A 29-year-old Indian man has taken to Reddit to share his unsettling experience of facing racial discrimination in New Zealand, a country he initially perceived as multicultural and welcoming. Under the username “Lopsided_Tennis69,” he reflected on his two-year journey in the country, expressing disappointment at the lack of acceptance he encountered.
In his post, the man revealed that despite his hopeful expectations, his reality has been marred by instances of racism. He described experiencing verbal harassment from strangers, receiving rude comments about his accent, and feeling excluded in social situations. “I’ve faced more racism than I expected. Sometimes it’s subtle, like people talking over me, and other times it’s blatant, like being told to ‘go back to where I came from,’” he shared.
Despite his efforts to assimilate into New Zealand’s culture, the man expressed feelings of exhaustion and alienation. “I never felt like an outsider growing up in India, but here, even after two years, I feel like I don’t fully belong,” he stated. He opened up about the mental toll this experience has taken on him, pondering whether he made the right choice in relocating to New Zealand.
In his post, he sought advice from others who might have faced similar challenges after moving abroad. “How do you handle the mental toll of this, and does it get any better over time?” he asked. The post has since garnered nearly 1,500 upvotes, with many users sharing their own experiences of racism in various countries.
Commenters provided a range of advice and solidarity. One user, a flight attendant, noted that subtle racism is a global issue and encouraged him to focus on building a supportive social circle. Another user highlighted the phenomenon of microaggressions, suggesting that similar attitudes can be found in many parts of the world, including India. A few users recounted their own experiences of racism and how it affected their decisions to stay or leave the countries where they faced discrimination.
This online exchange underscores the challenges many immigrants face when navigating cultural differences and prejudice in foreign lands. As this young man seeks to find his place in New Zealand, his story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and the importance of community support in overcoming such adversities.
