The first thing I thought of reading this was how you could write the exact same about the rural midwest US. I was the only kid in my class who had ever seen a black person face to face, and that was because I lived in Florida first. My grandma still calls to warn us to stay inside if a non-white person is spotted near town (usually a utilities guy fixing power lines). They just have no experience with the wider world and know only the stereotypes they echo back and forth to each other.
The peace corp warning does a good job framing it as it is, but it’s important to remember that “innocent” ignorance can still carry real violence and hatred.
Yuuuup. Mom came from a small Midwest town. Only black person was the town gardener. Incredibly sheltered and literally did not know any black people.
When she moved it was the best thing that happened to her. (Own words)
She had a black friend where she moved and was shocked to see her harassed by a store owner. When she asked her friend about it she said “girl this is every day”.
Profound life changing experience but not everyone is willing to change and learn.
For me it brought back memories of volunteering for a development agency as a white European in rural Cambodia.
Most people from the villages who came to the hospital I worked at had never seen a white person. Many were scared of me and my colleague because they were convinced we were ghosts. Every day people were pointing at me and shouting over the whole street or the market “Look! A white person!!” (Not in so polite words, though). And often small street stalls and businesses refused to talk to us, because they didn’t stop/listen long enough to realise I try to speak Cambodian (Khmai) with them.
I’m not saying this is racism towards me, a white person. But I feel the reaction towards the “unknown” might be similar.