[no]WURries: ‘I was called names’

Make friends

It is a pity to see this happening in an international city like Wageningen. I would advise you to see them as they are: children. It is the hate propaganda in the West against China that is to blame, not those kids. I would be gentle with them and explain the situation. That way you might even make friends with these kids.

Dr Xiaoyong Zhang, WUR China Coordinator 

Join the Anti-Racism Association

‘Thank you for your courage in sharing this experience! Unfortunately, you are not the only one to experience this. There has been a sharp increase in racist abuse against ourAsian students and residents this last year. We, the Anti-Racism Association, continuously work with the university and municipality to push back against racism and ignorance. In April, for example, we helped organize a Stop Asian Hate dialogue. We are here to create a community where everyone can feel safe and welcome. You can contact us via our social media or arawageningen@gmail.com and join us in a safe space to share, process and, if you want to, fight back!’

Sophia Weituschat and Percy Cicilia Jr., Anti-Racism Association Wageningen 

Make a lot of noise

‘Great that you are drawing attention to this! I would advise you to make a lot more noise about it. Mobilize your Chinese friends and acquaintances and sound the alarm wherever you can. Get in touch with the Student Council, for example, the Executive Board of WUR, the municipal council and a local paper like De Gelderlander. And ask Resource to interview you and other Chinese students about how it feels to be harassed because of your appearance. Discrimination against Chinese students is not a new problem in Wageningen, it is just not often discussed. Maybe you can change that by protesting loudly.’

Lieke de Kwant, study advisor at Development Studies

Talk to them

‘What an upsetting thing to happen. Children of that age don’t realize what kind of impact words like that can have. They probably wouldn’t want to hurt you, but they find that sort of thing funny when they are in a group. The best reaction in my view is to make clear to the children in reasonable tones that such comments are hurtful. That way you bring the problem out into the open and hopefully the children will realize how much effect their words have.’

Manon Zegveld, financial secretary at Cell Biology and Immunology

Prepare a response

‘You’ve already taken the first step by speaking up about the unkind impact of what the kids shouted. For guidelines and a listening ear with personal issues or unacceptable behaviour, you can contact the confidential advisors or the student psychologists at WUR. If you call me, we will look together at what hurts and what you need, and together we will look for a response that is right for you so you know how you want to react if something like that ever happens to you again.’

Anke van Oostveen, confidential advisor

Next WURry: How can I supervise my fellow students as a student assistant?

Do you have advice for this Wurrier? Or could you use some good advice yourself? Email your tips or your question (100 words max) by 27 May to resource@wur.nl, subject line noWURries.

Also read:

[no]WURries: Flight Shame

[no]WURries: A reserved colleague

[no]WURries: Disrespectful communicating