Racism in China

Q: What gave you the idea to study the Black community in China?

A: I became interested in the Black community in Guangzhou in college. My bus ride to college passed through this rapidly growing community. In the early 2000s, more and more Africans were attracted to the booming wholesale markets in Guangzhou after leaving other southeastern Asian countries because of the Asian Financial Crisis. The community where I conducted my research was usually their first stop after they landed in Guangzhou. As a student specializing in foreign studies, I was just curious. Every time I passed through the community, I wondered to myself, “Where did these people come from, what motivated them to come to China, and – more importantly – what was their experience in China?

Q: What is the best memory you have from your research?

A: There are many. I met some amazing people who were very generous in helping me. One moment does stand out.  Africans, like other foreigners, had to apply for temporary residential permits, but the local office in the African community made it extremely difficult to obtain documents. I saw firsthand the great lengths they went through to maintain their legal status, despite all the draconian regulations. The lengths Africans went through not only contradicted the image in the news media that most Africans in China were aliens, but also made me reflect on my own struggles as a foreigner in the U.S. I realized at that moment that ultimately, my topic was about a universal human experience. That motivated me even more to continue my research.

Q: What’s a unique fact, surprising statistic, or a myth about your study subject?

A: I would turn this question around and say that in many ways the subjects of my research are just human beings trying to make the best decisions based on their circumstances. In this sense, they are not unique at all. In our studies of race and ethnicity, we are constantly fighting against exoticization of racial and ethnic “others.”

A myth we are always trying to bust is that people from different cultures, regions or racial backgrounds are very different, with no moral compass, and they are a threat to whoever the dominant group is. Africans in China are just traders trying to spend the least amount of resources and generate the largest amount of profit.

Sometimes they purchased knockoffs, sometimes they found creative ways to obtain their immigration documents and sometimes they overstay their visas when China’s draconian immigration regulations make it too costly to comply.

I have seen white foreigners do the same in China and I have seen Asians do the same in the U.S. There is really nothing unique. Yet, often times, these actions become tied to blackness, and that’s what my research tries to understand and combat.

Q: What’s something you’re passionate about outside of your research?

A: I am passionate about politics, especially urban politics. I am also a food fanatic. I like cooking and exploring different cuisines and food, particularly non-Western cuisines. Some of my favorite dishes are Feijoada, Tonjiru, and Kimchi Jjigae. I also love fishing.

Q: Is there someone who helped shape your journey?

A: I benefited from many people throughout my career, but my thesis adviser, Dr. Carl Nightingale, has been my inspiration. His commitment to racial justice, his knowledge, and his mentorship all imprinted on me in major ways.

Q: Is there a piece of advice you want to pass on to young researchers?

A: Attend as many conferences and meet as many other researchers as possible. By sharing your research with others and hearing from others’ research, you learn and grow as a scholar, and you hone your own research. You also build up an important professional network that can be a huge asset down the road in your career.