Tag: racism

Racism Towards Blacks in Thailand — White Foreigners Make It Worse?

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I recently found this on a website, and given the fact this particular teacher is “white” in a pedaphilia-ridden area of Bangkok (that’s also plagued with rampant racism)…..I would like to know what’s your take on it. Does he sound like someone that’s part of this “ugly” system? Does he sound like someone who has empathy? Or someone who who’s perpetuating the racism here in Thailand?

“White-skinned native English-speaking teachers are definitely preferred in Thailand and all of Asia. That’s good news if you happen to be White as it effectively eliminates a good portion of your job competition. With few exceptions there are very few non-ehite English teachers in Thailand. My previous school even preferred barely understandable non-native English speaking white South Africans and Russians over non-white native English speaking teachers from America and the UK. Thais clearly prioritize presentation or looks over substance or quality when it comes to English teachers.They perceive white skin and Caucasian features as more attractive and presentable across Thai society. The longer I live here the more I tend to agree and as a white westerner as it works to my advantage. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a job as a teacher if you’re a non-white, however you’ll need to be very persistent, patient and flexible in what’s offered. There is no wrong or right about it. Thais get to decide what works or doesn’t work for them. It’s their world and they like it that way.”

By Tim, Rangsit (9th September 2020)

The Greatest Feeling in The World — Proving The Racist Thais Wrong

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When I had woken up in the morning, I didn’t want to check my whatsapp because I just wasn’t in a good headspace. Over the previous few days, and after finding out the news yesterday; a bitch, who I should’ve stopped working for years ago, literally terminated our work relationship — over mere opinions. I called her out on her lyingness and she literally said, “if you can’t score over 650, you can’t teach here because other teachers in BKK can and students have gotten 630…blah blah blah.”

However, I had already gotten a perfect score in listening, grammar, and almost perfect in reading…but according to her dumbfounded-Thai logic, it all must be on the same test.

If this is the case with the scoring, anyone who gets over 650 can be a teacher of TOEFL iTP.

That’s typical Thai logic.

She doesn’t know about what I do online, the persona I’ve gotten, or anything. She applying a racist, white-people-only mentality saying “you must get this to teach this.” If that’s the case, chemistry teachers can’t be chemistry teachers because they’re not chemists.

Smh.

I checked my Whatsapp after thinking about a previous Peruvian student I had had, and there it was, her score and elatedness.

“ARSENIO! I GOT 114 OUT OF 120 on TOEFL IBT!”

I quickly posted the score on social media, taking shots at the ignorant Thais….most specifically, the rat-poison I used to work for.

I have never taken TOEFL before, yet she got a 114.

Hmmm, I wonder why that is?

For 7.5 years, Thais have literally put me in a box because the color of my skin. Even after getting results, passing two of their students who had taken the test 66 times and passed it on the 67th…..no thanks given, no pulling aside saying “omg, thank you so much!” They brushed it off like it didn’t even happen, and that’s when my frustration continued to grow because I know those bitches just have it deep-down inside that a brotha can’t do it.

So they invented the most preposterous statement, stating “you need to get this score to be a teacher.”

But what about your white teacher in Bangkok? Has he taken the IELTS? No. Has he proven himself? ABSOfuckinglutely NOT….he’s been denied jobs because he wasn’t good enough to land himself a job at a place I got hired at.

But when mentioned, she completely deviated away from the question, got all bitchy (which she did in January of 2018) and left the chat group, showing me “you’re finished.”

However, her companion knows how good I am, although I can really give a fuck because I know my greatness and don’t need anyone to tell me otherwise. She told me she was crying, which was definitely apparent, and that she didn’t want to terminate the relationship.

After making amends, I told her that I would NEVER work for rat-poison again (her ratchet companion) but this was also a very soft letting-go, too. She just doesn’t know it.

In saying that, this reminded me of the ugly-old Brit who said “I don’t think you’re as good as you say you are.”

The same Thai bitch at New Education World who wanted to test me in SAT and see if I can write — again, how does a reading portion of a completely different test indicate that I’m good or not good in writing is THAI LOGIC.

Having that photo and getting that respond was the greatest fuck you in all of mankind, and I’m so grateful that I’m able to continue getting better. This was to prove no one wrong but myself. It’s hard letting meaningless opinions, which is frankly cancer, make it’s way into my subconscious mind. But that score destroyed the self-doubt of me. “Can I really do this? Can she really attain this score?”

114.

Yes.

She can.

And you can do it.

Stop letting the negative cancerous opinions of broken mindsets become your reality.

The Ramble of Positivity: Episode 033 – Third Travel of The Year is Here!

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I think what I might enjoy most, which is actually quite bad, is coming back into the country and shoving my visa in the faces of the dogs that want to keep me out of the country. LOL. It’s not only me, but horrific immigration laws have gotten far worse and they’re trying to kick out most foreigners, rather than bringing them in (which is the only way you can get better as an economy. Nonetheless, this is my third travel of the year. It’s still a bit head-scratching that I was able to do six massive trips last year and still save quite a bit of money. There were some crazy setbacks this year, and a 3-5 month, low-salary giving job really took a toll.

So, I took the bull by the horns. I told myself that I need to create my own assets. I need to create my own finances and not rely on a stereotypical, full-time job to give me ANYTHING. The salary they pay me, is in fact, criminal for who I am. Why do I stay? They give me a work permit…which is the only document that will allow me to stay here longer. This is good for the time being. It provides me not only with a sense of security, but the ability to flinch and look at officials in the wrongest ways (haha).

All negativity aside, I’m now full dependent. I make my schedule. I cancel classes, and now I’m starting to make residual income from all corners. Yes, one, if not two, have possibly come and gone, but it’s all about having multiple sources to protect yourself.

When I went to Malaysia, my salary was sound. Stayed at the Renaissance Hotel and all was well, but during that time, I had to spend 300 USD on my flu. When I spent 25000 baht (equivalent to 800 USD) on my trip to Singapore, I got hit with an exact bill for my visa. And remember, this was during the months that I was receiving next-to-NO-MONEY from my full-time job, covering just overhead expenses. I stopped relying on one woman, and I began creating a number of relationships. I made 4-5 private students, on top of doing big workshops, talks, and more workshops. I’m no longer going to put all my eggs into one basket, and that’s I’m truly grateful for.

Now on the cusp of going on a super cheap trip to a gorgeous country that I adore to do activities that I never thought about doing, TOAST TO IT!

Activities

Trekking, seeing clouds that are super low, gorgeous scenery, white-water rafting, and much more. This trip has my salivating already. Three solid days to document a glorious trip and now I’m beyond elated.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/thearseniobuckshow/traveling-pod-episode-013-chaos-in-bangk

What’s your Why?

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“No one had to eat out of Trash Cans!” – Eric Thomas

Everytime I hear that, it gives me goosebumps. Could you imagine eating out of trash cans, homeless (because you ran away because of endless lies) and other things that a homeless child would go through? Yes, bullying, depression, and suicidal thoughts…Eric Thomas experienced this, and his goal now is to help people overcome just about anything and everything.

His why? He felt the pain.

Being who I am today didn’t happen because I saw the light, it was because my back was against the wall and I hated myself because people taught me to hate myself. 2015 I said ENOUGH! I’m not going through this anymore! I’m going to create a platform to help others overcome themselves!

And score!

Not only that, but even creating a number of platforms that will help get my story out there and change lives in regards to not only personal development, but English language communication.

I now have my WHY. I now have my purpose.

And even thinking about The Arsenio Buck Foundation? The ultimate life-assignment of them all….boy, I can’t be grateful enough.

But this isn’t about me. It’s about you. I’m scared for a lot of people out there because they don’t know their why. They don’t know what makes them tick. They don’t know what wakes them up in the morning, and this is why I’m here to spread such a profound message and represent an idea for people to finally go after what is theirs in the universe.

What’s your why?

Arsenio’s ESL Podcast: International Guest Speaker – Actress/Tedx Speaker Ariane del Melo of Brazil

Arsenio’s ESL Podcast: International Guest Speaker – Actress/Tedx Speaker Ariane del Melo of Brazil

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Had the wonderful pleasure of bringing on an amazing human being. International Guest Speakers are back in action! Tune in for some great stuff and the show notes are down below.

Get in touch with Ariane del Melo, a TED Speaker.

Links:

Things we discussed:

Why the move to Germany.

Journalism, cultural differences, racial stereotypes and the flawed education system.

What the interviewee’s feeling about Germany is.

German language.

Sharing about teaching English in German kindergarten and being a salesperson in a German store.

The calling of ambition.

Entering the realm of theatrics.

A bullying victim and an experience in a German school.

What the advantages are of performing arts.

German and American performing arts difference.

Inner voice.

Advantages of facing death.

Her writing experiences.

How did the host earn herself a writing internship and a publishing contract? Learning German.

The beauty of Germany and the opportunities it has for foreigners.

Purpose of self-development.

Being yourself is important.

Being authenticity isn’t being creative but it is who you are.

https://open.spotify.com/show/7hdzplWx6xB8mhwDJYiP6f?si=5vUca3p2QGuWPZbhzCRwBw

Thank you for listening!

Links:

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  4. Podcasts: https://www.spreaker.com/user/thearseniobuckshow, https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-arsenio-buck-show/id1181794790?mt=2, https://open.spotify.com/show/0x39CEN5tHvfRtfZaAMTgQ?si=8cpdu1rTTjKHogufXh91Cw
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When You Realize You Have An Indomitable Will….

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I went to my mother’s Facebook page to check on her health and well-being recently.  After the 2013 fallout, my mother and I haven’t spoken on video or by voice in half-a-decade.  Regrets? Absolutely not.  It takes two to tango.  However, the health of my mother is always important.

Her first post was of my brother — an individual who has hated me since I was a child.  Hot-headed, angry, know-it-all/alpha mask possessing individual who’s following similar footsteps of his father.  He was featured on Fox5News in Las Vegas.  Being an avid drummer and always have been for years, music has always been in his heart.  Having taught at high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, apparently he had auditioned for the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team — and got the job.  During one of the openings of last year’s playoff game against I-HAVE-NO-IDEA, I saw someone wearing glowing, neon glasses while drumming who had a beard similar to what my brother normally flaunts.  Indeed, it was my brother.  I was super proud of him.

Two years ago, he had sent me a message, berating me with derogatory slurs and yelling, “don’t come back to Vegas! Mom doesn’t wanna see you! Your sisters hate you!”

I laughed and felt sorry for him.  Since those 1995, Mega Man X days where he would beat me up on the SNES and tell my parents that I did wrong, he still has an impenetrable amount of hostility that’s tormenting him inside.

During the recent interview in the link above, I can still see it in his eyes.  Hearing him speak with the freakish looking smile and saying, “it’s about being positive,” or somewhere on the lines, is what I would always see before he unleashed an unfathomable amount of hell upon me and spew rhetoric at my siblings.  He was a power junkie and always has been — very different from what my father used to be, to be honest.

Nonetheless, I told my siblings, and the last time I spoke with them back in the summer of 2016, that I would never speak to Steven Buck again for as long as I live.  It was time to finally move on.  Wish him the best in his future endeavors, but enough was enough.  Gary Vee says drop your loser friends and family members, and my brother, who was the antagonist of every story, has never been supportive.

But please don’t let this confuse any of you.  Holding a grudge against anyone is ridiculous, and this is why I forgave him from within and sent the rest to the universe.  He doesn’t need to know that I forgave him, nor would he care, but it’s for my own peace of mind.

You know, going through the battles I’ve gone through, especially living in Thailand, it’s perspective.

Do you know how lonely I felt being in a household where everyone hated me? I was the “selfish” one for not saving money.  I was the bad son for not giving my mom 25% of my salary while living overseas by myself.  Going through that dimension of it, and then battling the racial discrimination in these borders? 150 jobs denied me because I was BLACK.

Could you imagine not having anyone to go to in terms of that?

You can’t.  The brute force and nature of it all id unprecedented. But how did I go through it? Was it the motive? The purpose, as Napoleon Hill has said before? How did I flip it from a push to a pull? How did I go from a negative mindset to a positive mindset? How did I go from getting by at the beginning of this year, to becoming financially independent by next year? I’m still trying to piece it together.

One thing is apparent, however, and it’s the fact that I have an indomitable will.

Podcast

Special Blog: Arsenio’s Entrepreneurial Journey from 2016-Now

Special Blog: Arsenio’s Entrepreneurial Journey from 2016-Now

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Ok, you guys wanted it, and here it is.

At the beginning of 2016, I started a podcast.  Keep in mind that my followers on Twitter were LOSER sex tourists and my online persona, up to that point, was not very good.  I constantly focused on the negative and the victimization of being a “black” teacher in Thailand.

Then came the man — also known as Napoleon Hill.  Who’s Napoleon Hill? Well, you’ll have to google him, but this man ended up teaching me everything that I either had lost, or was completely unaware of.  Those books became my podcasts in the beginning and that ended up pushing away the majority of those “losers” who followed me online.

Then came the Jack Canfield book, most notably — Principle #5: Believe In Yourself.  While reading this just before my trip to Vietnam, I was reduced to tears.  At that moment, there was a shift in my entire biochemistry, indicating that this victimhood no longer serves you.  Getting rid of it didn’t happen overnight, but this was the beginning.

Lisa Nichols’ Abundance now came next, along with a few others, including Tim Ferriss’ 4-Hour Work Week and a couple of others.  This was the beginning of the new me.

In 2017, I began to rebel.  Hell, it started a couple months before.  My work, which wasn’t suitable for me anymore, wasn’t fair in terms of work allocation.  Some teachers got more work based on pre-conceived notions that they were better than other teachers.  So, I told myself, even in early 2016, that I would start working outside to gain more notoriety and build a brand that I didn’t know I was building at the time.  One after another, projects after projects, and “NO! I DON’T WANT YOUR CLASS IN THE MORNING!” — after another.  This probably was my downfall at the company because I constantly denied work from them, leading to my ultimate plunge and being the “last in line” and the “dark little brother,” however, this was the beginning of my new life.

In October of 2017, I got removed from teaching at Toshiba in Pathumthani, citing me for the most outrageous comments imaginable that were completely untrue and irrelevant to my moving.  Somebody had a bone to pick, and with two other white teachers, one having an insane amount of complaints, I was the odd one out (in a very unprofessional way).  That following weekend, it was the comment “if you want to continue working here we need to have a meeting” that sent shivers of disgust, threats, and “Arsenio, it’s time to get the hell out of here” down my back.  That moment, I made up in my mind that I was too good for these folks.

No one knew, but after learning that I had moved to the other side of town, they knew what was happening.  I cancelled, didn’t want class, and want to be away from that place as much as possible because it gave me chest pains — literally.

At the same time, I was grinding and trying to find work.  There were people saying “oh, this company decided this teacher over you because you’re white” and other deplorable comments. I knew I would scrape the bottom-of-the-barrel in regards to finding suitable language centers, but i kept at it.

Then March came.  Job offers came over the next two months along with entrepreneurs, a content writer, and hundreds of other things.

At the beginning of the year, I made goals list.  I made goals list for each category of my wheel of life, pin-pointing things that I wanted to do and how I wanted to grow.  To this date, I’ve not only achieved those marks, but I think in some categories, like the social circle and personal development, I’m two years ahead.

I have a content writer, social circle consisting of graphic designers, mentors, marketing execs and coaches, double podcasts website that’s sky-rocketing, YouTube that’s climbing, messages and comments saying thank you.

In all of that, do you think this could’ve happened if I didn’t leave that old place of work? No way.  I needed to leave there to create flow of goodness and change in my life.

See, the majority of the time, you guys get stuffed up in the now and personal wants.  You’re control by the mainstream media, dying relationships, loser friends, terrible jobs.  However, if you can just come to the awareness that if you let these things go, you will attract to you everything in life that you need to take you to the next level.

That’s a promise.

Upon the magnificent New Years, I’m literally positioning myself as the top ESL podcaster on the planet.  I’m owning hashtags on Instagram.  I’m teaching people all over the world and people want my services.  See how that works? And this all came because I dumped an employer in F.E.A.R of not getting a new job.

Face FEAR.

Traveling Pod: Episode 8 – Head-Scratching Trip

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Boy, documenting means everything because I can show everyone what I see what my own eyes.  Hooves of pigs hanging from shops, chicken feet right there on the sidewalk, an dan insane stench around every corner of the street.

What I just realized is as I’m writing this, I see a puff of black smoke that was let off by a passing by ship.  This relates to us descending in Hong Kong just yesterday.  As we were going down, we were going through a heavy amount of yellow smoke.  I thought it was dirty clouds (lol), but in fact, that was the smoke either from China, or the pollution from these ships.  AMAZING.

I walked into McDonalds (yes, after seeing what I mentioned above, I just want something that’s familiar) to buy some food and they were acting very odd.  I mean you can’t expect much apparently with customer service in any part of HK or China in general, but the cashier was so terrified to touch my hand when I was giving her change.  She pulled back her hand more and more and I was just dumbstruck at the whole ordeal.  After that, there was a man behind the counter who slammed my soda and my bag on the counter before slamming the piece of paper.

Just weird stuff. I’ve never seen any of this happen before in my life.  It’s all very new to me.  It doesn’t make them good or bad people, but after that happened, I sought refuge at my hotel and didn’t leave for the rest of the night.

I’m a little scared to go around at the moment, just because the amount of weird looks and things I’ve been seeing in general.  So, to reset my mind and everything that has happened, I decided to stay in for the evening and just relax. I don’t want to see anyone or anything for the rest of the day, do some meditation and working on me — just as I do continuously out there in my home in Thailand. So, let’s hope the next one to my travel blog is much better.

Interviewee #15 – Moustafa Sano On Fitness, Learning Five Languages, & Fitting In

Interviewee #15 – Moustafa Sano On Fitness, Learning Five Languages, & Fitting In

It was an afternoon when I received a few video messages in my Instagram inbox.  Here was a guy that I’ve never met before sending me videos.  I was a bit adamant in terms of opening those videos, but I’m glad I did because it ended up  being one of the most inspirational guys ever!

 

Get in touch with Moustafa Sano of Malaysia

– About fitting in, learning 5 languages and fitness.

 

Links:

 

Things we discussed:

  • Rite of passage in our pre – teen years.
  • Different cultures, values and morals.
  • Understanding of other cultures are important.
  • People’s stories because people deserve to be listened to.
  • Different cultures have different ways of communication.
  • Pain turned to sports without realising it was self – expression to pain.
  • Self – image is important.
  • Need to have an empathy.
  • Fitness is important.
  • Don’t keep your pain inside you.
  • Pain is another key to success.
  • Racial tension or racism in Malaysia.
  • Learning Malay language (Bahasa) through playing football within his neighbourhood.
  • Languages are a way to bridge the gap between foreigners and locals.
  • Talking about personal development on “empathy”.
  • Benefits of reading – how you contextualise?
  • Personal development books that change your life and skills.
  • Pain is a good form of motivation.
  • Being proactive vs reactive.
  • Motivation comes from your morals and values and live life through your imagination.
  • The best way to learn a languages is by getting yourself outside — not by writing.
  • Learn about people’s languages.
  • Watching movies and listening to podcasts.
  • Learning different cultural – expressions through watching movies.
  • Talking about paradigm shifting of habits to growth.
  • Read more, talk more and train or challenge your brain to keep yourself fit in terms of spirituality.
  • The power of giving.
  • Believe in your words.
  • Life filled with fulfilment when you give people more.
  • The impact that you try to give to this world and the people.
  • The purpose of suffering and pain.

 

Thank you for listening!

 

Thank you so much for joining me for this podcast. Please do write down some feedbacks and comments. Please do share this podcast to your social media.

 

Links:

 

Podcast

Bizarre Comments Still Lead To Widespread Racism In Pathumthani, Thailand

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As one of my ex-colleagues sat in my air-conditioned condo, sipping on a fine black stout, he went on to tell me a story that was quite disturbing.  Make that two stories….and these stories must be heard.

First, the language center I used to work for has two managers: a Thai and a foreign one.  With this comes a lot of issues, but like I said in the past, the lady was always a racist.

She told my colleague, “honestly (insert name), if students don’t want a black teacher, we can’t use your friend.”

This was the story of my life in the racially driven province known as Pathumthani.  The amount of xenophobia in this area, is sickening.  This is what I had to battle everyday of my life, let alone foreign sex/wife tourists that have flocked to this country to pay for a wife.

Moving forward (since you guys know this redundant story), he told me he was drinking a cocktail at a bar recently when there was a sudden outburst of racism from a British sex tourist: “you’re a scammer! Who are you talking to? Let me see your phone! Scammer scammer!”

Wow….a man literally sipping on his drinking in an open-air bar, dressed to impressed is now ridiculed and yelled at by another anglo, spouting “scammer.”

See, all the stories I’ve told you are no fabrications.  What i had to endure in that heinous province is completely true.

But, ok…..sure, “racism is everywhere” commenters will try justifying and shoving these extreme forms of bigotry underneath the rug.  My question is “what can you do to fix it?” That’s my REAL question.

Take The Leap

Honestly, I’m not exactly sure how my ex-colleague can put up with this.  From his stories about moving into an apartment when the landlord didn’t want to let him move in because he’s black, to these recent stories.  When will he say “enough is enough?”  Honestly, it’s a horrendous atmosphere and it just seems like he’s bombarded by hell all the time. If it’s not the likes of Air Asia, who consistently racial profiles blacks; it’s the schools, old sex tourists from England, or other people in the area.

Remember, guys….THIS IS where I lived! If you listened to my podcasts from about a year ago, you will have heard me talking about the same issues.  It’s just a racially plagued area, because since I’ve been living in Bangkok, all that ignorance is GONE.  I don’t have to prove myself anymore to anyone, especially to my students.  The parents don’t give me dirty looks on Saturday, they smile instead.  The students don’t look at me crazy, nor are they terrified when they see me in the hallway.  The front desk love me because I have a personality and the director is AWESOME.

Not only that, but working at the biggest bank in Thailand, teaching regional managers, Japanese students, doctors, nurses, you name it! All of this is unattached to racism.

So, if I saw things such as that continuously happening to me, I would absolutely leave that area.  This is 2018…..blacks shouldn’t have to prove themselves over whites.  Period.