A racialized worldview

[Ike]

Ever since stumbling upon the f44s over the summer, I've been seeing the world through extremely racialized lenses.

The problem is, I don't know when to stop, and I don't know how to stop. Presumably most other people on this site have overcome this and been able to lead healthy, normal lives, so can I get some pointers?

[atlasien]

I think I've seen the world that way from the age of 6-13 or so then 16-20 and then on and off again over the years. My 2 cents:

You could think specifically about what negative emotions (e.g. fear, rage, anxiety, generalized fight-or-flight reflex) have racial triggers. Maybe if you examined this, you could also think of ways to combat the negative emotion being triggered.

If you tend to have a very analytical frame of mind I would suggest more study of racism and psychology. That way you would feel more in control of the situations and more dispassionate about them.

If you feel you're often being triggered by Asiaphiles, I suggest not engaging them in any way whatsoever. Just immediately break eye contact, move about 10-20 feet away, think of something else. Don't take ownership of their behavior.

Lastly you could try taking a vacation. Enjoy nature. Leave your other troubles behind as well. Go to a place where you are a real foreigner and do foreigner-type touristy things in a relatively unobnoxious way.

[atlasien]

And I forgot to add, you could look for a volunteer opportunity if you haven't really done that before on a structured basis. Helping other people could give you a sense of productiveness when it comes to racial issues.

[howstrange]

Ever since stumbling upon the f44s over the summer, I've been seeing the world through extremely racialized lenses.
The problem is, I don't know when to stop, and I don't know how to stop. Presumably most other people on this site have overcome this and been able to lead healthy, normal lives, so can I get some pointers?
Try to view this as new awareness as just one of many enlightenments towards greater wisdom in your life. Yes, use it as an aid in understanding the world, but always keep in mind that the greater is not the individual nor vise versa. When it comes to your daily life approach each person you meet, every situation you happen upon, as something positive, unique and unknown. Otherwise you'll end up a crazy.. wallowing in bitter paranoia, over generalizing everyone around you.

[Ike]

If you feel you're often being triggered by Asiaphiles, I suggest not engaging them in any way whatsoever. Just immediately break eye contact, move about 10-20 feet away, think of something else. Don't take ownership of their behavior.

*sigh*

I just clicked on some of the ad links at the top of the forum index. Now I'm angry again. So much for avoiding Asiaphilia...

[Scowl]

Sooner or later, you'll simply get tired of it. The fire only burns for so long, you know? I don't know if that's good or bad.

[Scaramanga]

*sigh*

I just clicked on some of the ad links at the top of the forum index. Now I'm angry again. So much for avoiding Asiaphilia...

I don't see any ad links on top of my forum index, it's just a strip of gray so it's easier for me. :)

Perhaps some adblockers will help you send all the bad feelings away.

[Dialectic]

Howstrange posted some good advice. It is simply another lense which further enlightens one's understanding and relationship with the world. It is not meant to be totalizing or absolute. And if you want to balance craziness, you can always try seeing things totally through gender, sexual orientation, economic, and environmental lenses too :P

[nskripchun]

Howstrange posted some good advice. It is simply another lense which further enlightens one's understanding and relationship with the world. It is not meant to be totalizing or absolute. And if you want to balance craziness, you can always try seeing things totally through gender, sexual orientation, economic, and environmental lenses too :P

Don't forget spiritual, cultural, and national lenses!

Yep, here at the F44s, we're all about enlightenment. :)

[Tyger Durden]

Ever since stumbling upon the f44s over the summer, I've been seeing the world through extremely racialized lenses.

The problem is, I don't know when to stop, and I don't know how to stop. Presumably most other people on this site have overcome this and been able to lead healthy, normal lives, so can I get some pointers?

sorry to break the news to you, but if you do ever lead a so-called "healthy, normal" life, there will always be a racist incident in your real life that will make you look at the world, once again, through racialized lenses. If not soon, then later.

you can pretend to be invisible, walk on eggshells, say all the right things, dress the right way, live the right life, hang out with the right people, floating like a leaf on the caress of a gentle wind, la-di-da, but something will pop that magical bubble of immunity sooner or later. It may come in the form of snide remark, a subtle jab, a "no offense...but" racist joke or outright discrimination. That's the way it is.

it's all about how fast you can re-focus your life back to the non-racial stuff you truly want to see...but i'm afraid you'll always see race. Just don't let it affect you that badly. Maybe that way of seeing becomes a new "normality" to you.

edit: the non-racialized way of looking at the world may be akin to the expression--"looking at the world through rose-colored lenses", but if it's beautiful to you, keep seeing the world that way for as long as you can, while you can. Good luck.