It is not uncommon to hear that Asians and brown people have faced racism abroad. But it is always shocking to see them indulge in subtle racism themselves.
It was a rude shock for everyone who boarded a flight on Air China and read their in-flight magazine – Wings Of China. It indulged in outright racism against brown and black people in general.
The magazine warned its passengers to stay away from the areas in London “populated by Indians, Pakistanis, and black people.”
It said that London is “generally” a safe place to travel, but warned the passengers to exercise caution when entering local areas with Indian population.
A Chinese journalist Haze Fan brought it to the world’s attention with her tweet where you can see the “tip” Air China gives its passengers.
My story on my own experience reading Air China tips on safety in #London @MayorofLondon @markboleat https://t.co/CeXcROfabc
— Haze Fan (@Hazeology) September 7, 2016
The safety precaution is very ironical because London’s mayor Sadiq Khan is a man of Pakistani descent.
This is not the first time the Chinese have portrayed racism. In one of their detergent commercials, they put a black man in the washing machine to get a clean and fair Asian man out after the wash.
It has been called the most racist commercial ever.
The journalist’s tweet went viral on Twitter and the Indians lashed out with their anger. Here are some of the tweets –
1.
Fuck you Air China. pic.twitter.com/tsNpYSKI3X
— Rahul Kohli (@RahulKohli13) September 7, 2016
2.
WTF..!!! #AirChina.. Really???? https://t.co/3eLwa4hfES
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 8, 2016
3.
For a country that doesn't even have democracy China sure has lots of words to say about other countries https://t.co/tXu6kuwA5R
— Saumya (@SPN_FreakSaumya) September 8, 2016
4.
https://twitter.com/hollowmaniac/status/773728540554502144
Let’s hope the airline company gets a lesson in racism and stops injecting its passengers with prejudice. That too even before they interact with foreigners.
Because that’s how you make bad tourists.
News Sources – Times Of India, CNBC