I believe in letting potential employers know my skin colour as soon as possible to avoid problems further down the line.

I do the opposite, to let them have as many problems as possible with me if they are racist employers!

I understand you. But if I did what you say I would also be creating problems for myself. I send a photo because I don't want to waste my time with racist employers; I don't want anything to do with them.

You won't stop racism by being compliant to those employers who aren't racist.

I don't understand this point.

Take on those who are. Change doesn't come by waiting for it to happen nor by ducking out of challenging racists. Give them big headaches. We should be proud to be black, and they ashamed to be racist. Let's make them feel so!

It's because I am proud to be black that I always send a photo that shows clearly my blackness to potential employers. 90% of employers in China require a photo from applicants. I think it sucks, but I feel that if I don't send a photo it's as if I'm trying to hide my blackness; as if I'm ashamed of it. By not sending it would be like I'm expecting to fail by sending my photo. Being black is a large part of what defines me, so I want every employer to know what they're getting from the get go, and I still expect to be successful because I don't believe that all Chinese employers dicriminate against blacks and I believe in myself (including my black self!)

Many schools in China will give you a job without a face to face interview. If I travelled halfway across the world or China expecting to start a job only to hear the employer telling me I'm not wanted because I'm black, there would likely be trouble. I would not be a happy bunny and a big arguement would probably ensue because the employers would not like what I said to them. Would it make them change their mindset? maybe it would, or maybe it would just reinforce any negative stereotypes they have of blacks. I don't think it's worth my time and money to change their thinking using a method that creates at least as much trouble for me than it does them. I've got a living to make and a wife. That kind of nonsense is not needed or necessary.

I agree that we should challenge racists but I believe in using different methods than you. I present myself as best I can by promoting my strengths. Knowing that I'm black, and also seeing my long and successful experience in China and positive attitude coming through in my applications, some racists may rethink their prejudiced opinions.

If I was in my home country, England, and I came across one too many racist employers, I may consider getting involved in the kind of protest you believe in, but China is not my country; I was not born here. If some Chinese people/ employers (and it is only some) want to be that way that's their business and their country. I will only confront racism if I actually come face to face with it.