College in Hawaii (friendly, European, better)

[UHgrad]

Originally Posted by yethban

I have been given the opportunity to go to college in Hawaii. I was extremely excited until I began to encounter all of the "white racism/ Haole" stuff. I'm now worried because I am caucasian and have no other heritage other than European. I am from Virginia and won't know anyone. The main reason for me wanting to go to this college is because of the cultural experiences it offers (I love cultures and how diverse our world is). What should I do because the racism problem is really worrying me?
Thank you in advance!

I'm from Virginia, I moved to Hawaii when I was in my 20's, I went to U.H. Manoa, I did experience some minor stuff but it is no worse than the black/white/mexican issues we have back home. Don't be loud, don't be pushy, don't walk around telling people how they do things better back where you are from. So basically don't act like all of the New Jersey transplants that we have down here in Virginia that get on our nerves. LOL. You should be fine, especially in a college setting. Remember, southern hospitality and aloha spirit are basically the same idea with different names.

And if you get into a confrontation with a local (not that you should), try to diffuse it and then just walk away (unless you don't have that option) because it will quickly go from 1 on 1 to 1 on 10 and a lot of local boys will relish a chance to "false crack one haole".

But seriously, racism would be on the bottom of my list for things to worry about, especially at college. Just go with an open mind and you will be fine.

[Futuremauian]

Originally Posted by HiloDiver

And sometimes, feeling you are the victim of "racism" is actually just that someone is being a total jerk to you and because they look different from you, you "assume" it's racism. (Not you as in CyberCity, but the "royal you".)

True Dat!!!
Several times in my life I worked for/with total douchebags, and realized that was the bottom line. Meanwhile my African-American co-workers believed they were being victimized by racism, when the real issue was that the person in question was a jerk to everyone.
I wonder if this played a role in the tragic saga about former officer Dorner of the LAPD.

[yethban]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

When bringing up racism in the very first posting, it leads to the thought of troll.

If you are "for real", then I will assure you that at the bottom of your list of worries as a student in college in Hawaii should be racism.

'Nuff said.

Or this question was actually bothering me and I couldn't find an answer because everyone's circumstance is different. Also, I've found Hawaiian white racism on other websites... just google it (that's what brought me here also). I even know of someone who went to the same college I'm thinking about going to and experienced a little of it. Then again, there are others I know who had no problem.

[yethban]

Thank you!

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by HiloDiver

I think the whole racism/anti-haole thing is an urban legend. I've yet to see it, but I sure am weary of reading queries about it on C-D.

No, it's not. My late husband came from a large, local family (all pretty well to do) and I heard a lot of racist comments... mainly from the older generation. I've heard quite a few comments from other people too.

[yethban]

Thank you. I understand and will keep it mind. (This also goes to HiloDiver)

[yethban]

@ MidwesternBookWorm: Why did you delete my thank yous?

[yethban]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

We'll see if the OP, who in their very first posting brought up racism (with specifics of hateful attitudes) lets this drop now, or sends it off into trolldom.

waiting waiting waiting ...

Please stop calling me a troll. I don't appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

[CyberCity]

We get lots of trolls here, and there are sort of "markers" for it being that potential. Racism (especially when the post spells out the racist thought) being brought up in an early post is one of those. And to continue to beat the racism drum is another.

[yethban]

I understand that, but that doesn't mean that you should judge someone before you get to know them at least a little bit better.