Racism in the KSA.

Our cleaning lady was grossly maltreated today. This was someone who is hard-working, very honest, very loyal to the company, who has been working with us since the company first started here. And she was accused by the new director of trying to steal something that was lost JUST BECAUSE SHE HAPPENS TO BE BLACK.

Well look at that. The last thing I would expect in a place where people would more likely make fun of a Bengali or a Filipina than a Habashiyah. Apparently, racism is not exclusive.

This isn't something new. Anyone who has lived here for more than a few months is probably familiar with this kind of racism from the locals. If you're not Saudi (or if you don't at least speak like one), or you're not a Westerner (read: LOOK like their idea of a Westerner, i.e. blond with colored eyes), you might as well be a piece of shit.

You are treated like shit, anyway. At the workplace, you don't have as many benefits as your Saudi counterparts. At shops or restaurants, they look at you as if you can't afford anything. Blah blah blah, that old racist story.

I'm trying to not let this get me down, be proactive and all. But how does one treat racists? Hate begets hate, so if you're trying to stop the vicious cycle, what should you do?