Because I’m Asian and I can remember like at least 10 instances where people in the US (Including Both White and Black people) would assume I don’t speak English before I had a chance to talk. I’ve lived in this country since 8, I speak on a native level. I wonder if there is just a subconcious “perpetual foreigner” stereotype engrained into people.
Because I sometimes feel uncomfortable. Like it just feels very awkward after I get asked that, then I speak English perfectly lol.
Honestly, in certain contexts, it might not always be what you think.
As an example, I’m pasty faced white, and I almost immediately profile other pasty folks as European tourists a lot of the time, in certain touristy areas.
I don’t mean it that as an insult, certainly not as racial stereotyping… Perhaps I should work on that, as my intent is to make them feel comfortable, not the opposite.
That being said, I know what you mean.
I have older family that visited Florida and once made an amusing old person comment on “all these foreigners” (referring to locals with roots in Cuba). Or others make slights at “Chinese tourists” specifically (who obviously live in the area).
…I also know some horror stories from the South I wouldn’t even repeat on Lemmy. But I’ll just say you might have met pleasant-seeming folks that would consider shooting you if you dated their kids, just because you’re Asian and they are white, like is freaking 1850.
Anyone who says America isn’t racist, or that kind of profiling isn’t a thing, has not seen its underbelly. :(