Being Called "White Man" in Cameroon – Thinking About Race

I know I have posted about being a Chinese-American in Cameroon in the past. Today, I will delve deeper into my thought process and reflections on race.


I just finished reading Malcolm X’s autobiography, my all-time favorite book, for the sixth time. Since age 19, I have read this book periodically to gauge my opinions on race relations to see if they have changed or progressed. Growing up in LA, I am conscious of race because Los Angeles is commonly referred to as the “melting pot” of America, where the largest immigrant populations settle when they move to the U.S. Movies like “American History X” and “Crash” took place in LA. Yet even while I am aware of racial stereotypes and the jokes that revolve around them, I have never been directly discriminated against in my home city.

However, when I stayed in other states, particularly Richmond, VA, working on a political campaign, the year 2008 was the first time I had been taken aback by overt comments made by both whites and blacks. “What are you doing from Hong Kong trying to elect a black man president?” “I will not vote for a black man because…”,etc. I will not list other comments that were WAY worse. Needless to say, I became even more aware that people judge others by skin color in predominantly homogenized areas, regardless of whether the remarks made are intentional or out of ignorance.

In Cameroon and other countries around the world, the color of my skin is more obvious than even in Richmond, VA. “WHITE MAN” or “LA BLANCHE” or “NASARA” is constantly called at to Peace Corps Volunteers and expatriates walking down the street. I have friends who say they don’t mind being called “white man.” But that makes sense because some of them are Caucasian and male. Well, Carmen is neither white nor male. So with less than a year of my time here, I’m still very irritated when people shout this to me. I understand that this is a common term (in Pidgin it’s “white man woman”), or a calling out of admiration, curiosity, etc., but because of my race consciousness I still can’t let it go.

It’s like a knee-jerk reaction when someone calls me “white man.” Because I’m light, I must have money. “White man, give me money.” It’s difficult with some people to explain that I’m just a volunteer and I really don’t have money. But people look at my features and bronze-yellow skin color, and others flip to think that I’m Chinese. Lately, taxi drivers have tried to rip me off by doubling my taxi fare price when I know the correct amount. I got into an argument with a taxi driver on my way to the office because he tried to double my price, I told him I’ve been here for over one year and know the price, he made a nasty remark, then I said I’d rather walk, and he uttered a hateful comment and glared at me. I got out and found another taxi. What made him think that way towards me? Was he disrespectful because I’m “white”? Does he hate Chinese people? Was he just pissed off that day? I didn’t have time to explain my story, that I’m a volunteer trying to engage the community and not some businessperson trying to exploit Africa. He probably judged me on the color of my skin and/or my Asian features. I am still fuming. One hurtful comment a Cameroonian made to me when I first arrived in Bamenda one year ago as I walked by, “You Chinese people should get out of Cameroon and go back to China.” I certainly did not deserve THAT, seeing as how I am a representative of peace and friendship from the United States of America. It makes me believe that human nature, regardless of one’s race, can be inherently ignorant by judging appearances.

I don’t mean to generalize this opinion about everybody, of course. There are awesome white people and awesome Cameroonians and awesome Cameroonian taxi drivers (I’ve had some of the best conversations with them here) that are completely respectful to me as a Chinese-American. But I do also believe that white volunteers’ treatment and experiences are far different than minority volunteers’. Generally, Cameroonians admire the Chinese so they are usually nice to me (just like white people – look up Stuff White People Like: Asian Girls). But I have also seen how Cameroonians act towards black Americans (particularly black American women), and they definitely would not treat a white man that way.

As Malcolm X broke with the radical Nation of Islam and Elijah Muhammad, he traveled to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca and learned that there are light-skinned peoples in the world that are peace-loving and celebrate brotherhood and sisterhood. I wish more Cameroonians (and Americans) would have the opportunity to travel out of their home country and meet peoples and cultures from all walks of life. Or at least tune in to BBC news. It’s a good thing PCVs serve worldwide to promote Goal 2…