A cello teacher took to social media to call out a student’s parent who expressed concerns about the “stench” left in her child’s clothes after lessons.
“‘I was wondering if during lesson time anyone in your house has been perhaps cooking? Antonio’s clothes always seem to have a somewhat ethnic stench to them. Takes more than one wash to get them out,”‘ the parent is quoted as writing in an email to the teacher.
The parent went on to write “Don’t want him smelling Indian in public!”
The comments angered the teacher who posted them under the heading “White people are so subtly racist. This is an email I just received from a student’s mother.”
Some on social media are questioning whether the email exchange is real. Twitter has since suspended the original poster’s account. Others called out the teacher for blanketing the racist label on all Whites. Still others agreed with her, clearly relating to her issue.
One person sarcastically responded “My clothes always smells like french fries and coleslaw.
Another wrote “so it’s a problem to smell “indian” but not like wet dog???”
A third wrote “that ethnic stench is called seasoning.”
Many Asian students may have experienced ridicule in school over the lunch they brought from home.
For whatever reason, food smells are a trigger point for some. What has your experience been with various smells?
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
