So I got banned from China....

[Blue Shoe 2]

No, seriously.


I used to travel often as part of a "teacher exchange program", and one of my more recent trips was to Beijing. While still acting as a teacher, I had taken photographs of monuments, including one of a statue that I had sat upon. A police officer stopped me, and apparently it was considered defacing a monument. I was ejected from the country and am only ever allowed back in if i'm there for diplomatic reasons (if I somehow become an ambassador, politicion, things of that sort).

which leads me back to: No, seriously?!?:excruciating:

[joz]

Haha!

[Dudebro]

I hate to go there but is it because you're muslim or look like you might be? I know the whole photographing monuments thing is part of the watch list, along with not being a white christian.

[Blue Shoe 2]

I try to dress traditionally when not in a professional place so as to shoot down misconceptions about muslims. So yes, I was wearing a robe and taqiyah. Considering this was China, I doubt it had to do with my religion, but rather an anti-immigrant sentiment.

[Dudebro]

I mean no offense really but how does dressing in a traditional muslim garb shoot down misconceptions? From what I understand most of the people who dislike muslims do so because they refuse to blend in with other cultures and instead insist on being so noticeably separate.

I also don't see China caring about that like they would in the US but it's possible. There's lots of paranoia about muslims around the world and being dressed traditionally and photographing potential targets(from their point of view) might cause some red flags to go up. But yeah it's probably more about xenophobia.

[Demon-Mask]

Actually, Chinese monuments are very important to China, and you are not to do anything to "deface" them. It is a very serious crime to "deface" these monuments.
And, China is a rather xenophobic nation.

[Slime Slayer]

That's friggin insane. There must have been a prejudice motive to not even let you off with a warning.

[Dudebro]

It's China, they don't need a reason.

[joz]

Just thank whoever it was that had you kicked out instead of jailed.

[Demon-Mask]

Yeah, Chinese law is very intense, and not all that friendly.

---------- Post added at 06:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:26 PM ----------

Just thank whoever it was that had you kicked out instead of jailed.
Chinese jail would suck.

[psimaster]

Wasn't China an isolated country?
Plus, Chinese law says that no one can look at the Emperor's face, or else it would make him "Impure". Well that's stupid.:(

[Blue Shoe 2]

I mean no offense really but how does dressing in a traditional muslim garb shoot down misconceptions? From what I understand most of the people who dislike muslims do so because they refuse to blend in with other cultures and instead insist on being so noticeably separate.

I also don't see China caring about that like they would in the US but it's possible. There's lots of paranoia about muslims around the world and being dressed traditionally and photographing potential targets(from their point of view) might cause some red flags to go up. But yeah it's probably more about xenophobia.

The idea is that if someone sees me dressed up traditionally while drinking a latte and playing tf2.... they're going to have a double take.

[Demon-Mask]

The point is that just because you are Muslim, doesn't mean you aren't human just the same as the rest of us. I like it.

[samejamesbond]

Chinese jail would suck.

Any Jail would suck.

But I think DB nailed it, China is infamously known for its xenophobia,
mostly out of fear of exposure to capitalist and democratic ideals,
but still, it may have been racist judgement on you appearance that
led to this encounter with the Chinese Authorities.

[Demon-Mask]

You do realize that a racist judgment based upon someone's state of dress/skin color would automatically be considered xenophobic, right?
That post gives the impression that xenophobia and racial discrimination are two separate things.

[samejamesbond]

You do realize that a racist judgment based upon someone's state of dress/skin color would automatically be considered xenophobic, right?
That post gives the impression that xenophobia and racial discrimination are two separate things.

Because they are, one is based on race, the other on nationality.

[Demon-Mask]

Nationality and race go together, generally. Sometimes, even I make mistakes.
It's very rare though, so don't get cocky.

Though, I think the term "race" is incorrect as a whole. Humanity is all one race, ethnicity/skin color are more like the breeds of a cat than anything else. A tabby cat and a calico cat are both house cats, just different breeds, not whole different races.

Well, that was out of place, sorry.

[Belmontzar]

Nationality and race go together, generally. Sometimes, even I make mistakes.
It's very rare though, so don't get cocky.

Though, I think the term "race" is incorrect as a whole. Humanity is all one race, ethnicity/skin color are more like the breeds of a cat than anything else. A tabby cat and a calico cat are both house cats, just different breeds, not whole different races.

Well, that was out of place, sorry.
To use a line from one of my Darker pals.
"Skin color? honestly who gives a :sheep:? White, black, grey, orange.. its just muscle wrapping. Underneath your just meat and in the future you will be dust and ash."

yeah he has problems but has a point regardless..

On topic: ID have gotten toasted too.. I like to see statues.... I also tend to randomly poke things so.. yep.

[Dudebro]

yeah he has problems but has a point regardless..
What problem would that be? Sounds like he's just a realist to me.

[samejamesbond]

Nationality and race go together, generally. Sometimes, even I make mistakes.
It's very rare though, so don't get cocky.

Though, I think the term "race" is incorrect as a whole. Humanity is all one race, ethnicity/skin color are more like the breeds of a cat than anything else. A tabby cat and a calico cat are both house cats, just different breeds, not whole different races.

Well, that was out of place, sorry.

Well, race is in fact incorrect, there are no real major
determinants for race. We just use skin color and facial features
when genetically were're barely different from each other.

To use a line from one of my Darker pals.
"Skin color? honestly who gives a :sheep:? White, black, grey, orange.. its just muscle wrapping. Underneath your just meat and in the future you will be dust and ash."

yeah he has problems but has a point regardless..

On topic: ID have gotten toasted too.. I like to see statues.... I also tend to randomly poke things so.. yep.

I don't see anything wrong with what he said.

[Demon-Mask]

Race is incorrect, but people tend to be offended by my suggestion of using breed as an alternative. That's all it is, the difference between a tabby cat and a calico cat is the same as the difference between a white man and a black man.