Racism on room advertisements

[Suetully]

I was going through spareroom tonight and some of the ads real 'Asians preferred.' I have some recollection of reading similar ads years ago saying 'Asians only.'

AIBU to think if ads like that read 'whites only' there would be outrage?

It'll be to fit in with the culture of the existing household. I don't see why personal preference shouldn't be allowed, really.
As a pp pointed out, specifying female or male depending on the current makeup of tenants should be perfectly fine too, why wouldn't it?
You should also be able to specify an age range without being accused of ageism, rather than being told you should accept a 55 year old in a houseful of 20 somethings.

Yabu that's not racist. I'm neither asain or white and wouldn't be offended by that. I actually understand that. They want someone from their culture theres nothing wrong with that.

‘Asian’ does cover a wide range though doesn’t it?

I just think the wording is wrong if it said Asian women requires flat mate it wouldn’t be racism, it would just imply that an Asian women would be preferred.

Asia covers a pretty wide area with lots of different religions and cultures so it is a pretty meaningless preference to state Asians preferred.

@Brieeeeeeeeeeee

Because it is reasonable for people from ethnic minorities, who are looking for a houseshare in a country where they will almost definitely have experienced overt racism, to try and protect themselves from further racism.

This is why.

@mustlovegin

YANBU OP

It's double standards to deem this request acceptable for some groups but not others, surely?

Asians are overwhelmingly more likely to be victims of race based crime, why is it unreasonable for them to seek a person that likely won't assault/abuse them for their race?

Posters saying YANBU, how would you feel if I said an advert saying "female preferred" or "female only" was unfair? Think what your response would be, why you might prefer female company and then answer. Sex segregated facilities etc.

@Comedycook

Is it even legal?

Why wouldn't it be legal? It's Spareroom, people are actually allowed to choose who they invite into their home.

@UndecidedPoster

They’ve probably experienced lodgers expressing how they struggle with the strong smell of their food, insert other microagression here. Everyone needs to be comfortable in their home. For some, this includes living with someone from the same culture. I don’t see the issue .

What would the white person’s reason for wanting to live with ‘whites only’ be?

This. While people who are proud racists would probably avoid lodging with an Asian person, lots of people who don't think of themselves as racist would still be capable of making an Asian housemate uncomfortable.

If I can compare: I'm a lesbian. Throughout university I had lived with multiple straight flatmates who said they were fine with my sexuality, but saw no issue with making lewd comments about lesbian sex or showing their discomfort about my partner visiting. And it was horrible to put up with that constantly in my own home, so when I graduated I looked around for a flatshare with other LGB people. Not because I'm "heterophobic", but because I wanted to feel safe at home.

@UndecidedPoster

They’ve probably experienced lodgers expressing how they struggle with the strong smell of their food, insert other microagression here. Everyone needs to be comfortable in their home. For some, this includes living with someone from the same culture. I don’t see the issue .

What would the white person’s reason for wanting to live with ‘whites only’ be?

I’m Thai and have lived in many counties. I’m currently living in the uk but I previously lived in a place where the area was predominantly Sri Lankan. I always chose to house share with white people as Sri Lankan’s were generally loud and aggressive, had poor boundaries and spent a large part of their time at home performing religious ceremonies where they loudly chanted and rang bells. I’ve lived in the uk long enough to know that advertising a room share but only for whites with no religion would be unacceptable.

That is the recent American interpretation of racism.

Privilege and oppression analysis is not recent. It has been part of the conversation in the US for a very long time, applicable to racism and the oppression of women.

So if a white person really hated the smell of curry, would it be fine to say "whites preferred" or even "No Asians, please" based on the assumption that an Asian would inevitably make and eat curry? I don't see why that's worse than an Asian assuming that a non-Asian will take issue with the smell.

Yes it’s bad and it should be worded in a way …
Such as, we practice Islam traditions in our house, so we would prefer you were a practicing Muslim or willing to follow the religious rules in our house.

Please note we feel more comfortable in just a female only household.

@Proudboomer

Asia covers a pretty wide area with lots of different religions and cultures so it is a pretty meaningless preference to state Asians preferred.

In the U.K. we know Asians mean south Asians.

Are you joking?

@Kitchendrama1

Yes it’s bad and it should be worded in a way … Such as, we practice Islam traditions in our house, so we would prefer you were a practicing Muslim or willing to follow the religious rules in our house.

Please note we feel more comfortable in just a female only household.

If they can say they feel more comfortable in a female only household (i.e. they prefer females), why is it 'bad' to say they prefer Asians?

@UndecidedPoster

They’ve probably experienced lodgers expressing how they struggle with the strong smell of their food, insert other microagression here. Everyone needs to be comfortable in their home. For some, this includes living with someone from the same culture. I don’t see the issue .

What would the white person’s reason for wanting to live with ‘whites only’ be?

Maybe they don't want flatmates micro-aggressing their greasy bacon sandwiches, backpacking and camping holidays, folksy indy pop music, yoga classes, and general stuff other cultures associated with white people. (I've actually seen items in these list described as microaggressions that white people inflict on other cultures to exclude or belittle them). Whites are not a majority in every city either.

If you are (for example) Moslem then it may well be convenient to have others with the same cultural beliefs. That would include not drinking alcohol and celebrating certain festivals.

I too find Asian such a broad term - in the US it implies SE Asia but to me as a Brit my first thought is “Indian”

I own a flat that I rent out to sharers. If someone leaves they have to find a replacement. Having to share your living accommodation with a stranger isn't easy. I believe they have every right to look for someone who they are likely to get along with. So their adverts may specify their gender/sexual preference and specific interests/hobbies. I have no problem with that.

I think the Venn diagram of people who think reverse racism is a thing and people I wouldn't want to share with were I Asian is close to a circle so no harm done.

@VladmirsPoutine this is for you!

A few years ago there was an investigation into letting agencies.

There were loads who did not consider people who weren't white as possibilities.

Often on instruction from landlord.

They got hidden camera recordings etc.

So there you go.

If there's an issue with racism I don't think that it's a huge issue for white people.

Links to ads please?

When they can just not take whoever if they don't want to then in the ad seems unusual. I've never seen one like that.

This is due to the past as it was common to advertise rooms and include no blacks, no dogs, no Irish.

Some really dippy Pollyannas on this thread. Anyone who thinks that Asian people are incapable of racism is laughably naive. Racism happens everywhere. I LIVE in Asia, and there is plenty of racism here too. Asian-Black tension is also common in a lot of western societies where both are minority groups.