‘Indonesian helpers are thieves’: shocking statements of prejudice toward ethnic minorities exposed by charity’s campaign to tackle racism in Hong Kong
- Video series ‘Stories of Everyday Racism in Hong Kong’ is being released on Facebook and YouTube in both English and Cantonese
- Campaign show attitudes to race are mired in past with some suggesting combating systemic racism starts from lack of diversity in schools
“Indonesian helpers are often thieves.... Sorry, we cannot accommodate Africans.... We don’t rent to Pakistanis.”
These might sound like shocking statements, but in a new video campaign on social media, Hong Kong charity Resolve Foundation aims to show how racism is a harsh reality for many non-Chinese ethnic minorities in the city, and how those discriminated against are fighting back.
The voices in the campaign include: a law student from Togo in West Africa who recalls how Hong Kong landlords told him: “Sorry, we don’t want an African”; a Bangladeshi English teacher who recounts being described in derogatory terms by a student; an Indonesian helper who describes being shouted at by restaurant staff for requesting an English menu.
The campaign will publish one new video every week until November 6, culminating in a live panel discussion with a Cantonese-speaking audience.
One of the speakers for the event, Yasir Naveed from Pakistan, explains to the Post what “everyday racism” means to him.
“A very obvious example is that I cannot take a taxi in Hong Kong, and it’s just because of the colour of my skin,” Naveed, 28, says. “At least 90 per cent of the time, they won’t stop for me. Even if I queue up and get into the back of a cab, the driver will tell me to get out.” The environmental consultant says nowadays he does not even bother with taxis, opting instead for ride-sharing services.
At least 90 per cent of the time, taxis won’t stop for me
