“I often hear racist, offensive comment on streets”

As an Asian woman living in the Netherlands, I often hear racist, offensive comment on streets when I am walking by myself. It makes me very upset and angry. Today I actually chased the offenders and wanted to tell them to stop harassing minorities on street, but I was too angry to the point I would cry and attack them verbally, so I took deep breath and walked away.

What irritates me the most is they use offensive comment about Chinese people to me and I am Japanese! I mean at least insult me for who I am and where I come from! These over-generalizations based on one’s appearance is very hurtful and offensive. Each time these street racial harassment incidents happen, I tell myself that next time this happens, I will stay calm and confront them in civilized manner; tell them what they did is offensive and disrespectful, but I get too angry and lose the ability to deal with the situation calmly.

Also it does not help that it always catches me off-guard; it happens when I am just walking and minding my own business. I wish I knew what is the right procedure to deal with this situation; report to the police, file complaint to anti-discriminatory organization, give the offenders piece of my mind?

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

I hope people will be more aware that harassing people and insulting people on street is a serious offense. I hope it will be taken as seriously by police as giving parking tickets.

– M.L.

Location: Amsterdam city center, Haarlem station and city center