About four years ago, when we moved to Zurich, I boarded one of the commuter trains here. Using the train was a new thing for me. I took the trams when we lived in Bern and commuter trains are non-existent in the South.
As I was trying to find a seat on the crowded train, I went through one compartment to another. I made the mistake of not closing the adjoining door. I didn’t realize this until I heard the door slam behind me.
A white man, probably middle aged - and drunk - had slammed it. He was sitting in the seat closest to the door. Understandably, he was a tad bit perturbed because of the noise of the train coming through the door.
I winced and said, “I’m sorry.”
“I’VE BEEN TO SOUTH A-FREE-KAH!” he screamed at me.
“Excuse me?”
“I’VE BEEN TO SOUTH A-FREE-KAH AND I KNOW WHAT THE BLACKS DOWN THERE HAVE DONE!”
He kept screaming. And screaming. From what I remember, he was riled about how the blacks “down there” had ruined the country.
I was still in the throes of culture shock, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to do. The guy was drunk. Obviously something more than an open door had riled him and I was an easy target. At the rate he was going, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d spat on me.
So, I did exactly what I thought I should do on a crowded train. I attempted to make eye contact with someone - anyone - to help me.
As if on cue, almost every single person I looked at looked away from me. They put their heads back down in their papers or stared out the window.
And he kept screaming.
I made eye contact with one woman, who sort of gave me this weak smile and looked away.
I decided the best thing for me to do was to get away from this idiot, so I walked down the train aisle to the next compartment as almost every single person either weakly smiled, or looked away.
Later, I realized that I wasn’t really upset with the man who screamed at me. Let’s face it, he was drunk.
I was more upset and hurt by the folks who could look on and not do a thing.
And then I thought, “Maybe I’m just not worth the trouble.”
This is how I feel about the controversy running over the SVP’s political ad campaign.
The politics of the campaign can be debated. The images cannot. No matter how one explains it, they, along with the cute online game (see “Spiel 2″) are beyond racist. They are incendiary.
To find out more about the issue, read up about it on the Beeb. By the way, this isn’t the first time the SVP has done this.
The reason why the SVP continues on this path is not because its members’ want publicity. It’s because they know no one will speak out.
And that’s my problem with this country, especially Swiss Germans. When I’ve questioned some about why no one from the general public is calling the SVP on the carpet about this, save a few blogs, or marching in the streets in protest I’ve heard the following:
“Oh, just ignore them.”
“They’ve always done this.”
“It won’t help.”
But, when the US started its campaign in Iraq, thousands of people left their desks and marched in the streets of Zurich to protest. I can almost guarantee that perhaps only 10 percent of these people knew an Iraqi much less had been to the country.
You have Swiss people - and quite a few whites here in Switzerland who aren’t Swiss - who are willing to speak up and march for folks they’ve never seen, but have issues speaking up and marching for folks who work in their offices, clean their toilets, sweep their floors, serve their food and serve as underlings in various capacities; folks they see
every
single
day.
These people, these same people who actually believed that they could make a difference in a war thousands of miles away and initiated by a screwed up government, do not believe that they could make a difference by marching about something going on a few steps away.
Maybe we Auslaenders really aren’t worth the trouble.
Granted, there is a difference between a country being bombed and a racist political ad campaign, but I truly believe that with this latest controversy, combined with the anti-minaret campaign in various European countries, including Switzerland, Western whites and us “others” are on a collision course.
As E! stated correctly, quite a few Swiss cannot tell one black person from another. If the SVP’s campaigns make an idiot feel comfortable about smacking a “neger” upside the head, he or she isn’t going to care if they come from Tennessee or Tazmania.
“But Rashunda, why don’t YOU march? ”
Who do you think would have more of an impact speaking out against racism and xenophobia here: Someone named “Rashunda” or someone named “Renate”?
Of course, I’ve made my sign and it’s sitting in my office right now. I just don’t know if having a nappy-headed Auslaender walk around with it would have a positive effect.
So, to answer everyone’s question: I am appalled at the SVP’s campaign. How anyone living in 2007 could come up with something so, so freaking stupid is beyond me.
But, it’s the silence of the majority of the Swiss population that appalls me more.
Comments (27)
Thanks for sending me this. I am crossposting it on the Black Women in Europe blog now!
Rashunda, thanks for sharing your take on this racist ad and how silence and complacency plays into the problem.
Upon further reflection, I’ve decided that my previous comment about not being worried about this proposal was short-sighted and ill-thought out. It’s not this particular proposal is it, but the gradual escalation of the ideas.
I’m so sorry to hear of your train experience. As for the ZH protests against the US attacks on Iraq, I’ve seen personally how it can be that people find it easier to get “involved” in issues from which they are quite far removed, rather than the ones to which they are close. Might this have been such a case?
@z
I’m not sure. Perhaps that’s why Caritas is so popular. Maybe it’s easier to drop a coin in one of those little cans than it is to stand up for a neighbor.
I understand what you’re saying, Rashunda. But I think there are two things you need to keep in mind.
First, the people who marched against the war in Iraq (and I wasn’t one of them) were mostly school kids who a) wanted a day off school, and b) thought it was cool to do something anti-American. I know a lot of them, and believe me when I say that concern for Iraqis was never, never much of a concern for them.
Second, I agree that the black sheep scandal is not being talked about enough. It’s a shocking sign of the times that a campaign like that passes as within the boundaries of acceptable political debate for most Swiss people.
BUT things *are* being done; the SVP is being sued (and rightly so) by at least one anti-racism organization, and almost everybody I’ve talked to (though I admit my friends are not a representative sample of Switzerland) is appalled.
What really is a “foreign” concept in Switzerland is not so much speaking out, it’s demonstrating and marching, as you suggest. Probably due to our system of direct democracy - and that’s where people plan to voice their dissent. At the polls in October.
I’m not trying to defend Switzerland, because the level of subtle racism that is being accepted in this country is far beyond anywhere else in Europe (a campaign like this would never happen in present-day Germany, for instance). I fully understand how you feel - I don’t feel different. Just trying to put some things, such as the failure to go out and march against the SVP, in a certain context.
Hi Rashunda. Thanks for sharing your thoughts over on my post about this issue.
I’ve been helping start up a ‘hands on’ NGO in Zurich, and we’ve found just the reaction z describes among the Swiss - they are largely uninterested in volunteering to do projects involving local underprivileged groups. We get much larger reactions and donations when we work to benefit people in far away lands.
That stuff is really scary. And here I was thinking that it was bad in Denmark.
I lived in the UK for 5 years and around the parliamentary elections things would get really scary. My conclusion is that there is growing support for right wing parties in and around Europe and it is just a matter of time before things come to head.
This makes me feel very vulnerable because one has no idea how long before the pot boils over.
You raise some very good points about the majority silence.
@Jonathan
“What really is a “foreign” concept in Switzerland is not so much speaking out, it’s demonstrating and marching, as you suggest. Probably due to our system of direct democracy - and that’s where people plan to voice their dissent. At the polls in October.”
And the average turn out rate is?
It is saddening to see that a place like Switzerland which is supposed to the model of tolerance and balance democracy can countenance such acts. But then again, there is a level at which white people (from all countries) find that having people of colour around more of a nuisance than a help. Perhaps the nonwhite population in the country has reached its “tipping point” and folks are seeing far too many others and are feeling overwhelmed and afraid. Which is a pity. But it would explain the lack of outrage over what this party has done. Thanks for bringing this up Rashunda. I hope it pricks a few consciences.
I find there is a passive mentality in the Swiss culture in general. This attitude that if it isn’t in my backyard, its not my problem. I believe there are many empathetic Swiss on this issue, but as a rule, they do not get as passionate about protesting like other cultures.
It is a very insular and suppressed culture that focuses more on precision and “perfection” than the “ugliness” of change or evolution. Protesting seems almost “messy” to them.
I find it to be a very self-absorbed and frustrating culture to live with. Within families, many things are left unsaid. Therefore, it is not a surprise to me that in the larger “family” (Switzerland) that they would look the other way and not comment or protest about it. People of color are not the only cultures that are frustrated with the Swiss. Germans, British and French people have complained about similar apathy regarding the Swiss.
That is why (in my opinion) there are so many suicides of young men and many angry young people over there. They are raised not to express their grievances properly because they must pretend that everything is okay, despite the contrary. The denial level in daily life is extremely high. So why would one expect anything better beyond this?
Not making excuses for the apathy, just sharing my observations from years of dealing with the culture.
Sounds like you live with a bunch of spineless morons who somehow think they are morally superior
I’d have stood up for you.
Hi Rashunda,
I’m collecting information for a series of simple posts I’m doing about this election campaign and I would like to include links to reports by govt as well as independent agencies on prosecution/reporting of crimes (breakdown between violent and non-violent would also be helpful) and a comparison of the judicial decisions made in the cases of Swiss vs foreign perpetrators. You referred to this at another blog - zurika, I think - so I’ve come to you for help in gathering this information. Thanks so much!
And let’s remind people, I’m from a redneck southern family.
When I got to Canada, all people wanted to talk about was how terrible the black/white racism was in the south. Then the next time I would see them, they’d proceed to slam all the native Canadians as drunken thieves.
Swiss peopel are passive, I got that impression dealing with a Swiss person for a while and visiting Zurich and St. Gallen. The German regions are indeed the worst. I have my own opinions on the racial issues, which I’m sure the author will not agree with but that’s okay.
I am sorry she had to be abused by that drunk idiot though and I would have told him…”Everytime America bombs a country I will blame you because you are white like Bush”. :-)
@Z
I’ll have to admit that I was quoting the BBC article I linked to in my story:
“A recent study by the Federal Department for Foreigners found that while, at first glance, foreigners appear to be committing more crime than the Swiss, foreigners, especially young men, are also more likely to be charged - whereas young Swiss may be let off with a caution for the same offence.”
But, I do have someone looking for the actual study in German for me. I’m also going to try another contact.
What do you do against a party that is backed by a *lot* of money? They live off the attention they garner with these type of stunts.
I am appalled.
I would march. it’s just a little dumb doing it on your own… What should I do, paint my own sign and walk down Bahnhofstrasse with you, Rashunda?
At least I am gonna vote and will fill in the social democrat slip, is that enough?
Rashunda, I am interested in moving to Switzerland (from Texas), and I would be very interested in hearing more about your impressions of that country. Please e-mail me. Thanks.
@Suzanne - > Have sign, will travel.:-)
@Sandra - > Probably the best thing to do is to search for “Switzerland” or “Swiss” on my site. That will give you more of a view than me writing an e-mail.
@Kaylois - don’t you find your generalising comments just a bit racist towards white people..? Just a thought…
What a difference a few decades make! When I lived in Switzerland in the early 70s, I would literally stop traffic since so few people had ever seen a Black woman. As Jonathan and Jocelyn correctly noted,the Swiss are very insular. For centuries they lived in their little mountain paradise, assured that all was well with their alpine walls.
When I lived here, Turkish men had “Gastarbeiter” status: they had to live in dormitories; their families were not permitted to live in Switzerland, and they had to return to Turkey after a year. Many Swiss then were concerned about the growing reliance on foreign labour for menial jobs, particularly because they felt the Swiss were becoming haughty (hochmütig) and no longer valued the old simple hardworking Swiss ethos.
Fast forward to two years ago. I was horrified to learn that an old boyfriend of mine is quite friendly with Bloch and thinks the world of him. Hansueli insists that the U.S. and the European Union are trying to force their standards on the Swiss. He points to Italy as proof of what happens if a country is too kind to immigrants. I pointed out that the Swiss seem to have no trouble with Sudanese latrine cleaners or Thai lap dancers; Hansueli feels that those jobs are proof that the jobholders should not be permanent residents. Hmmm…
I do think the Swiss are unused to being under the microscope, and a lot of the sentiment that is being expressed is a result of their inability to deal with the close scrutiny.
@Marghretta
I hear ya. I remember those days when the men used to that (in the 1980’s). As I continued my visits there over the years, I started noticing a difference in the late 1990’s. More hostility/indifference, even from some of my husband’s relatives.
I just don’t think they are used to diversity of any kind. Especially if that diversity comes in larger numbers.
I also noticed that the blacks that are there actively seek out eye contact from you like they are hungry for connection with other people of color. I did not see that in the early 90’s or 80’s.
I thought you’d want to check this out. Mainstream press coverage, for what it’s worth. This was just printed in Newsweek Int’l:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20919945/site/newsweek/
Rashunda, this post has been brewing in the back of my mind for so long, I have to finally comment on it. I’ve been contemplating and questioning some of the things you and others have said. So I’m just going to take it from the top, and I hope I don’t offend along the way.
First of all, look at those stupid sheep in that picture. Talk about not making eye contact! Real sheep, while not actually stupid, are a fitting symbol for this image. They stick to their own herd and dislike strangers. I had to tend my father-in-law’s sheep once when he went on vacation, and I had to go by there for a few weeks beforehand to get them used to my voice.
Now, about this train episode. Why were you looking to others to help you? Public transportation is about the last place to look for someone to jump up and get involved in unpleasantness. (I couldn’t even get a seat on the bus when I was pregnant.) But there are a million things you could have said to that jerk! How about: “Damn! It’s a good thing you’re not driving!” Or “Well, I’ve never been to South Africa and I couldn’t care less.” Or, “Dude, mellow out.” Or any number of other things.
I don’t understand why you were hurt by others not knowing how to act when you didn’t know how to act yourself. Relocating was a good idea–no need to give such people any energy–but I wonder what impression the other passengers had, compared to the impression they might have had if you had made a response.
The Swiss people’s “reserve” has to do with space. People are the way they are because that’s how they get along together within their limited space. They’re independent and neutral, and don’t get involved in others’ stuff. The landscape and climate also play a big part. I come from Florida, where there is a flat horizon and 300 clear and sunny days a year. In Switzerland, the fog rises up and the clouds press down, and you huddle inside your coat. It’s a case of body language influencing personality, rather than vice versa.
You wrote: “I just don’t know if having a nappy-headed Auslaender walk around with it would have a positive effect.” But you DO know that NOT walking around with it won’t have ANY effect, right?
Here’s an interesting link about voter turnout in Switzerland: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout#Salience
I don’t agree that the Swiss aren’t used to diversity. Twenty percent of the people living here are foreign, and I think in Zurich it’s 26%. In our little Dorfli, I think it’s about 10 to 15% and 10% of my daughter’s kindergarten class speaks a non-European language at home. When my daughter saw the above poster, I explained to her that her mama is a black sheep. She wanted to know if she’s a black sheep in the States, since she needs two fingerprints, a retina scan, and a note from her kindergarten teacher in order to visit her grandma there. I said it’s too bad sheep don’t have more colors. She reminded me that sheep wool can be dyed lots of colors.
I can’t vote, but I do have a Swiss child. I think that gives me much greater power.
From Rashunda: My response is here.
A politician or a political party is the mouthpiece of the people. There may be some who do not agree with this person or party. However, there is a silent majority that agrees to this racism. If the Swiss are so adamant about keeping them all white whya re they courting the dirty money from dictators and thugs in Africa, Asia, and Middle East. They are not whites. This seems double standard - you can keep your dirty money with us, but do not come here.
What happened to the US lawsuit against the Swiss government about keeping Hilter’s gold?
Rashunda, I’ve no idea why you support criminal foreigners in Switzerland. Are you such a black sheep yourself? I hope not!?
@Markus - > Sorry, not taking the bait.:-) But yeah, I’m a black sheep: I jaywalk.
So do I.
Trackback/Pingback (1)
Swiss Racism and Xenophobia?
There has been a lot in the news lately about Swiss Xenophobia and racism due to the largest party, a nationalist party, making provocative statements about immigrant populations. Unlike a lot of opinages, I have actually been to Switzerland (St. Gal…