''Are you from Africa?'' harmless ignorance or unjustified prejudice?

Dude, lighten up. I get asked that but I don't see anything wrong with it. It's harmless ignorance, don't be one of those black guys that makes everything a political statement. Just relax, is this your first time or something?

Let me get to the point. Has any British students with ethnic origins been asked, not ''where are you from?'' but ''where are you from?'' or ''how long are you here for?'' kind of questions by staff and fellow hall residents?

I have and the first time i was brushed it aside. But literally more than at least twenty people since the start of University either thought I was ''that Nigerian student in halls''. On University exchange, was put in a certain block because I was ''one of those international students''. One staff member began conversation by asking with a smile, ''hello love how long are you here for?''. In a pre-lash a girl who I literally just met me put her hands into a fist and 'touched' hello me.



I don't even get a chance to open my mouth for them to hear my slang free south-west London accent. One girl over dinner embarrassed herself asking across the table, am I from Africa, for me to speak back ''aren't your parents from Israel? mine aren't''.

Is this really harmless ignorance or unjustified prejudice? why am I not hearing those of White British origin being wrongly asked if they are from Russia or Poland?

Don't get too excited though every Somali has distant cousins that might or might not be a celebrity because of our complicated but detailed family trees. Heck I've been told that one of my ancestors was a king!

Let me get to the point. Has any British students with ethnic origins been asked, not ''where are you from?'' but ''where are you from?'' or ''how long are you here for?'' kind of questions by staff and fellow hall residents?

I have and the first time i was brushed it aside. But literally more than at least twenty people since the start of University either thought I was ''that Nigerian student in halls''. On University exchange, was put in a certain block because I was ''one of those international students''. One staff member began conversation by asking with a smile, ''hello love how long are you here for?''. In a pre-lash a girl who I literally just met me put her hands into a fist and 'touched' hello me.



I don't even get a chance to open my mouth for them to hear my slang free south-west London accent. One girl over dinner embarrassed herself asking across the table, am I from Africa, for me to speak back ''aren't your parents from Israel? mine aren't''.

Is this really harmless ignorance or unjustified prejudice? why am I not hearing those of White British origin being wrongly asked if they are from Russia or Poland?

You've just ruined it for me

... I refuse to believe your lies

Probably more hilarious was the BBC report for the Royal Wedding:

[Reporter, interviewing several white people and an Asian woman]: So, have you enjoyed the celebrations?

[People]: Indeed we have, we were up early to watch!

[Reporter, to Asian woman]: When are you going home?

*awkward*.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRrYKhqHhRw

" In a pre-lash a girl who I literally just met me put her hands into a fist and 'touched' hello me. "
Did she "touch" hello to anyone else, or just you?

You've just ruined it for me

... I refuse to believe your lies

Let me get to the point. Has any British students with ethnic origins been asked, not ''where are you from?'' but ''where are you from?'' or ''how long are you here for?'' kind of questions by staff and fellow hall residents?

I have and the first time i was brushed it aside. But literally more than at least twenty people since the start of University either thought I was ''that Nigerian student in halls''. On University exchange, was put in a certain block because I was ''one of those international students''. One staff member began conversation by asking with a smile, ''hello love how long are you here for?''. In a pre-lash a girl who I literally just met me put her hands into a fist and 'touched' hello me.



I don't even get a chance to open my mouth for them to hear my slang free south-west London accent. One girl over dinner embarrassed herself asking across the table, am I from Africa, for me to speak back ''aren't your parents from Israel? mine aren't''.

Is this really harmless ignorance or unjustified prejudice? why am I not hearing those of White British origin being wrongly asked if they are from Russia or Poland?

Mainly harmless ignorance. Genuinely, I don't think people do it malevolently, they just don't know. I think it's polite to wait and hear someone's accent though because nine times out of ten it's immediately obvious what nationality they are.

Just develop a strong fake Nigerian accent and ask them for their credit card details.

You sure they're not asking you which city? Because I get "where are you from?" a lot and I'm white. But I say England too sometimes 'cause I study in Wales.

Let me get to the point. Has any British students with ethnic origins been asked, not ''where are you from?'' but ''where are you from?'' or ''how long are you here for?'' kind of questions by staff and fellow hall residents?

I have and the first time i was brushed it aside. But literally more than at least twenty people since the start of University either thought I was ''that Nigerian student in halls''. On University exchange, was put in a certain block because I was ''one of those international students''. One staff member began conversation by asking with a smile, ''hello love how long are you here for?''. In a pre-lash a girl who I literally just met me put her hands into a fist and 'touched' hello me.



I don't even get a chance to open my mouth for them to hear my slang free south-west London accent. One girl over dinner embarrassed herself asking across the table, am I from Africa, for me to speak back ''aren't your parents from Israel? mine aren't''.

Is this really harmless ignorance or unjustified prejudice? why am I not hearing those of White British origin being wrongly asked if they are from Russia or Poland?