at times. And with this they'll continue to wonder why they're shunned.

Doubt this will be posted.

http://voicesofafrica.co.za/i-too-am-oxford-othered-university/

G-man:

Really? And this passes as some sort of racism, or you find it uncomfortable? People who are foreign receive all sorts of polite queries (which is what these examples are) and the odd ignorant presumption. It's nothing to do with colour, race or creed, but everything to do with mistaken engagement. But this says so much about Africans and their preferred victim status. It shows such a weakness of cultural character that you have to build a website asserting your sensitivities and managing to garner so much support and eager messengers. Have you no shame?

What you should be doing is educating people on your home land. Setting an example, changing perceptions by being unmoved by petty ignorance. Why do you have to disassociate yourself from people, and make them feel so uncomfortable when you could be forgiving of such tiny slights? It's disgusting really. I'd be mortified if I was an African who didn't see himself as a victim of white people at every turn. Grow up already! It's become quite pathetic.

Someone named Mapula has responded. I have answered him.

G-man:

Mapula. In every single example of ignorance above, it is patently obvious that these were the questions, responses and queries of initial encounters. These people holding the placards had some decisions to make. Quick ones. And they chose the wrong one.

The CORRECT response would have been to remain aloof, show a wry smile and then proceed to correct the misconception with an educated response. In this way they would have had the chance NOT to shame the person they encountered, but to both enlighten them and CHANGE the perceptions we all have of Africans (in particular). The broad perception of Africans is not incorrect if you take into account that so very few make a positive impression. You cannot and will not change broad stereotypes by reacting negatively, attempting to shame and blame, and accuse all and sundry of being racist (by implication if need be).

And what makes you lot so special? You don't think other cultures and races feel somewhat inferior and overwhelmed? The Koreans do at times, yet they combat this by playing up their virtues. And it works. What sort of cultural mien do you have, if your default position to any criticism (usually perceived) is to attack the messenger? When will you play the game as others play it? What are your virtues for that matter?

Africans need to take a long hard look at themselves. It's your biggest fault. Work at changing yourself and foreign perception will adapt accordingly. We're all frankly sick of your moaning and begging frankly. We don't need to understand you. We've all been there already.

And more:

G-man:

Quite right Hopeful.

You can always count on Africans to draw their weapon, take careful aim, and then gleefully take part in some self foot-shooting. Case in point is this fruitless and counter-productive exercise in blaming-and-shaming.

For one moment let's look at the fall-out from this exercise. How will the people who attempted to engage (albeit clumsily) with these Africans feel about having their ignorance displayed for all to chortle over? Do these Africans not think that they will think twice before ever kicking off a conversation with an African in future? Or how about even getting to know Africans? Let's just chalk this down as 'score one' for insulating yourself from 'outsiders'.

And how about everyone else who may have thought about befriending an African? Do you not think they may take a wide berth lest they have some imagined slight, or a question taken out of context placed on a cardboard sheet and posted on a derogatory, shame-filled web site?

In other words these Africans have successfully separated themselves instead of merging with their peers, and all because they'd prefer shaking up their victim status. It's the default position of the bruise-easy weaker cultures.