 |
I can pass as a local in China,
but not in India |
In her post, “
I
Am a Good Muslim: I Wear the Veil,” Navine Murshid describes being mistaken
for an Indian, and a Hindu. Although
Navine and I wandered through those alleys near Nizamuddin Dargah together, my
experience was in some ways the opposite of hers. In India, I felt like I found out what it's
like to be white.
I have traveled in non-Western countries before, but only in
East and Southeast Asia, where my Chinese ancestry gives me the privilege of
hiding or displaying my first world, Western status almost at will. In China, where I spent many years working
and doing research, in Thailand, and Korea, I could choose to fade into the
crowd (or be treated to cheaper prices) by speaking Chinese/keeping my mouth
shut, modifying my posture, and inching away from my non-Asian travel
companions (including my 6’2” green-eyed husband.). When I wanted to be treated as a wealthy
American (to get good service, or just to sail unquestioned into a fancy hotel
lobby to use the toilet), I would lift my chin, put a confident bounce into my
step, and (most importantly) chat loudly in fluent American English.
